The primary goal of this study was to investigate, at a national level, the job satisfaction characteristics of higher education faculty of 5 different races. Data for this quantitative secondary analysis study were taken from the national study of postsecondary faculty (NSOPF) collected in the year 2004. The study used chi-square, one-way-ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The faculty’s job satisfaction was examined by applying Herzberg’s job satisfaction theory. The results of this study indicated some similarities and differences in job satisfaction characteristics of faculty by race. The analyses indicate that where achievement, recognition and responsibility are measured in terms of publications, funded research and number of committees served, Asian/Pacific Islander faculty members performed better than other races in this study. These factors significantly contribute to faculty’s intrinsic job satisfaction. It also appears from the analysis that the majority of faculty of all races was deriving satisfaction from extrinsic factors measured in terms of institutional policies, work climate and benefits.

 

Key words: Job satisfaction, higher education faculty, race, national study of postsecondary faculty.