New Grads Would Trade Pay for Job Security Amid Uncertainty

Pay is still king when it comes to employee preferences, but in light of recent job and economic instability, upcoming college grads are preparing for lower salaries for their first real job. And they’re OK with that — as long as it will keep their new gig safe.

A survey by jobs site Monster recently found that salary is still important to recent grads, but two-thirds of soon-to-be graduates (67%) say they would accept a lower-paying job if it offered greater long-term career security. 

The finding is significant, said Vicki Salemi, career expert at Monster in New York City, because it shows employers what candidates prioritize and how those expectations are shifting.

“Higher pay isn’t necessarily the primary driver compared to the overall value of job stability,” she said. “They’re ambitious, but cautious and grounded in reality, focusing on the long game rather than rapid advancement.” 

That shift is likely tied to broader economic conditions. Workers across experience levels are increasingly concerned about job security amid layoffs and a competitive labor market. About 7 in 10 (69%) of the more than 1,000 U.S.-based recent and soon-to-be college graduates surveyed by Monster found that they are more willing to compromise on their ideal role than last year. And 76% said they are concerned the economy will affect their job prospects.

What It Implies about the Current State of Pay 

The willingness of new grads to accept lower pay reflects a broader shift in worker sentiment, as compensation growth slows and economic uncertainty persists. Employers are increasingly pulling back on aggressive pay increases just as most workers feel financially strained.

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While pay continues to rise, it is doing so at a more modest pace than in previous years, with data showing that many employers are reducing pay budgets due to economic uncertainty.

About 7 in 10 workers (69%) feel underpaid, according to San Francisco-based career platform Resume Now. Half of employees say falling behind on pay is their top worry in 2026, according to a report from jobs site Zety. And the 2026 SHRM State of the Workplace report found that employees cited pay as their top workplace need. 

Salemi added that workers across experience levels are feeling the strain. “All workers are experiencing pay that isn’t [feeling like] it’s keeping up with inflation,” she said, adding that Monster data from last fall found that 95% of workers said their current wages haven't kept up with the rising cost of living. “In turn, they’re seeking other valuable aspects such as job security.”

After months of modest increases, inflation jumped 0.9% in March and rose 3.3% year-over-year, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported April 10. 

Job Security

By sacrificing pay for job security, new grads may benefit from opportunities for growth — including clearer pathways to advancement and future earnings potential, Salemi said.  

“This is insightful for employers as they recruit college grads as new hires during the recruiting process, but also during new hire orientation to make [discussions around potential opportunities] part of the company culture,” she explained. 

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For employers, this shift signals a changing value proposition. While competitive pay remains important, early-career candidates are placing increasing weight on stability, growth, and long-term earning potential. 

“Employers may want to leverage this as an opportunity to build robust career growth pathways by communicating paths from entry-level positions, the skills required to advance, and how to obtain those skills through training, as well as other opportunities — such as rotational assignments in other offices and abroad — and ways to leverage employer resources,” Salemi said.