Study: 60 percent of U.S. workers would take half the pay for a job they love

Cash is crucial, but so are meaningful benefits, opportunities, flexibility and recognition.

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How much money would it take to make you happy at a job you despise?

According to a recent study conducted by Lexington Law, there might not be enough zeroes in the world. Conversely, the research yields a startling find: “Sixty percent of Americans would take a job they love with half their current income over a job they hated that doubled their current income.” (That’s a factor of four; we did the math.)

Lexington Law also finds that “Americans are twice as likely to value personal interests, benefits, company culture and growth opportunities over salary when choosing a job.”

Some are more willing to endure a terrible job in the pursuit of lucre, however. Of the 2,000 respondents, millennials and Gen Xers are the group most likely to choose a soul-sucking job (with double the income). Baby Boomers and women are more likely to opt for a job they’re passionate about—even with a 50 percent pay cut.

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