55% of US workers were burned out as of late 2025, a six-year high, based on Eagle Hill Consulting data. Estimates for 2026 range from 44% to 82%, depending on how each survey defines burnout. This post covers current figures on prevalence, cost, demographics, work arrangement, and the new AI variable.
Employee Burnout Statistics – TL;DR
- 55% of US workers are currently burned out, a six-year high (Eagle Hill Consulting, November 2025).
- 72% report moderate-to-high stress, the highest reading in seven years (Aflac WorkForces Report, 2025).
- Burnout costs $3,999 to $20,683 per employee per year, and 89% of that cost comes from presenteeism (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2025).
- Gen Z hits peak burnout at age 25, about 17 years earlier than the average American, who peaks at 42.
- 45% of frequent AI users report burnout, against 35% of non-users (Moodle, 2025).
The employee burnout statistics for 2026 point to three shifts: US burnout sits at a multi-year high, cost is driven by depleted workers who still show up rather than by absences, and heavy AI use tracks with higher burnout instead of relief. Younger workers and mid-level managers carry the heaviest load.
How Many Workers Are Burned Out in 2026?
The prevalence range is wide because surveys measure different thresholds. Eagle Hill puts current US burnout at 55%. Gallup finds 67% report burnout symptoms at their current job, up from 52% in 2021. Mercer’s 82% measures risk, not active burnout.
| Metric | Figure | Survey |
|---|---|---|
| US workers currently experiencing burnout | 55% | Eagle Hill, Nov 2025 |
| Workers with burnout symptoms at current job | 67% | Gallup 2025 |
| US workers at moderate-to-high stress | 72% | Aflac 2025 |
| Workers burned out “often” or “always” | 44% | APA 2025 |
| Employees at risk of burnout | 82% | Mercer 2024 |
| Workers burned out “right now” (real-time) | 1 in 4 | Gallup 2025 |
Source: Eagle Hill Consulting, Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2025, Aflac WorkForces Report 2025, APA Work in America 2025, Mercer Global Talent Trends
The gap between 55% and 82% is not a contradiction. Eagle Hill asks whether people are burned out now; Mercer asks whether the conditions for burnout exist. That leaves roughly 27% of the workforce vulnerable but not yet burned out. For anyone weighing where they work, the remote work productivity data shows output held up even as burnout rose.
Employee Burnout Statistics by Generation and Age
Gen Z reports the highest burnout of any generation. Eagle Hill puts it at 66%, ahead of Millennials at 58%. By age bracket, NAMI records the peak at 25 to 34, where 83% report burnout.
| Group | Burnout Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 66% | Eagle Hill 2025 |
| Millennials | 58% | Eagle Hill 2025 |
| Gen X | 53% | Eagle Hill 2025 |
| Baby Boomers | 37% | Eagle Hill 2025 |
| Ages 25–34 | 83% | NAMI 2025 |
| Ages 18–24 | 81% | NAMI 2025 |
| Ages 55+ | 49% | NAMI 2025 |
Source: Eagle Hill Consulting 2025, NAMI 2025
Gen Z hits peak burnout at 25, seventeen years earlier than the average American. The 25 to 34 bracket catches younger workers entering demanding careers alongside new family and financial pressure. A few books that tackle burnout address exactly that overlap.
Employee Burnout Statistics by Gender and Role
Women report higher burnout than men, 72% against 62%, per McKinsey. Mid-level managers post the highest rate of any role group at 78%, above individual contributors at 65%.
| Group | Burnout Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 72% | McKinsey 2025 |
| Men | 62% | McKinsey 2025 |
| Mid-level managers | 78% | Gallup 2025 |
| All managers | 71% | Gallup 2025 |
| Individual contributors | 65% | Gallup 2025 |
| Women in leadership | 43% | Gallup |
| Men in leadership | 31% | Gallup |
Source: McKinsey Women in the Workplace 2025, Gallup 2025
The gender burnout gap has more than doubled since 2019, with caregiving load cited as a driver. Mid-level managers sit between executive demands and team distress, which explains their position at the top. Managers drive 70% of the variance in team engagement, yet only 44% globally have had formal management training.
What Does Employee Burnout Cost?
Burnout costs employers between $3,999 and $20,683 per employee each year, scaling with role. Across the US economy, the American Institute of Stress puts the total near $300 billion a year. Global disengagement cost $438 billion in lost productivity in 2024, per Gallup.
| Role | Annual Cost Per Employee |
|---|---|
| Hourly non-manager | $3,999 |
| Salaried non-manager | $4,257 |
| Manager | $10,824 |
| Executive | $20,683 |
Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025
Presenteeism vs Absenteeism
89% of burnout’s cost comes from presenteeism, employees present but depleted, and only 11% from absenteeism. Most firms track sick days, which captures the smaller share. Burned-out workers are nearly three times more likely to plan to leave within a year and 63% more likely to take a sick day. Short recovery habits matter here; makers describe how they recover before burnout sets in.
Employee Burnout Statistics by Work Arrangement and AI
Fully remote workers report the highest burnout at 61%, ahead of hybrid at 57%. The new 2026 variable is AI: 45% of frequent AI users report burnout, against 35% of non-users. A UC Berkeley study found AI at work adds responsibilities and hours rather than freeing time.
| Factor | Burnout Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fully remote workers | 61% | Eagle Hill 2025 |
| Hybrid workers | 57% | Eagle Hill 2025 |
| Frequent AI users | 45% | Moodle 2025 |
| AI non-users | 35% | Moodle 2025 |
| Employees who feel they belong | 55% | Aflac 2025 |
| Employees without belonging | 78% | Aflac 2025 |
Source: Eagle Hill Consulting 2025, Moodle 2025, Aflac 2025
85% of professionals now use AI at work, so this variable applies broadly. Saved time gets absorbed by wider scope, and the heaviest AI users tend to be younger, higher-performing staff already under pressure. Clear remote work routines and steady work-life balance reading give some structure against that creep.
FAQ
What percentage of employees are burned out in 2026?
55% of US workers are currently burned out, a six-year high, per Eagle Hill Consulting (November 2025). Global estimates run higher: Gallup reports 67% experience burnout symptoms at their current job, up from 52% in 2021.
Which generation has the highest burnout?
Gen Z reports the highest generational burnout at 66% (Eagle Hill 2025). By age bracket, workers 25 to 34 peak at 83% (NAMI). Gen Z hits peak burnout at 25, about 17 years earlier than the average American.
How much does employee burnout cost employers?
Burnout costs $3,999 to $20,683 per employee per year, scaling with role (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2025). 89% of that cost comes from presenteeism, not absences. US-wide, burnout runs close to $300 billion annually.
Does remote work cause more burnout?
Fully remote workers report the highest burnout at 61%, ahead of hybrid at 57% (Eagle Hill 2025). Belonging matters more than location: workers without a sense of belonging report 78% burnout, versus 55% for those who feel they belong.
Does AI reduce or increase burnout?
Frequent AI users report 45% burnout, against 35% for non-users (Moodle 2025). A UC Berkeley study found AI adds responsibilities and working hours rather than saving time, as freed capacity gets filled with expanded scope.
Sources
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/708071/global-employee-engagement-continues-decline.aspx
https://www.worktime.com/blog/statistics/employee-burnout-statistics-trends-in-the-workplace
https://hubstaff.com/blog/burnout-statistics-workplace/
https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/work-in-america/2024/2024-work-in-america-report.pdf
