In an era of rapid automation and shifting labor markets, remaining employable has become just as important as finding a job. In this latest study by Nexford University, we examine what separates professional vulnerability from upward mobility. By combining U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data with a survey of 1,000 full-time American workers, this report explores how industries, skills, and adaptability are reshaping career stability in 2025.

From layoffs to promotions, the findings reveal a powerful message: resilience is built through learning. Professionals who invest in upskilling are the ones most likely to move forward, even when the job market shifts.

Key Takeaways

• Across all U.S. industries, approximately 13.8 million layoffs have occurred so far in 2025.
• Most layoffs in 2025 have happened in professional and business services (3.5M), followed by trade and transportation (2.7M) and leisure and hospitality (1.9M).
• Layoffs peaked in April 2025, with 2.45 million workers laid off.
• Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (31%) fear being laid off within the next year.
• Among Americans who changed industries or roles in the past year, over 1 in 3 (35%) received a promotion within 12 months.
• Of those who changed industries in the past 12 months, over 3 in 5 (69%) say their job satisfaction increased.
• Americans believe the best protection from layoffs comes from strong skills, with industry-specific expertise (50%), communication skills (48%), and adaptability (48%) seen as the most valuable.

The State of U.S. Layoffs in 2025

While headlines often focus on tech cutbacks, the data tells a broader story.

As of August 2025, more than 13.8 million layoffs have occurred across all U.S. industries. The most affected sectors include professional and business services (3.5 million), followed by trade and transportation (2.7 million) and leisure and hospitality (1.9 million). Education, construction, and manufacturing also faced notable turbulence, suggesting that employment challenges extend beyond traditional white-collar work.

The BLS data showed layoffs peaking in April 2025, when more than 2.45 million workers were discharged in a single month. This surge reflected widespread corporate adjustments amid slower economic growth and continued automation adoption. Despite stabilization through the summer, August still recorded over 2.1 million separations.

Career Pivots Are Powering Promotions

In 2025, career mobility became a powerful driver of professional growth and a clear divider between those advancing and those standing still.

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans (16%) said they changed job functions in the past year and about 1 in 10 switched industries. Gen Z workers (23%) were the most likely to make a functional shift, followed by millennials (17%) and Gen X or baby boomers (10%). When it came to switching industries, Gen Z (14%) and millennials (10%) led the way, taking bold steps toward new opportunities.

Those who made these transitions often saw tangible rewards, with 35% receiving a promotion within 12 months. Over a third of millennials (39%) and Gen X/baby boomers (36%) who changed roles were promoted, compared to 25% of Gen Z. Overall, 69% of workers reported higher job satisfaction after a career pivot. Those working in real estate, legal services, and construction or trades were the most satisfied with their new roles.

Who's Worried About Job Instability and Why?

A majority of Americans (72%) felt confident about their job stability in the next year. Confidence was highest among in-office workers (76%), compared to just 61% of fully remote employees. Across generations, Gen X and baby boomers (74%) were the most assured about job security, followed by Gen Z (72%) and millennials (70%).

Still, 1 in 5 workers (20%) did not feel confident about their job security over the next 12 months. Gen Z (40%) was the least sure, followed by millennials (31%) and Gen X/baby boomers (28%). By industry, those in marketing, consulting, tech, manufacturing, and healthcare reported the lowest confidence levels.

When asked what drives layoff anxiety, respondents pointed to economic uncertainty (46%), company restructuring (27%), and automation or AI adoption (20%) as the top causes, with fewer citing industry decline (5%) or personal burnout (3%).

How To Strengthen Career Resilience

Many professionals have taken proactive steps to strengthen their careers through learning and connection. Around a third (35%) expanded their professional networks, while an equal share learned to use AI or automation tools to stay competitive.

Another 20% completed an online course or degree program, and 17% earned a certification to advance their skills. Over 1 in 10 workers (11%) changed jobs or roles to pursue new growth opportunities, showing that resilience today comes from continuous learning.

Job Security and the New Skills That Protect It

As economic uncertainty continues to reshape the workforce, many professionals are redefining what security means to them. For some, that means valuing stability over salary.

Nearly a third of workers (31%) said they fear being laid off within the next year. Fully remote employees (45%) were much more likely to fear being laid off compared to hybrid workers (30%) and in-office employees (24%). Twenty-six percent of Americans said they would take a 5% pay cut for greater job security. This was highest among Gen Z and millennials (both 27%), compared to 22% of Gen X and baby boomers.

But most professionals believed the best protection from layoffs comes from building the right skills, especially industry-specific expertise (50%), strong communication (48%), and adaptability (48%). Others pointed to technical and digital skills (47%), leadership and management skills (43%), and AI literacy (26%).

How AI Is Redefining Career Security

More than half of Americans (58%) saw AI and automation as opportunities, while 42% viewed them as potential threats. Generationally, Gen X and baby boomers (60%) were the most confident about AI's potential, followed by millennials (58%) and Gen Z (54%).

Balancing ambition with well-being has become a growing challenge in an always-on professional culture. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%) reported frequently feeling too burned out to focus on long-term career growth, while 21% rarely experienced burnout and 6% never did. 

When asked what would drive their growth the most in 2026, professionals pointed to a mix of human and technical skills. Their top priorities included:

• Expanding soft skills, such as communication and leadership (30%)
• Developing AI proficiency (28%)
• Gaining a tech or professional certification (22%)
• Building entrepreneurial or freelance experience (12%)
• Earning an advanced degree, such as an MBA or MA (9%)

The industries most concerned about layoffs — marketing, consulting, and tech — are also those transforming most rapidly through AI and automation. For professionals in these fast-evolving sectors, continuous learning has become the ultimate safeguard.

Adaptability Is the New Job Security

In a world where layoffs and promotions can happen in the same quarter, the most valuable skill you can build is adaptability. Whether that means learning to use AI tools, earning a new certification, or expanding your professional network, every investment in learning strengthens your career security. The job market will keep evolving, but so can you. Keep growing, stay curious, and you'll be ready not just to weather change, but to turn it into your next opportunity.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 full-time Americans to explore how professionals and employers are responding to job market disruption, including layoffs, restructuring, and the rise of AI-driven skills. The average age was 39; 49% were female, 50% were male, and 1% were non-binary. Generationally, 28% were baby boomers and Gen Z combined, 58% were millennials, and 14% were Gen Z.

In addition to survey responses, this analysis incorporates data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The JOLTS dataset measures the monthly number and rate of layoffs and discharges across major U.S. industries. Figures are reported in thousands of workers and seasonally adjusted by the BLS.

We examined monthly data from January through August 2025, the most recent period available at the time of review. Industry-level values were aggregated to estimate total layoffs year-to-date and to identify which supersectors, broad industry groups defined by the BLS, accounted for the largest shares of layoffs.

It’s important to note that industry-level JOLTS data are calculated from separate samples and are not designed to sum to the national total. As a result, adding industry figures produces a higher combined number than the BLS-reported total of 13.8 million seasonally adjusted layoffs and discharges across all nonfarm industries (Jan–Aug 2025). According to the BLS, differences arise due to rounding, missing sectors, and sampling variation. In other words, this discrepancy reflects the structure of the JOLTS survey, not an error in calculation.

About Nexford

Nexford University is a modern online university built to get you career-ready fast. Our affordable, flexible degrees, like our accelerated bachelor's programs and online AI degree, are designed around real employer needs. That means you'll build practical, in-demand skills you can use right away. Learn on your schedule, from anywhere in the world, with 24/7 support when you need it. If you're aiming for a future-proof and debt-free career, Nexford gives you the edge.

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