There is not one person who doesn’t need or want more money. Whether it’s for a vacation or a new car, everyone appreciates a few extra dollars. However, is having a job that pays well but doesn’t offer anything else really the key to happiness?

While the term “happiness” differs from person to p

erson, I would say job satisfaction has more meaning. Yes, good wages can lead to job satisfaction and earning enough to make a living is important, but they aren’t the only reason employees find satisfaction in their jobs. It’s important to pursue a field that gives you personal happiness because if you can obtain a good pay, but you are not happy, then there’s no point.  

While money is a satisfaction factor in a job, it shouldn’t be the only factor driving a person to pursue a specific career. Nonetheless, it’s not to say that a good salary isn’t important because for some people it’s essential since they have a family to take care of or several bills to pay.

However, according to Alisa Wolfson, writing from the New York Post, “Getting a raise won’t make you hate your job any less.”

Essentially, if salary is the only motivation behind performing a job, then it is not a good match for you or your skills, which can eventually lead to poor performance. This domino effect can continue, which may lead to career termination, which would result in little to no salary and no job satisfaction.

Additionally, job satisfaction is ultimately more imp

ortant than a high salary because if employees are happy at work, they will put their best foot forward, which is less likely to happen if one pursues a career that does not satisfy them.

During the college application process, I often heard peers sayin they were planning on majoring in a specific subject in order to obtain a career with a hefty salary in the future.

While it’s understandable that a high salary is enticing, I couldn’t imagine driving to work every single morning to a job that I didn’t enjoy performing.

In fact, Wolfson said, “Making more money doesn’t always mean you’ll be happier at work.”

Pursuing a job that makes you content is crucial because it’s a part of your life forever.

Job satisfaction doesn’t only pertain to the work environment, but it helps you to be both personally and professionally content as well. At the end of the day we are working to lead our life peacefully. It’s possible to argue that one can travel overseas or buy several luxurious goods with a high salary job in order to be satisfied.

However, if you pursue a field or job that you enjoy, then you don’t need money to satisfy your wants because you are already happy.

Additionally, according to a study done by two economists from the University of Basel and published in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization revealed that wage increases do not have a persistent effect on job satisfaction.

It was found that job satisfaction was positively influenced by wage increases, but it was only temporary, typically lasting four years. This was due to the fact that people adapt to their new wage level over time and end up desiring more money.

Another side to this is that sometimes rewarding jobs may not always pay well at the beginning. Although, over time, the worker’s enthusiasm and dedication may lead to potential promotions, which can ultimately make the job a lucrative career.

Overall, job satisfaction has more weight and meaning than pursuing a job that offers a high salary. When thinking about the long run it’s important to be happy in your personal life, and that should never be based off a quantity or sum of money. After all, salary typically comes once a month, but job satisfaction stays with you every minute of the day.