Determinants of Job Satisfaction of Federal Government Employees

Abstract

What determines the job satisfaction of federal government employees? Using data reported in the Survey of Federal Government Employees, I propose and assess the argument that the job satisfaction of federal government employees is determined primarily by three sets of factors: job characteristics, organizational characteristics, and individual characteristics. The empirical findings show that job characteristics such as pay satisfaction, promotional opportunity, task clarity and significance, and skills utilization, as well as organizational characteristics such as organizational commitment and relationship with supervisors and co-workers have consistently significant effects on the job satisfaction of federal government employees. I also discuss the research and organizational implications of my findings.