Author: Elizabeth Bogue Simpson
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2026 Worker Perspectives Executive Summary
2025 focus groups with low- to moderate-income workers reveal concerns about rising costs, stagnant wages, financial stress, and limited job options. Despite these challenges, participants remain optimistic and pursue better pay, stability, and work-life balance. Find out more.
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Worker Perspectives: Economic context and methodology
The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, in partnership with several other Federal Reserve Banks, and Ipsos, studied workers with lower and moderate income in the labor market. This study better informs policies on employment and price stability. The research focused on views about jobs, financial security, and employment expectations.
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Worker Perspectives: When every dollar counts: Inside the economic struggles of workers who earn low to moderate incomes
For many lower and moderate income workers and job seekers, survival is replacing economic mobility. This research explores how individuals navigate tight budgets and a challenging job market. Despite these obstacles, many spoke of their perseverance in the face of challenges and remained confident in their ability to navigate uncertainty.
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2026 Worker Perspectives Report: When every dollar counts: Inside the economic struggles of workers who earn low to moderate incomes
The Worker Perspectives Report explores how workers are navigating rising costs, limited opportunities, and a challenging job market. To navigate these obstacles they are adapting finances and career plans, while also speaking hopefully about their personal ability to manage uncertainty. In their employment, they prioritize flexibility, work-life balance, and fair pay. Here’s what workers are…
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Worker Perspectives: Key Themes
The 2026 Worker Perspectives Report shows workers face financial instability from rising costs and inadequate wages. This instability limits their economic mobility. They struggle to find quality jobs amid new barriers, yet maintain personal confidence in their ability to persevere in the face of economic challenge despite low faith in the broader economy.
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Worker Voices Special Brief: Pursuing Advancement through Personal Investment
Worker Voices participants described their persistence in taking steps to improve their employment outcomes. They pursued skill-building opportunities and were more willing to leave lower-quality jobs, sometimes to pursue self-employment instead. However, their efforts were met with mixed results.
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Worker Voices Special Brief: Barriers to Employment
Worker Voices participants described the challenges facing individuals without a four-year degree as they navigated the job market during a global pandemic. Common barriers to work included an evolving labor market, individual attributes, work-family conflicts, and concerns regarding individual well-being.