HR & organizational behavior
Job satisfaction scale: what it is and how to measure it
- Concept
- Job Satisfaction
- Field
- HR & organizational behavior
- Scales in the library
- 1
- Items
- 3
Job satisfaction is the degree to which employees feel positively about their job in general. The concept is tied to Herzberg's two-factor theory, the job characteristics model, and social exchange theory. In human resource theses in Vietnam, job satisfaction is often a mediator between pay, leadership style, work environment, and turnover intention or organizational commitment. Popular topics: satisfaction of bank employees, teachers, nurses, and office workers.
Comparing the scales
| Scale | Author (year) | Items | Response format | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Job Satisfaction (JS) Overall job satisfaction (MOAQ) | Cammann, Fichman, Jenkins & Klesh (1979) | 3 | Likert 7-point | Choose when you need a short measure of overall satisfaction; 3 items, suited to models with many constructs and an already long questionnaire. |
Items of each scale
Original English wording from the published source. Replace placeholders such as [system] or
[brand] with what your study is about, and pilot the questionnaire with 20 to 30 respondents first.
Overall Job Satisfaction (JS) · Overall job satisfaction (MOAQ)
| Code | Item |
|---|---|
| JS1 | All in all, I am satisfied with my job. |
| JS2 (R) | In general, I don't like my job. |
| JS3 | In general, I like working here. |
Source: Cammann, Fichman, Jenkins & Klesh (1979). Response scale, licence and APA reference: Overall job satisfaction (MOAQ).
(R): reverse-coded item; recode before analysis. Overall job satisfaction (MOAQ): 1–7 scale: new score = 8 − score; 1–6 scale: new score = 7 − score; 1–5 scale: new score = 6 − score.
Tips
- Item JS2 is reverse-coded. On a 7-point scale, recode as 8 minus the score; on a 5-point scale, 6 minus the score.
- The MOAQ scale measures global satisfaction, not facets such as pay, coworkers, or supervisor. If your topic needs these facets, treat them as separate independent variables.
- With only 3 items, one weak item can pull alpha down. Pilot with 30 people before the main survey.
- Replace 'here' in JS3 with the unit name if you survey inside one company, so respondents understand the target.
Once you have a scale, put the concept in the research model drawer to state your hypotheses, work out the minimum sample size, and after data collection check reliability with the Cronbach's alpha calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 3-item job satisfaction scale enough for a thesis?
It is enough for a unidimensional construct when you run Cronbach's alpha and PLS-SEM. The MOAQ scale is widely used in international papers. If your committee asks for more items, you can add self-written items and state the source.
How do job satisfaction and work engagement differ?
Satisfaction is an evaluation of whether the job satisfies you. Work engagement (UWES) measures a state of energy, dedication, and absorption while working. The two are correlated but not identical.
Should I use a 5-point or 7-point scale?
The original uses 7 points. Many studies in Vietnam use 5 points for easier answering. Choose one scale, use it consistently across constructs, and state it in chapter 3.