Over 80% of Hourly Workers Worry About Paying Bills, Survey Finds

A survey of 2,300+ hourly workers reveals rising financial pressure, with 6 in 10 reporting they've skipped meals to cover other expenses

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 11, 2025 -- Branch, the leading workforce payments platform, has released its seventh annual Branch Report, offering a closer look at how today's hourly workers are navigating financial pressure and evolving workplace expectations.

The 2025 survey of more than 2,300 hourly workers conducted by Branch reveals that many workers are facing difficult financial decisions: 6 in 10 have skipped meals in the past year, and close to half have delayed payments on essential expenses including utilities, rent, and medical bills. Over 80% worry about their ability to pay bills on time, underscoring the importance of faster payments—85% of hourly workers say early access to earned wages is helpful.

"Behind the headlines about staffing challenges and labor shortages are millions of workers doing their best to stay financially stable," said Branch founder and CEO Atif Siddiqi. "This data highlights how important it is to offer tools that make everyday financial decisions easier, including faster, more flexible access to earnings."

The survey also explored how hourly workers view the growing presence of AI in the workplace. Most say they haven't encountered AI tools on the job (68%) or are unsure whether they have (14%). Looking ahead, expectations remain mixed: across all industries, 28% of hourly workers believe AI may take away opportunities, 8% believe it could create better ones, and 43% are unsure how AI will affect their future job prospects. 

Key Findings:

Financial Strain & Food Insecurity

• 81% of hourly workers worry about their ability to pay bills on time

• Almost half (48%) experience ongoing financial anxiety, saying they "always" or "often" worry about paying essential bills

• 52% say their pay varies significantly week to week, making budgeting challenging

• 61% have skipped meals in the past year to cover other expenses

• 41% have fallen behind on utilities or loan payments, 32% have delayed rent or mortgage payments, and 30% say medical bills or prescriptions have gone unpaid

Early Pay Options Are Essential

• 85% of hourly workers find early access to earned wages helpful

• Nearly two-thirds (63%) prefer their pay at least weekly or to have early access over the formal pay cycle

• 77% have less than $500 in emergency savings, highlighting the need for flexible financial tools and support

Tipping Culture in Focus

• Tips make up at least a quarter of income for 6 in 10 tipped workers

• 37% of workers in tipped industries say half or more of their income comes from tips

• 25% say customers don't tip enough, and 79% say they sometimes feel slighted

• 64% would prefer higher base pay and less reliance on tips

Job Hugging in a Shaky Economy

• 43% of hourly workers say the current economy has changed their job-hunting plans

• A quarter of workers who intended to job-hunt are now opting to stay put

• 1 in 4 workers juggle two or more jobs to make ends meet

Understaffing is a Problem

• 72% say their workplace is understaffed at least some of the time

• Among those working understaffed shifts:

  • 93% report increased stress or burnout

  • 70% say they face more pressure from customers

  • 56% report fewer breaks or rest periods

  • 49% say they are forced into longer or mandatory shifts

  • 31% cite serious safety concerns

What Matters Most to Hourly Workers

Different generations value different things at work — the data shows clear shifts by age group:

• Gen Z : Flexible scheduling comes first (44%)

• Millennials: Paid time off ranks highest (49%)

• Gen X: Health insurance and benefits top the list (47%)

• Baby Boomers: Like Gen Z, flexible scheduling is most important (59%)

Across all ages, workers share several priorities that influence whether they stay or switch jobs.

• Top reasons for staying in a job:

  • Compensation/pay – 65%

  • Work-life balance – 62%

  • Job stability – 57%

• Top motivators to switch jobs:

  • Higher pay – 92%

  • Option to work from home – 31%

  • Health benefits – 29%

  • Guaranteed hours – 28%

• Top 5 job benefits valued most:

  • Paid time off – 44%

  • Flexible scheduling – 43%

  • Health insurance – 39%

  • Job security/stability – 34%

  • Retirement savings – 26%

Mixed Expectations About the Role of AI at Work

AI adoption in hourly workplaces is still in early stages, and most workers are uncertain about how it will shape their jobs. Nearly 7 in 10 hourly workers (68%) say their employer hasn't introduced any AI tools, and another 14% aren't sure if they have.

Among the workers who have encountered AI on the job, the impact varies:

• 39% say AI has made their job easier

• 17% say it has made their job harder

• 44% say they haven't noticed much difference

For more findings or to download a copy of the report, visit: https://www.branchapp.com/resources/branch-report-2025.

Methodology

The survey was conducted in November 2025 and reflects responses from 2,300 hourly workers across industries including retail, hospitality, food service, healthcare, and logistics. Respondents include both tipped and non-tipped workers and represent a range of ages, geographies, and workplace sizes.

About Branch

Branch is the leading workforce payments platform that helps businesses deliver fast, flexible options for workers to get paid. Whether it's sending earnings to employees or contractors, companies choose Branch because they know that faster payments can help them strengthen worker loyalty, save time and money, and drive business growth. Earners that sign up with Branch can receive a deposit account, quick access to earned wages, rewards, and personal finance tools to help them manage their cash flow between pay cycles. Branch partners with many of the nation's leading companies and platforms across the hospitality, gig, vertical SaaS, and staffing industries. Branch has been honored with a Webby Award—Best Financial Services, FinTech Breakthrough Award, Gartner Eye on Innovation: Financial Services, and Great Place to Work Certification. To learn more about Branch, visit https://www.branchapp.com and follow us on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.