Life & work · 2026 survey
Work Situation
Which of the following best describes your work situation right now?
30% of young men hold a job they consider the start of a career. 17% are not working.
Topline, all respondents
- I have a job I consider the start of a career29.7%
- I have a job that pays the bills but is not a career25%
- I am in an apprenticeship or training for a skilled trade8.1%
- I am working for myself or building my own business10.6%
- I am in school or training full time and not working6.6%
- I am not working and looking for work13%
- I am not working and not looking for work3.7%
- Unsure3.2%
Most common answer
I have a job I consider the start of a career
Share
29.7%
Respondents
800 registered voters, men aged 18 to 30
The numbers
| Response | Percent |
|---|---|
| I have a job I consider the start of a career | 29.7 |
| I have a job that pays the bills but is not a career | 25.0 |
| I am in an apprenticeship or training for a skilled trade | 8.1 |
| I am working for myself or building my own business | 10.6 |
| I am in school or training full time and not working | 6.6 |
| I am not working and looking for work | 13.0 |
| I am not working and not looking for work | 3.7 |
| Unsure | 3.2 |
Embed
<iframe src="https://youngamericanmen.com/embed/2026/work-situation" title="Work Situation, Young American Men Survey 2026" width="100%" height="480" style="border:0;max-width:48rem" loading="lazy"></iframe>
Citation
The Lafayette Company, Young American Men Survey 2026, “Which of the following best describes your work situation right now?”. 800 registered voters, men aged 18 to 30, fielded by Cygnal, September 15–18, 2026, margin of error ±3.46%. youngamericanmen.com/data/2026/work-situation
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