Unpredictable Schedules Swing $20 Billion in Workers’ Annual Pay

For hourly, gig, seasonal and shift-based workers, financial security depends not only on wage rates but also on how many hours employers provide and when those hours are confirmed. Last-minute changes can disrupt household budgets, bill payments, savings and caregiving arrangements. Schedule predictability and control are consequently emerging as a form of compensation, shaping the effective value of a job alongside pay and traditional benefits.

PYMNTS Intelligence and WorkWhile published the study on May 29, 2026, based on a survey of 2,465 U.S. adults conducted May 4-11. It found that roughly 2.4 million Labor Economy workers face weekly swings of at least 10 hours, shifting about $400 million in expected pay each week, or more than $20 billion annually. Fifty-four percent said schedule predictability had influenced at least one career decision during the past five years.