Entry-level employee confidence in the U.S. workforce has dropped to its lowest point since Glassdoor began tracking the metric in 2016, according to the latest data released in June 2025. The Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index reveals that only 43.4% of entry-level employees reported a positive outlook on their employers’ business prospects for the next six months in May, a new record low that underscores mounting anxiety among the newest members of the workforce.

Multiple factors are contributing to this historic dip in confidence. Economic uncertainty, fueled by ongoing tariff disputes and a volatile global economy, has been a major driver. Glassdoor’s data shows that mentions of layoffs in employee reviews surged 9% in May and are up 18% year-over-year, reflecting persistent concerns about job security1. Entry-level workers, in particular, are feeling the brunt of these anxieties as they witness repeated rounds of layoffs and shrinking teams within their organizations.

Glassdoor’s lead economist, Daniel Zhao, notes, “A very common refrain you’ll hear is somebody saying, ‘Oh, my company has gone through two layoffs in the last two years, and I’m uncertain about when the next one is coming.’”Even those who have avoided layoffs report feeling overburdened with additional responsibilities and stressed about potential future cuts.

The hiring market has slowed considerably compared to previous years, making it especially challenging for entry-level workers. Traditionally, early-career employees benefit from job hopping and rapid salary growth in their first decade of work, but the current sluggish labor market has left many feeling stuck and unable to pursue better opportunities.

Compounding these challenges is the rise of artificial intelligence, which is increasingly automating tasks historically performed by entry-level staff. As companies integrate more AI-driven solutions, the sense of job insecurity among new entrants to the workforce has intensified.

While overall employee confidence is down across the board, certain industries are experiencing even sharper declines. For example, government and public administration saw employee confidence plunge to just 34.5% in May, down nearly 15 percentage points since the U.S. presidential election in November 20241. Industries affected by tariffs, such as manufacturing and transportation, also reported lower confidence, though some sectors like construction and insurance saw slight improvements1.

Experts warn that declining employee confidence could have significant implications for productivity and business performance. Workers who feel trapped or disengaged are less likely to be motivated and more likely to seek new opportunities if the market improves, potentially leading to higher turnover rates in the future.

As Glassdoor’s data continues to show, the combination of economic headwinds, job insecurity, and technological disruption is creating an uneasy environment for America’s entry-level workforce, with no immediate signs of relief on the horizon.