QUALITY SYSTEMS AND ANALYTICS
Generational Shifts in Public Health Laboratories
By Sudaba Parnian Ahmadi , MS , MBA , senior manager , Quality Systems and Analytics ; Hendrick Todd Ruitman , MA , consultant , Quality Systems and Analytics ; Somaye Sarvarzade , MA , senior specialist , Quality Systems and Analytics ; and Lorelei Kurimski , MS , senior director , Data Science and Management , Quality Systems and Analytics
Public health laboratories are changing , driven by generational shifts that are shaping the workforce . Since 2016 , APHL has been gathering insights through periodic Workforce Profile surveys . After the initial 2016 survey , follow-ups were conducted in 2022 and 2024 . As Baby Boomers retire , Millennials have stepped in to fill the gap , with Generation X maintaining a stable presence . While Generation Z is just beginning to emerge , their numbers remain small but noteworthy . This generational evolution brings significant implications for workforce satisfaction , retention and leadership dynamics .
3.10
3.00
2.90
2.80
2.70
Who ’ s in the Laboratory Today ?
The 2016 , 2022 and 2024 Workforce Profiles reveal clear generational trends ( Figure 1 ). Baby Boomers now represent only 10 % of the workforce , a sharp decline from 36 % in 2016 . Millennials have grown to 47 %, up from 26 %, while Generation X has remained steady , comprising around one-third of the workforce . Though Generation Z has only recently entered the workforce , their 10 % representation in 2024 signals a growing presence that will shape the future .
50 % 45 % 40 % 35 %
2.60
2.50 |
|
2016 |
2022 |
2024 |
1 Baby Boomers |
2.84 |
2.92 |
3.01 |
2 Gen X |
2.82 |
2.73 |
2.84 |
3 Millennials |
3.06 |
2.76 |
2.80 |
1 Baby Boomers 2 Gen X 3 Millennials
Figure 2 . Rate your satisfaction with your organization ( e . g . facility , work environment , etc .
What Drives Performance and Growth ?
Performance indicators , such as work environment , engagement and development opportunities , reflected generational distinctions . Millennials showed different trends / levels of agreement in their responses to key items ( Table 1 ).
30 % 25 % 20 % 15 % 10 % 5 % 0 %
2016 2022 2024
Baby Boomers Gen X Millennials Generation Z
Figure 1 . Trending workforce generational composition .
How Do Generations Feel About Their Jobs ?
Overall job satisfaction , salary satisfaction and organizational satisfaction declined from 2016 to 2022 , likely influenced by the pandemic ( Figure 2 ). By 2024 , satisfaction levels stabilized , yet generational nuances persisted . Baby Boomers reported increasing satisfaction across survey years , while Millennials consistently showed lower satisfaction levels than their older peers . For Generation X , satisfaction improved significantly between 2022 and 2024 , highlighting potential resilience or adaptations unique to this cohort .
Table 1 . Key performance indicators of workforce satisfaction across generations .
30 LAB MATTERS Spring 2025
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