Study: We'd Rather Like Where We Work Than What We Earn

NEW YORK (MainStreet) — Is cash really king in the workplace?

One can’t be blamed for thinking so. While pingpong tables and takeout dry cleaning services are nice workplace perks, they can’t pay the rent and won’t get you floor seats the next time Springsteen rolls into town.

But for young professionals, perhaps jaded by their heavy-spending baby boomer parents, salary is only one component in workplace “happiness” and may not even be the chief component.

In a report on the Top 20 Happiest U.S. Cities For Young Professionals, the jobs and workplace information hub CareerBliss.com says workplace “culture” seems to be a big priority with young professionals and that it really matters where workers live.

“Through our research, we have found that a positive company culture, which focuses on overall happiness and not just compensation, is key for young professionals,” says Heidi Golledge, co-founder of CareerBliss. “We have cities ranking higher even though some are paying less because they offer a happier life for employees who chose to live and work there.”

“This study reveals what really matters to folks in their career. It is vital for employers and young professionals to understand what factors impact their happiness so young professionals can feel empowered and know where to take their next career step or the employer can start to change their culture to create happiness,” Golledge says.

But why, especially in a tough economy, would workers favor environment over pay?

We asked Michael Crom, chief learning officer at Dale Carnegie Training, to weigh in on the issue. Here’s what he had to say: