How Money, Meaning, and Well-Being Are Reshaping Gen Z and Millennial Job Priorities

As staffing professionals, understanding the evolving priorities of younger generations helps successfully connect candidates with the right opportunities. Recent data from Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, along with other recent industry reports, provides insights into how these generations are approaching work and careers.

Gen Z and Millennial workers are evaluating career opportunities through a more complex lens than previous generations. According to Deloitte’s extensive global survey of over 23,000 respondents, these younger workers are seeking a “trifecta” of factors in their employment — financial security, meaningful work, and personal well-being.

Nearly one-third (31%) of Gen Zs plan to switch employers in the next two years, while 17% of Millennials intend to do the same. This career fluidity isn’t driven by disloyalty but by a strategic pursuit of stability, work-life balance, personal growth, and purpose.

Financial concerns remain top priority

Deloitte’s research found that cost of living tops the list of concerns for both Gen Z and Millennial workers for the fourth consecutive year. Most Gen Zs and Millennials report financial instability, with nearly half feeling insecure and over half living paycheck to paycheck.

A recent Express Employment Professionals study confirms these financial anxieties across all working generations. Approximately 40% of employed job seekers cite not receiving deserved salary increases as a major concern, while 31% worry about economic slowdowns affecting work opportunities.

This financial pressure is driving notable behavior changes among job seekers, including taking on additional work to make ends meet (19%) and working longer hours or additional shifts (55%). Many are prioritizing higher compensation even when it means sacrificing other job aspects.

The need for meaning and purpose

Meaningful work remains a powerful motivator — over 89% of Gen Zs and 92% of Millennials consider a sense of purpose important for job satisfaction and well-being. Gen Z and Millennial career decisions are increasingly influenced by meaningful work, with over half considering it a “very important” factor when evaluating potential employers.

Staffing agencies should recognize that Gen Z and Millennial candidates define purpose in various ways, including seeking roles with direct social impact, aligning personal and organizational values, and desiring skill development for a sense of achievement. And when faced with a lack of purpose-driven roles, some job seekers are prioritizing higher salaries and work-life balance to enable meaningful pursuits outside of their employment.

A healthy work environment

The emphasis on mental health and well-being continues to grow, with only about half of Gen Zs (52%) and Millennials (58%) rating their mental well-being as good. Workplace factors significantly influence this sentiment:

• Long working hours (cited by 48% of Gen Zs and 47% of Millennials)

• Lack of recognition (48% of Gen Zs and 47% of Millennials)

• Toxic workplace cultures (44% of Gen Zs and 45% of Millennials)

• Unfair decision-making practices (44% of both generations)

  
  

For staffing agencies, identifying employers who prioritize well-being will be increasingly important. Companies with supportive leaders, growth opportunities, and good work-life balance correlate strongly with positive candidate experiences and retention.

The technology factor

Technology concerns, particularly AI’s impact on employment, are adding another layer of complexity. According to Express Employment’s report, 24% of job seekers worry about technology negatively affecting their roles.

However, most Gen Zs (57%) and Millennials (56%) are already integrating generative AI into their daily work and hold positive views about it. They recognize that developing both technical and soft skills will be crucial for future success.