Nearly 24% of U.S. workers, or about 23 million adults, say they are staying in jobs they would prefer to leave because they fear losing employer-sponsored health insurance, according to a new Gallup study. The share of workers experiencing “job lock” has increased eight percentage points since 2021, as rising healthcare costs and affordability concerns make leaving a job feel financially risky.
Medical Debt And Chronic Conditions Increase Job Lock
Workers facing healthcare-related financial pressure are significantly more likely to feel trapped in their jobs.
Among employees with personal or household medical debt, 44% report job lock, compared with 21% of those without medical debt. Nearly half of workers who consider healthcare expenses a major financial burden also say they remain in unwanted jobs to keep insurance coverage.
Health conditions also play a role. Workers with chronic illnesses are more likely to report staying for insurance benefits, with rates increasing among those managing multiple conditions. Employees with conditions requiring ongoing care, including immune-related illnesses, depression, and anxiety, reported especially high levels of job lock.
Women Report Higher Rates Of Job Lock
Women are more likely than men to say they remain in jobs they want to leave because of health coverage, with 30% of women reporting job lock compared with 20% of men.
The gap coincides with higher rates of healthcare-related financial stress, medical debt, and chronic conditions among women in the survey.
Health Insurance Tied To Jobs Shapes Career Decisions
Researchers say the rise in job lock indicates a larger issue: when healthcare access depends on employment, workers may prioritize keeping benefits over pursuing new opportunities.
The impact reaches beyond individual career choices, potentially affecting job mobility, entrepreneurship, wage growth, and overall workplace satisfaction. As healthcare expenses continue rising, more workers are weighing insurance security alongside career advancement when deciding whether to stay or move on.
