Millennials vs Gen Z: Key Differences

Who is a Millennial? And who is a member of Gen Z?

You may have an idea, but let’s be 100% sure that we’re all on the same page. As you may think, defining the two generations is based entirely on dates—in this case, years. A Millennial is anyone born between 1980 and 1995. In the U.S., there are roughly 80 million Millennials. A member of Gen Z is anyone born between 1996 and the early-mid 2000s (end date can vary depending on source). In the U.S., there are approximately 90 million members of Gen Z, or “Gen Zers.”

Generation Z vs Millennials: Key Takeaways

Thanks to our Way to Work survey, which surveyed 1,001 Americans who are mostly currently in college or recently graduated and in their late teens to mid-20s, we know the primary differences between the two generations and how these differences might play out in the workplace. Here are three key takeaways—or differences between Millennials and Gen Z regarding work—with more to follow in our infographic.

• Members of Gen Z are more concerned about the cost of education (21% of respondents), compared to Millennials (13% of respondents).
• Millennials value stability (34%), while Gen Z puts more of an emphasis on finding their dream job (32%).
• More Gen Zers follow their parents’ influence (42%), compared to their Millennial counterparts (36%).

The Infographic’s Insights

If you’re interested in seeing more takeaways from the survey, check out our infographic, “The difference between Gen Z and Millennials.” We’ve taken the most compelling insights from the survey and made them easy to view. Using these insights, you’ll better understand both groups of workers and can start crafting talent recruitment and retention strategies for these differing generations and their preferences, building a talent pipeline your business can thrive on for years to come.