Writer: Eleana Teran
2 min read January 2023 – Pittsburgh, ranked among the top 20 cities in the U.S. with the largest Gen Z workforce, is poised to see an influx of this demographic in its workforce. Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012 and comprising 30% of the world’s population, are the newest generation to enter the workforce and will make up 27% of it by 2025. With their unique characteristics, including skills with digital technology and blended virtual and offline experiences, companies in Pittsburgh are considering Gen Z expectations to attract and retain this talent.
Smart Asset recently examined the presence of Gen Z workers in the largest cities in the U.S. Pittsburgh and Wichita, Kansas came in at 10th place, with Gen Z comprising 17.29% of the total workforce. The study found that in Pittsburgh there were around 28,700 Gen Z workers, accounting for over 17% of the workforce, and their labor force participation rate was around 52%.
These findings shed light on the diverse workforce landscape across cities and the evolving job market. Gen Z workers have different priorities and preferences in terms of employment, which may be influenced by the job opportunities and lifestyles available in each city. The presence of Gen Z workers in Pittsburgh indicates that they are actively seeking out job opportunities, despite their tendencies to pursue multiple jobs or independent work. The education services & healthcare sectors in Pittsburgh are one example of industries that are appealing to Gen Z workers, offering them meaningful careers with growth potential.
Nick Neupauer, president of Butler County Community College, emphasized in an interview with Invest: that “Millennials, Gen-Z, and Gen-Alpha have a distinct outlook compared to previous generations. They place great importance on the quality of life.” These remarks further underline the importance of understanding the changing landscape of the workforce and adapting to meet the needs of new generations entering the job market, especially when considering their unique perspective on careers and success, prioritizing job interest over salary.
Baker Tilly Pittsburgh Market Leader Nicolas Glorieux notes that this trend is evident in the accounting industry. “The new generations don’t seem to find the accounting industry as interesting as it once was perceived to be. The industry has been associated with significant amounts of overtime but now accountants want and deserve work-life balance while being fairly compensated. We permanently adopted a hybrid work environment because they want that flexibility. We are also open to considering ideas like a four-day week. Our prioritization of these issues led to us being able to hire some of the best and brightest employees.”
Not only are they looking for purposeful careers, they are also the most diverse generation to date, with 25% Hispanic, 14% African-American, and 6% Asian. Furthermore, one in six identifies as transgender or queer. As a result, they prioritize inclusivity, with 60% advocating for more gender-neutral options on forms and 35% knowing someone who uses they/them pronouns, more than any previous generation.
Moreover, Gen Z values ethical corporate behavior, with a significant portion prioritizing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues. “This significant percentage of individuals means the ethos is weaving its way into how consumers purchase goods, and by extension into the regulation of how companies act. There is an acceleration of ESG in the business community, and we need to be prepared for it so we can build a strategy to assist clients,” said Glorieux.
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