PENGARUH MOTIVASI KERJA TERHADAP KINERJA KARYAWAN MELALUI KEPUASAN KERJA SEBAGAI VARIABEL MODERASI ( Studi Pada Karayawan Dinas Kehutanan Kabupaten Kutai Timur )

This study aims to analyze the effect of work motivation on employee performance with job satisfaction as a moderating variable at the East Kutai Regency Forestry Service. The problem raised is that performance targets, motivation job, and employee job satisfaction have not been achieved based on the 2022 performance evaluation. This research uses a quantitative approach with a survey method, distributing questionnaires to respondents. The sampling technique in this study was a saturated sample technique totaling 45 respondents which become the total sample. Data analysis was carried out using the Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) technique with scale range using SPSS 25. The results showed that work motivation has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. Job satisfaction also has a positive and significant effect on employee performance. In addition, job satisfaction is proven to be able to moderate (strengthen) the relationship between work motivation and employee performance. This indicates that employees who are motivated and satisfied with their jobs tend to show higher performance. This finding implies that providing the right motivation and increasing job satisfaction is important in improving employee performance in government agencies.