Gen Z workers put pay before purpose, survey finds

Young Australian workers are putting pay ahead of purpose when choosing jobs, according to research commissioned by Deel. The survey found 72% of workers aged 18 to 29 rank pay that keeps up with living costs among their top job priorities.

Job security ranked second at 57%, followed by learning and career development at 47%. Work that aligns with personal values ranked equal fourth at 44%, alongside flexibility over when and where they work.

The findings come from a nationally representative online YouGov survey of 1,059 working Australians aged 18 to 29, conducted in August. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, workers in that age group account for 24% of the national workforce.

The results suggest a shift in how younger employees approach work amid higher living costs. The research forms part of Deel's How We Work survey series.

Shannon Karaka, Country Manager for Australia at Deel, said the figures challenged common assumptions about younger staff. "This is a generation that has done the maths. Gen Z are prioritising pay over purpose as they deal with increasing cost-of-living pressures," Karaka said.

Karaka said employers need to reassess how they appeal to younger recruits. "By 2030, Gen Z will make up almost a third of the workforce across OECD countries. But they remain poorly understood in the workplace.

"If workplaces are going to attract and retain young people, they need to understand the fundamentals of what motivates them. And that starts by moving past the stereotype. Our data shows Gen Z aren't the entitled, job-hopping generation they're often painted to be."

Money worries

The survey found 85% of respondents have at least one workplace worry. Financial instability was the top concern, with 48% citing cost pressures or fear of income loss. Another 37% said they worry about burnout.

Those concerns also shaped longer-term ambitions, with 68% identifying financial security as a 10-year goal.

Home ownership produced a more divided picture. While 53% said owning a home remained one of their goals over the next decade, almost half did not include it in their plans.

Extra work

The research also suggests many younger workers are supplementing their income, or trying to. Some 72% said they either already have extra work or are looking for it, while nearly 40% said they already do paid work outside their main job.

Among those with additional work, about half said they mainly do it because they need the money. The other half said they mainly do it because they enjoy it.

One respondent cited by Deel, Sydney-based student and trainer Finlay Noice, combines full-time university study with several paid roles. He studies Exercise and Sport Science at Macquarie University while running his own fitness and boxing coaching business, working as a personal trainer and boxing coach, training as an amateur boxer, and sometimes taking landscaping jobs.

Noice said the workload can be difficult to manage. "It definitely gets challenging managing everything, especially during busy periods at uni, but I enjoy staying active and working towards my goals too," he said.

He said moving out of home pushed him to take on more work. "Relying on just one job would make it difficult to save enough while covering my everyday expenses, especially with the cost of living in Sydney," Noice said.

Noice said financial pressure had also influenced his plans for self-employment. "If one job covered all my expenses, I'd have a lot more flexibility with my time, and I'd probably get a bit more sleep," he said. "But I don't think I'd stop working towards other opportunities. I want to build something of my own."

Karaka said employers hoping to recruit and retain younger workers should focus on pay, security and progression.

"These results shed light on Gen Z's aspirations, their worries and their priorities. The businesses that win over Gen Z and keep them engaged won't be the ones with the slickest purpose statement. They'll be the ones that pay fairly, offer security and show young people a way forward," he said.