The latest 2026 Job Search Split Report, from resume template service Zety shows a workforce caught between ambition and anxiety. In a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. employees, 47% say they plan to look for a new job in 2026, while 53% intend to stay in their current roles, creating a sharply divided labor force.
The data shows a clear tension: workers want higher pay, better benefits, and more growth — but many fear a weakening job market, longer hiring timelines, and the risk of losing stability or remote work. This push-and-pull is shaping 2026 into a year defined by quiet indecision and cautious calculation.
Key Findings
- 47% of workers will job hunt in 2026 (27% actively searching, 20% planning to start), while 53% plan to remain in their current roles.
- 40% want higher compensation, and 72% would accept a full-time return to the office for a 20% raise.
- Among those staying put, 26% cite true job satisfaction, but many are motivated by caution: concerns about salary prospects, job availability, remote-work loss, or layoff risk.
- 67% expect it will be difficult to find a new job in 2026, and 56% think it will take longer to land a new job compared to last year.
- 53% believe the job market will decline for employees this year, citing higher unemployment and stagnant wages.
Workers Are Split Between Staying and Searching
2026 begins with a stark divide in career intentions:
- 27% are actively job hunting
- 20% plan to start searching later this year
- 53% plan to stay in their current roles
This split reflects a workforce that wants better opportunities but sees risk in making a move.
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Pulled by Pay: Why Nearly Half Are Preparing to Move
For the 47% considering new opportunities, the pull is clear:
- 40% want higher compensation
- 22% seek better benefits
- 17% want more growth
- 14% want remote or flexible options
- 7% are fleeing toxic workplaces
The willingness to trade flexibility for compensation is strong: 72% say they’d return to the office full-time for a 20% raise.
Held Back by Fear: Why Just as Many Are Staying Put
While some are preparing to move, others are choosing stability:
- 26% genuinely enjoy their current job
- 12% don’t think they can find better pay or benefits elsewhere
- 9% believe jobs in their field are scarce
- 8% fear losing a fully remote position
- 5% just received a raise or promotion
- 4% worry they’d be first to be laid off at a new company
Many of these “stayers” aren’t staying because they’re thriving — they’re staying because they’re uncertain.
A Job Market Workers Don’t Trust
The caution is rooted in pessimism about the hiring landscape:
- 67% say it will be difficult to find a new job in 2026.
- 56% think it will take longer to land a new job than it did in 2025.
- 53% believe the job market will weaken overall.
“What stands out is how conflicted employees are,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert for Zety. “Workers want higher pay and better benefits, but they don’t trust the job market. Many are quietly exploring options while staying put, weighing opportunity against risk. Career moves in 2026 are becoming more cautious, strategic, and emotionally complex than ever.”
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Tags: Benefits, economy, job search, remote work, resumes, Staffing, survey, zety
