Here’s a good way to kick off the new year: a survey on what American workers would like to have in a job.

The national poll, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, surveyed 1,200 adults age 18 and older between October 24 and November 4, 2007, on the benefits and characteristics that may be important in choosing a job. Here’s what the survey found:

• Eighty-four percent of Americans ranked health insurance at the very top.
• Job security and clear policies and procedures (82 percent each) were ranked next in importance, followed by a retirement or pension plan (76 percent) and a flexible, family-friendly workplace in fifth place (71 percent).
• Pay ranked No. 10 on the list, with 65 percent, trailing such matters as getting quick decisions on issues (69 percent); working with talented managers (68 percent); having the potential for promotions (66 percent); and being creative and intellectually stimulated (66 percent).

The report also noted some clear differences in what workers at different career stages found important. For example, some 74 percent of workers ages 18-29 indicated that the potential for promotion was very important, compared with only 58 percent of baby boomers (ages 42-61) who feel that way.

Not surprisingly, the survey also found that Americans believe that “jobs in state and local government offer better benefits, better job security and better opportunities for promotion” than in the private sector. But some 60 percent of those surveyed felt that private sector employment offers “better opportunities for encouraging innovation and creativity” (only 11 percent felt that was true in government employment). Fifty-two percent say that private sector work offers “the opportunity to work with the best and brightest people” (12 percent said this was true in public sector work).

This report doesn’t break a lot of new ground, but it is another indicator that health care is a huge issue for American workers. That’s something the many presidential candidates slugging it out would do well to keep in mind.