More Money, More Stress? Why Gen Z Is Saying No To Promotions And Bigger Paychecks

Kaylin Moss has been working as a software engineer since she graduated in 2022. Now, with four years’ experience under her belt, she deliberately avoids moving up the career ladder. “I don't want to be promoted, not at all,” Moss says.

The 26-year-old, who is based in South Carolina, currently works full time in a remote role that gives her a strong work-life balance — a non-negotiable for her. Most days, she says, she has one 30-minute call and can complete a good chunk of her coding work in two to four hours. During her hour-long lunch break, she either heads to the beach, takes a yoga class or grabs lunch with her friends who also work remotely.

"It's time to leave"

Moss currently makes $1,00,000 a year. And although she’s been offered roles that could double her salary, she says she’s turned them down, as she doesn’t think the added pressure would be worth it. Unlike more senior colleagues, who she says are often “always on,” including after work and during weekends, she has enforced boundaries. “I will be the only person that says, ‘Hey, it's time for me to leave.’”

The trend is not limited to Moss. Millions of Gen Z working in the corporate sectors are narrating the same story.

ALSO READ: Why 'Luxury' Now Feels Like A 'Necessity' For Gen Z And Millennials

It's not that Moss doesn't have the skills to pursue management. If anything, she says, leadership comes naturally to her. But she doesn't want a life that revolves around her job, and would rather increase her income by moving laterally than by climbing the career ladder. “I want a career that helps me read at the beach as much as possible.”

The wider trend of 'no promotion please'

Gen Z and millennials are projected to dominate the global workforce by 2030, according to Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, and they’re bringing with them different ideas of what career progression should look like. Only 6 per cent of Gen Z say their primary career goal is a leadership title, the survey found, with many preferring to prioritize work-life balance and development.

Roger Ma, founder of Lifelaidout, a financial planning firm, says the fact that young people are questioning the idea that more is always better can be a good thing, especially as Gen Z focuses on wellness.

ALSO READ: Why Gen Z Is Getting Fired Immediately Globally After Being Hired

He notes that those who are not chasing promotions need to be on top of their finances and think about investing. “The more you save and then the more you put (those) savings to work, the less, hopefully, that (in) the future you will have to work because then these dollars are working for you." He adds that if an individual is just saving and not investing, they're going to be working for longer.

What Gen Z wants from job

More money is not always worth the trade-off anymore. Gen Z is ambitious, but in a different way. For Moss, a promotion likely means more meetings, more responsibility, and less freedom.

Lateral moves can be a smart career strategy. For those who prioritize pay over title, moving sideways into a better-paying role without taking on management responsibilities might be a good move.

Don't ignore the long-term financial value of promotions and work benefits. Foregoing promotion can mean missing out on higher pay and retirement contributions over time.

(With inputs from Reuters)

You may also like to watch