Majority willing to trade pay for remote work – survey

COLORADO, UNITED STATES — A recent survey by remote job platform FlexJobs reveals that majority or nearly two-thirds of workers in the United States are ready to quit for a remote job, even if it means a pay cut.
The data of over 8,400 U.S. workers shows 17% of respondents are willing to sacrifice up to 20% of their salary, while 10% were open to a reduction exceeding 20%. This preference persists despite rising housing costs and stagnant wage growth.
Remote work is the top priority for 63% surveyed, outranking salary, work-life balance, and management quality.
However, securing remote work has become more difficult, with over 50% reporting fewer remote-first job openings compared to last year. The limited positions offering flexibility are flooded with applicants. More than half know someone considering or making a job change due to mandatory office returns.
As Keith Spencer, a FlexJobs career expert, noted, “Lack of remote work options is a significant reason why people leave their jobs.”
While 51% prefer fully remote work, 46% want a hybrid model and only 3% wish to be office-bound. Still, 77% believe they are more productive at home, a view shared by many experts.