---
title: "Most Younger Workers Prefer Job Security to High Pay"
description: "If asked to choose between a job with higher pay and one with more security, 56% of employed young adults would pick the position with more job security."
date: "2012-02-16"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2012/02/16/most-younger-workers-prefer-job-security-to-high-pay/"
categories:
  - "Younger Adults"
---

# Most Younger Workers Prefer Job Security to High Pay

If asked to choose between a job with higher pay and one with more security, most employed adults would pick the latter. Among younger workers, 56% say they prefer job security over higher pay (41%). Older workers prefer more job security to higher pay by an even greater margin (59% to 34%).

The youngest workers (ages 18 to 24) are roughly split between preferring higher pay (51%) or better job security (48%). This finding is a marked change from 2009, when this group’s preferences mirrored those of older workers — 61% preferred better job security to higher pay.

Among workers age 25 and older, the balance of opinion leans towards better job security, though a sizable minority say they would opt for higher pay. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2012/02/09/young-underemployed-and-optimistic/6/#chapter-5-young-adults-at-work?src=prc-number)