GoKawiilNature survey: 61% of scientists report job satisfaction despite pay concerns
Nature's 2026 job satisfaction survey of nearly 4,000 scientists across 133 countries found 61% at least moderately satisfied with their jobs, with about 75% optimistic or neutral about career prospects and 65% willing to recommend research careers to students. Salary ranked seventh of eight satisfaction factors, behind meaningful work, work-life balance, job security and research funding. The survey also found men more optimistic than women (56% versus 44%) and no significant satisfaction gap between industry and academic scientists, despite industry pay being 66% higher on average.