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Economy & Jobs

SMU researchers find U.S. jobs more stressful but offer more autonomy

Researchers at SMU's Department of Economics co-authored a study analyzing U.S. job characteristics from 2008 to 2025. They found psychological demands in the average job rose 1.5% while decision latitude increased 3%, but workers were not compensated with higher wages for increased stress.

Where
Statewide
When
Not stated in sources
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Fabien Postel-VinayResearch professor in SMU Department of Economics, study co-author
  • Grégory JolivetStudy co-author, University of Bristol and Institute for Fiscal Studies
  • SMU Department of EconomicsInstitution conducting research

The facts

  • Study examined 481 occupations using U.S. Department of Labor O*NET database and Current Population Survey data from 2008 to 2025.1
  • Psychological demands in average job rose 1.5% over past two decades.1
  • Decision latitude in average job increased 3% over same period.1
  • Workers received no corresponding wage compensation for increased psychological demands.1
  • Jobs with greater physical demands were associated with lower wages.1
  • Jobs offering greater decision latitude tended to pay more.1
  • Women reported working in more psychologically demanding, autonomous jobs than men on average.1

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Fabien Postel-Vinay Most job stress increase is within occupations, not workers switching jobs.1
  • Fabien Postel-Vinay Labor market frictions prevent workers from moving to ideal jobs regarding stress compensation.1
  • Fabien Postel-Vinay Gender well-being gap between men and women has remained stable despite wage gap narrowing.1

Sources

Outlets: 2 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. American Jobs Offer More Autonomy -- and More Stress | Newswise Newswise Not rated, October 28, 2026
  2. American jobs offer more autonomy—and more stress Phys.org Not rated, October 29, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

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Keep reading

Houston-area construction employment rises 5 percent in 12 months

Construction employment in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro area increased by 13,800 jobs (5 percent) between September 2025 and September 2026, according to an analysis of government employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Associated General Contractors of America, analyzed government employment data; Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Census data shows Texas median household income lagged nation in 2025

The U.S. Census Bureau released 2025 data showing Texas median household income at $82,625, up slightly from 2024 but below the national median of $84,780. Income growth was uneven across regions and demographic groups, while housing cost burdens remained high.

Median property tax bill for homeowners without mortgages shrank 4.2% from 2024 to 2025; bill was essentially flat for homeowners with mortgages.

U.S. Census Bureau, released 2025 household income and poverty data

One outletOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

WalletHub ranks Texas eighth-best state for finding a job

WalletHub ranked Texas as the eighth-best state for finding a job based on a survey comparing all 50 states across 34 indicators of job-market strength and economic health.

WalletHub, conducted job market ranking survey; Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, reported on Texas employment; Luis Torres, Dallas Fed senior business economist and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas pumpkin prices rise following lower than average harvest due to drought

Texas pumpkin prices increased following a lower than average harvest caused by drought conditions across the state over the summer. Pumpkin production in Floyd County, the Pumpkin Capital of Texas, was down 30 to 40 percent due to drought.

Caleb Neri, H-Town Pumpkin Patch owner; Bernadette Woods Placky, Executive director of Talking Climate Collaborative

One outletFound via Google News

Texas Women's Foundation report shows women earn 81 cents per dollar men earn

The Texas Women's Foundation released a report tracking women's economic indicators across Texas. The report finds women working full-time earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, down from 83 cents in the previous report. Childcare access is identified as the biggest barrier to economic opportunity.

nearly $12,000 for average cost of center-based infant care per year in Texas

Texas Women's Foundation, organization that conducted report; Karen Hughes White, president and CEO of Texas Women's Foundation; Every Texan, policy group that partnered on research

One outletFound via Google News

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