Not every teen or twenty-something wants the 9-to-5 office job and its salaried pay.  In fact, according to a survey commissioned by SnagAJob.com, 40 percent of 18-29 year olds see themselves as a career hourly worker.  That’s virtually tied with the 41 percent who consider themselves a career salaried worker.

The survey for SnagAJob.com conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs identifies a new segment of the workforce, called “new collar,” which when extrapolated using 2007 Census figures represents approximately 20 million young Americans who envision themselves as hourly workers for their entire working life.

“This data shows that young Americans are indeed focused on hourly jobs for their career, a path that compares equally to salaried work in offering rewarding and long-term work,” said Shawn Boyer, CEO of SnagAJob.com, a Web site that matches job seekers with hourly positions.  “America’s hourly workforce is extremely diversified – from retail managers and mechanics to nurses and call-center operators – and it’s refreshing to see that the generation that will propel our country’s growth in the coming years truly desires these opportunities.”

And while 40 percent of young Americans recognize that they are or intend to be career hourly employees, the reality is likely higher: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 59 percent of working Americans are paid by the hour.

Earning a college degree does to some extent portend whether or not young Americans anticipate a salaried or hourly career.  Of those ages 18-29 years old who have not attained a college degree, more expect to be a career hourly worker (48 percent), according to the SnagAJob.com survey.  Of those with degrees, 62 percent identify with being a salaried employee.  Yet, one quarter who have graduated from college are career hourly workers or intend to follow that career path.  The entire breakdown by education obtained:

Thinking about the job you will pursue or are currently pursuing that you will see as your 'career' do you think this job will most likely pay you as...
 
No College Degree
* Hourly Employee – 48%
* Salaried Employee – 30%
* Self employed – 18%
* Work on commission – 4%

College Degree
* Salaried Employee – 62%
* Hourly Employee – 25%
* Self employed – 10%
* Work on commission – 2%
 

As part of the SnagAJob.com survey of more than 1,700 Americans ages 18-29, nearly 500 employed people who define themselves as career hourly workers and currently hold hourly employment were interviewed.  Among the findings:

* These hourly workers generally expressed positive feelings about their jobs, as 37 percent are “happy” and another 16 percent described themselves as “fulfilled” by their careers.  In contrast, 25 percent of career hourly workers are “frustrated.”
 
* The top five industries for new-collar workers are: retail (18 percent); service/customer service (16 percent); healthcare (16 percent); office/business (10 percent) and restaurant/food service (8 percent). 
 
* These hourly workers say their co-workers (30 percent) are the best thing about their current jobs.  Pay, official benefits and interaction with customers are in a virtual three-way-tie for second place at 20 or 21 percent each.
 

Survey Methodology:

This online survey was conducted by IPSOS Public Affairs, a third-party research firm, on behalf of SnagAJob.com between May 25 and June 9, 2008.  Respondents included 1,755 Americans ages 18-29.  The margin of error for the entire survey is 2.34% at a 95% confidence level.  The margin of error for the sub-population of career hourly workers who are currently employed (491 respondents) is 4.42%.