GUAYNABO, P.R., August 10, 2026 – In an uncertain labor market, many workers are willing to make meaningful sacrifices to feel more secure in their jobs. According to Monster’s® Job Security Report, more than half of U.S. workers (54%) say they would accept a pay cut in exchange for greater job security, while 61% would be willing to give up at least one aspect of their compensation or workplace experience for more stability.
The results underscore that job security has become one of the most valuable workplace benefits, with many employees willing to trade higher earnings, flexibility, bonuses, or benefits for greater confidence that their job will last.
“Job security has become a form of compensation in its own right,” said Vicki Salemi, Career Expert at Monster. “Workers are telling employers they’re willing to make meaningful tradeoffs for stability. That underscores just how valuable a sense of security has become in today’s workplace.”
Key Findings
- More than half of workers would accept a pay cut for greater job security. Fifty-four percent say they would reduce their salary in exchange for greater job security.
- Many workers would make meaningful financial sacrifices. While 26% would accept a pay cut of up to 5%, another 28% would accept a reduction of 5% or more, including 11% who would accept a pay cut greater than 10%.
- Workers are willing to give up more than pay. Twenty-six percent would accept reduced bonuses or incentives, 26% would give up workplace perks or benefits, 23% would sacrifice workplace flexibility, and 17% would accept higher health insurance costs in exchange for greater job security.
- Most workers would make at least one tradeoff for greater stability. Thirty-nine percent say they would not be willing to make any tradeoffs for greater job security, meaning 61% would sacrifice at least one aspect of their compensation or workplace experience in exchange for greater stability.
Workers Would Sacrifice More Than Just Salary
The willingness to make sacrifices extends beyond pay. One-quarter of workers would accept reduced bonuses or incentives (26%) or fewer workplace perks or benefits (26%) in exchange for greater job security.
Nearly one in four (23%) would sacrifice workplace flexibility, including remote work options, while 17% would accept higher health insurance costs. Only 39% say they would refuse to make any of these tradeoffs, meaning a majority of workers are willing to give up something they value in exchange for greater stability.
“Compensation is about more than salary today, but so is job security,” said Salemi. “Workers clearly value bonuses, benefits, affordable healthcare, and workplace flexibility, yet many still see stability as worth meaningful sacrifice. Employers that can offer both security and a strong employee experience will have a significant advantage in attracting and retaining talent.”
For more information, view the full Job Security Report at https://www.monster.com/career-advice/research/job-security-statistics or contact Shanna Briggs at [email protected].
Methodology
This survey was conducted by Pollfish on July 17, 2026, among 1,020 currently employed U.S. workers. Respondents answered a series of multiple-choice questions exploring attitudes toward job security, willingness to make workplace tradeoffs, compensation preferences, and career decision-making. The sample included employed adults across a range of industries, company sizes, and work arrangements throughout the United States. Respondents identified their gender as 52% female and 48% male. Age distribution included 10% ages 18–24, 20% ages 25–34, 19% ages 35–44, 18% ages 45–54, 20% ages 55–64, and 13% age 65 or older. Twenty-six percent worked at companies with 1–49 employees, 18% at companies with 50–249 employees, 20% at companies with 250–999 employees, 17% at companies with 1,000–4,999 employees, 6% at companies with 5,000–9,999 employees, and 13% at companies with 10,000 or more employees. Respondents reported working fully remote (18%), hybrid (22%), or fully in office (60%).
About Monster
Monster is a global leader in online job searching, resume building, and employment solutions. For over 30 years, the company has been a trusted authority for both job seekers and companies. Beyond the job search, Monster provides an intuitive Resume Builder and hundreds of resume templates to help candidates stand out against the competition, while offering employers a comprehensive resume database to source top talent. As a G2 category leader, Monster has been featured in Forbes, CNBC, CNN, and USA Today, sharing the career advice needed to bridge the gap between job seekers and hiring managers. Follow Monster on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest employment trends.
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