Gen Z’s Job Demands: High Salaries, Good Benefits & Remote Work

Published 23 January 2025

2 min read

Gen Z are a growing force in the workplace, accounting for 18% of all US employees in 2024 and surpassing the share of baby boomers for the first time (US Department of Labor, 2024). The 2025 Gen Z Hiring Study from American career platform Handshake sheds light on their professional desires – including high starting salaries, impressive benefits and remote jobs.

  • Financial Stability is Vital: As explored in 10 Youth Trends to Watch 24/25, Gen Zers are prioritising financial security. In 2024, 34% worldwide said that the cost of living was their top concern (Deloitte, 2024). According to Handshake, many are seeking entry-level roles with a good starting salary. While the US median starting salary was $65,000 in 2024, American Gen Zers believe they’ll need to earn a minimum of $587,800 to feel “financially successful” (Axios, 2024).

    As a result, students are opting for degrees in potentially lucrative sectors. Between 2024 and 2025, computer science and accounting degrees both experienced a 14.8% rise in graduates, the largest increases across specialisms (Handshake, 2025).

  • Prioritising Remote & Hybrid Roles: Many students prefer the idea of remote work. In 2024, 21% of Handshake users searched specifically for such roles; however, only 4% of full-time jobs were remote (Handshake, 2025). Meanwhile, 9% were specifically seeking a hybrid role (Handshake, 2025).

  • Work Benefits Gain Importance: Handshake found that Gen Zers are increasingly choosing roles based on workplace benefits. In 2024, young Americans searched for jobs with health benefits (52%), paid time off (34%), dental insurance (31%) and paid sick leave (17%) (Handshake, 2025). Gen Zers across the globe share a desire for better work perks: only 29% said they were satisfied with the financial compensation and benefits their job offered in 2024 (Deloitte, 2024).

 

For more generational insight, see our Future Consumer Life Cycle 24/25, and watch out for our updated series, publishing in late March 2025.