Above and Minimum: A Comparative Study on the Mental Health and Job Satisfaction among Wage Earners

This study examines mental health and job satisfaction with work in above- and minimum wage earners. Similar findings show low mental health for both income scales. All income brackets show some concern, though not much higher than average. Depression is slightly higher among those earning above the minimum wage. Both income groups struggle with behavioral control, suggesting that concentrated interventions may improve coping and stress management. Lower levels of positive affect emphasize the importance of workplace emotional well-being regardless of income. The research suggests that above-minimum wage and minimum wage mental health are not statistically different. The report shows that job satisfaction is good across income brackets. Average job satisfaction is marginally higher for those earning above minimum wage. This group exhibits greater intrinsic job satisfaction, an indication of life contentment, suggesting a tendency for income and intrinsic job satisfaction to increase together. Earning above the minimum wage promotes extrinsic satisfaction, or non-work-related contentment. The study concluded that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to a productive workplace, emphasizing the need of considering issues beyond monetary compensation. The findings from this study will contribute to analyzing mental health and job satisfaction differences between above minimum wage earners and minimum wage earners.