While most women express ambition, only a small percentage report career advancement in the past year.

The annual SurveyMonkey Women at Work survey by CNBC uncovered a female workforce that is disillusioned with an increased workload and a lack of work-life balance, and is considering resignation.

A survey by SurveyMonkey from late February to early March among nearly 20,000 adults, half of whom are women, has uncovered the reasons behind women's frustration and where they are looking for more progress. The study found that the most significant change from last year is that fewer women received pay raises: only 39% this year, down from 44% last year. Additionally, 17% of women reported that their salary is lower than it was a year ago, up from 15% of respondents who reported a pay decline last year.

Despite progress in pay, women continue to encounter obstacles with promotions.

Nearly every woman surveyed said she was either very or somewhat ambitious, with 48% being very ambitious and 40% being somewhat ambitious.

In the past 12 months, 22% of women have seriously considered quitting their jobs, which is roughly the same as the 23% who reported considering quitting their job in the previous two years.

The decline in the number of women who quit their jobs in the past year from 11% to 9% may be due to concerns about a weakening labor market.

The most common reasons for quitting jobs among those surveyed were finding a better work-life balance (40%), wanting to escape the stress of their jobs (36%), and advancing their careers or seeking higher salaries (33%).

The problem of work-life balance is the root cause of women's dissatisfaction with their jobs. Out of the women in full- or part-time employment, one in five reports that their work-life balance has deteriorated over the past year, while about a quarter say it has improved, and nearly half report no change. Among those who complain about their worsening work-life balance, half attribute it to an increase in workload.

Employers should prioritize flexible work schedules and promotional opportunities to improve women's work-life balance, according to research.

Parents and women of color are increasingly concerned about the potential career penalties that may arise from pursuing flexible work arrangements.

To retain top female talent and reduce churn, companies must prioritize offering hybrid and flexible work options, while also ensuring that utilizing flexible work does not negatively impact one's career progression.

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