Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index 2009

Despite working longer hours, American business owners are the most satisfied workers, according to the latest research from Gallup. The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shows that entrepreneurs are happier than managers and workers in any other sector or profession, although they are not always the highest paid.

The ability to control their work environment is a critical aspect of their satisfaction score, with entrepreneurs scoring a clear 16 percentage points higher on Work Environment.

Such freedom is often cited by entrepreneurs as a motivating factor, and this research suggests that long hours spent working on a project which the business owner is passionate about may be well rewarded.