The Hidden Driver of Consumer Spending Isn't Income. It's Mobility

• About 40% of hourly workers report being worse off than the national economy, compared to just over 22% of salaried workers, with nearly half of Labor Economy workers missing or delaying bill payments due to paycheck timing issues.
• While many hourly workers feel secure in current roles, fewer than half express confidence in finding new work if needed, creating a 'lock-in dynamic' that suppresses optimism and limits financial leverage.
• The report recommends employers and financial institutions pair faster wage access with predictable scheduling, skills development, and credentialing support to convert job security from a holding pattern into a platform for advancement.

Summary

A February 2026 PYMNTS Intelligence report reveals that job mobility—not just income—is increasingly driving consumer spending behavior, particularly affecting hourly workers in the Labor Economy versus salaried Non-Labor Economy workers.

Key Findings:

Approximately 40% of Non-Labor Economy workers report better personal finances than the national economy, reflecting confidence in future opportunities. In contrast, about 40% of hourly workers feel worse off than the national average, compared to just 22% of salaried workers.

While many hourly employees feel secure in current roles, fewer than half are confident about finding new work if needed. This "safe but stuck" dynamic creates a psychological constraint that reshapes financial priorities even without recession or mass layoffs.

Market Implications:

The mobility lock-in affects spending patterns significantly. Workers feeling trapped prioritize essential expenses—housing, transportation, daily routines—while cutting discretionary spending and future-oriented commitments. Nearly half of Labor Economy workers report missing or delaying bill payments specifically due to paycheck timing issues, highlighting liquidity pressures.

Younger workers and those in service, logistics, and care roles bear disproportionate burden, facing delayed advancement and recurring cash flow strain.

Solutions Proposed:

The report suggests employers, platforms, and financial institutions should collaborate on benefits combining faster wage access with predictable scheduling, skills development, and credentialing support. This approach could transform job security from a "holding pattern into a platform for advancement."

The research underscores that improving financial outcomes requires not just higher wages but restoring credible pathways to career progress, representing a fundamental shift in understanding consumer financial behavior.