The debt divide is real and for many, it’s crushing, according to the company’s Debt & Career Impact Report. Although some workers are managing smaller debts, others are burdened with six-figure obligations that shape every decision they make:

• 37% owe less than $10,000;
• 20% owe between $10,000 and $25,000;
• 13% owe between $25,001 and $50,000;
• 10% owe between $50,001 and $100,000;
• 11% owe between $100,001 and $199,999;
• 9% owe more than $200,000; and
• Not a single individual surveyed reported living debt-free.

High debt levels are amplifying inequality in the workforce. Those with significant debt face limited career options and greater financial vulnerability, regardless of income or education level.

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The fear of rising costs is pushing workers into short-term solutions, which may not be sustainable over the long term. Some workers are reprioritizing spending, restructuring debt or sometimes freezing in place. Tariffs and interest rates are prompting workers to take urgent financial action or brace for impact. Nearly 8 in 10 fear that tariffs will make it harder to repay or avoid debt, 38% have reduced non-essential spending and one-quarter have increased their minimum payments.

Others are transferring balances (13%), delaying repayment (14%), consolidating debt (8%), refinancing (5%), seeking financial counseling (5%) or negotiating with lenders (4%). One-third have taken no specific action, possibly because of limited financial options.

“Debt has become a silent career driver, limiting choices, shaping job paths and heightening anxiety over financial stability,” the report concluded. “For employers and policymakers, these findings are a wake-up call. Addressing debt isn't just about improving credit scores; it's about unlocking career potential by expanding access to skills-based hiring and resumes that reflect true capability.”