Bank of America Survey Finds Gen Z Adults Discuss Salary More Than Older Groups

A Bank of America survey released May 27, 2026, reports that 27 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 discuss their salary or income with friends. The same figure was 20 percent for millennials, 12 percent for Gen X, and 3 percent for baby boomers. Overall, 60 percent of Gen Z respondents said they have money conversations with friends, compared with 62 percent of millennials, 46 percent of Gen X, and 29 percent of baby boomers.

The report, titled "Gen Z and the Cost of Adulting," is based on a February survey of more than 2,000 adults.

Holly O’Neill, president of consumer, retail and preferred at Bank of America, said the higher rate of salary discussion among younger adults reflects both cultural norms and economic pressures. She noted that Gen Z workers treat financial information as a practical tool rather than a private matter.

When stressed about money, 69 percent of Gen Z respondents check their bank balance, 54 percent revise a budget, 49 percent save or invest, and 42 percent seek financial advice, according to the Bank of America data.

A separate survey last year by BambooHR found that 54 percent of workers said their employers discourage salary discussions among colleagues, while 44 percent said salary transparency builds trust inside a company. O’Neill said Gen Z workers are using financial stress as a prompt for budgeting and saving actions rather than avoiding the topic.