Pinoy workers want more despite salary satisfaction – survey

Manila, Philippines - A survey conducted by Jobstreet by SEEK reveals that while most Filipinos consider themselves fairly compensated, only 60% of workers are satisfied with their current pay, despite 80% feeling that their salaries are fair. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 employees, indicates that there is a disconnect between perceived pay fairness and actual salary satisfaction.

Among those who feel their salary is fair, only 44% are content with their compensation, highlighting the importance of factors beyond industry benchmarks in shaping salary satisfaction. These factors include workload, feelings of being rewarded, and the ability of the salary to sustain one's lifestyle. Salary satisfaction is a significant motivator for Filipinos, with those who are happy with their pay being 2.2 times more likely to feel motivated and put in extra effort at work, but 2.9 times more likely to actively seek new employment if dissatisfied.

Furthermore, 28% of surveyed employees would consider relocating for a 10% salary increase, but they are less likely to abandon a positive workplace environment for a toxic culture to achieve such a raise. The report suggests that employers should focus not only on providing competitive pay but also on offering meaningful recognition, clear career pathways, and open discussions about growth to create engaged, future-ready teams.

In terms of industry, technology workers reported the highest level of salary satisfaction at 54%, followed by construction workers at 50%. However, industrial workers had the lowest pay satisfaction, with 58% feeling their earnings were insufficient for their cost-of-living needs. Millennials reported the lowest level of salary satisfaction at 54%, compared to 61% among Gen Z and 60% among Gen X. Even among those who are satisfied with their pay, 54% of millennials feel their salaries still fall short of their cost-of-living needs.