The question of what work is worth is complicated. For decades, salary was the clearest measure of a job’s value. Now, the ability to work from anywhere or simply avoid the daily commute is changing how employees define a good offer.
Remote and hybrid opportunities have shifted from a perk to a point of negotiation, influencing career choices and challenging employers to adapt. To better understand how workers are weighing these trade-offs, a questionnaire of 1,000 employed Americans garnered the following insights across industries, generations and work arrangements.
Key Takeaways
- Over half of full-time, in-person employees (55%) would take a pay cut for permanent remote or hybrid work.
- On average, in-person employees would accept an 11% salary cut for remote or hybrid work.
- Nearly two in five workers (38%) have turned down a job offer due to a lack of flexibility.
- If forced back to the office, 30% would consider quitting, and 13% would definitely quit.
- Only 30% of remote and hybrid workers would commute to the office full-time even if offered a raise.
Trading Pay for Remote Work
- Over half of full-time, in-person employees (55%) would take a pay cut for permanent remote or hybrid work.
- 40% would take a pay cut for remote work only, including 41% of Gen X, 38% of millennials and 42% of Gen Z.
- Women are more willing than men to take a pay cut for permanent remote or hybrid work, 57% vs. 52%, respectively.
- Finance employees are the most willing to take a pay cut for permanent remote or hybrid work (76%), followed by those in hospitality/food service (65%) and government (62%), while education and healthcare workers are the least willing (49% each).
- On average, in-person employees would accept an 11% salary cut for remote or hybrid work.
Returning to Commuting
- Nearly two in five workers (38%) have turned down a job offer due to a lack of flexibility.
- More than half of fully remote employees (55%) and nearly half of hybrid workers (48%) have turned down a job offer over insufficient flexibility, compared to just 24% of fully in-person employees.
- If forced back to the office, 30% would consider quitting, and 13% would definitely quit.
- Only 30% of remote and hybrid workers would commute to the office full-time even if offered a raise.
Employee Well-Being and Benefits
- What motivates employees most right now in their careers:
- A higher salary: 57%
- Job stability: 51%
- Greater flexibility: 32%
- Time autonomy (control over my calendar): 24%
- A better boss or culture: 15%
- A higher salary is the top career motivator across all generations, especially for Gen Z (66%) and millennials (61%).
- Nearly a quarter of fully in-person employees (23%) feel disengaged most days, compared to 16% of hybrid and 19% of fully remote workers.
- Employees are willing to take a pay cut for:
- A four-day work week: 43%
- More paid time off: 33%
- Flexible start and end times: 27%
- A wellness stipend or mental health days: 17%
- More than half of fully remote employees (51%) feel valued at work, compared to 45% of hybrid and 38% of fully in-person workers.
- 36% of fully remote employees feel inspired at work, versus 35% of hybrid employees and 27% of fully in-person employees.
- Over a third of fully in-person employees (38%) feel burned out at work, compared to 25% of hybrid and 19% of fully remote workers.
Methodology
A questionnaire was conducted on behalf of Youngstown State University (YSU) in August 2025 to understand employed Americans’ perspectives on salary, workplace flexibility, and modern job benefits. Responses were collected from 1,000 participants, of which 47% worked fully in-person, 32% worked in a hybrid setup and 21% worked fully remote. The generational breakdown included Gen Z (19%), millennials (38%), Gen X (35%) and baby boomers (8%). Data was gathered via the CloudResearch Connect platform.
This is a non-scientific, exploratory questionnaire designed to explore behavioral and attitudinal trends. It is not intended to represent all students.
About Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University offers online MBA programs designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers on their own schedule. Students can complete the 30-credit curriculum in as few as 12 months and choose from concentrations such as Healthcare Management, Marketing, Human Resources, and Organizational Leadership. With multiple start dates and online coursework, YSU’s MBA online programs combine flexibility with practical, career-focused learning.
Fair Use Statement
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