Working with cannabis ranks among the happiest jobs

In a world where work so often means exhaustion, rush, and overload, there is a place where the routine smells like purpose, where shifts begin with smiles and end with the feeling that, yes, it was worth it. And, according to the latest Deputy platform survey, that place is the cannabis industry.

The annual Shift Pulse 2025 report analyzed over 1.5 million responses from hourly workers in the United States and revealed something surprising: professionals in the cannabis industry are the happiest among all evaluated economic sectors. Nothing less than 92% of them reported a positive perception about their jobs.

Working with cannabis: more meaning, not just salary

In a year where the overall job satisfaction index dropped, according to data, from over 80% in 2024 to 78.5% in 2025, seeing an emerging industry lead the happiness ranking is a breath of hope.

But what explains this remarkable joy? The report points to clues: a more cohesive work culture, competitive salaries, autonomy, predictability in day-to-day activities, and, above all, purpose.

Yes, for many of these workers, it's not just about selling products, but about participating in a social transformation. Cannabis, long criminalized and now rediscovered as a health ally, also seems to have the capacity to redefine the very idea of labor.

In addition to the marijuana industry, sectors such as e-cigarettes, coffee shops, buffets, and dentistry also ranked at the top of the list, with over 90% satisfaction. In contrast, areas like traditional pharmaceuticals, postal services, and animal health ranked among the unhappiest, with emotional well-being indexes below 15%.

According to Deputy, the happiest sectors have something in common: workers who feel control over their journeys, real connections with teams, and clarity about the impact of what they do. In other words, it's not just the salary that drives this joy, but the sense of belonging.

It's not easy, but it's light

The research also draws attention to a sensitive point: cannabis workers, despite their satisfaction, face real challenges. Federal prohibition still imposes barriers, especially in banking, forcing many establishments to operate in cash, increasing risks such as theft and insecurity.

Nevertheless, the overall feeling is one of progress. In states with more established legalization, workers have been seeking more guarantees, such as labor peace agreements and union protection. In Oregon, for instance, a state law requiring employer neutrality in unionization was recently revoked by a court decision.

Lessons that go beyond the sector

“Purpose, predictability, and a sense of control over the workday matter as much, if not more, than prestige or remuneration alone,” summarizes the report.

With information from Marijuana Moment.

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