BOSTON—Lower-income hourly workers are increasingly being affected by artificial intelligence and automation, but many are receiving little training or financial support to adapt, according to a new report.
The study, “The Resilience Deficit: Labor Workers in an Automated Economy,” part of the April 2026 Wage to Wallet Index produced by PYMNTS Intelligence in collaboration with WorkWhile and Ingo Payments, examines how workplace technology is reshaping job prospects and financial stability for hourly workers.
More than one-third of surveyed workers said their employers introduced automation or AI tools in the past year, according to PYMNTS. However, most workers directly affected by those changes reported receiving little or no training, leaving them to navigate workplace shifts with limited guidance.
The report also found that the effects of automation extend beyond the workplace into household finances. Lower-income workers expressed less confidence in their ability to find comparable-paying jobs if displaced by technology and were less likely to have savings or emergency funds to rely on. They were also more likely to depend on government assistance when income falls short.
‘Resilience Deficit’
PYMNTS said the findings point to a broader “resilience deficit,” in which workers with the least financial cushion face the greatest challenges adapting to technological change.
The report highlighted several key trends:
- AI and automation are spreading into hourly and frontline workplaces more quickly than many assume, even if job duties have not yet fully changed.
- Lower-income workers report weaker confidence in job stability and in the long-term value of their skills, making them more vulnerable to disruption.
- Differences in financial resources—such as savings or access to additional income—shape how workers respond when hours are reduced or roles change.
About the Index
The Wage to Wallet Index tracks income stability and financial health among roughly 60 million U.S. workers earning $25 an hour or less, or about $50,000 annually. The April report is based on a survey of more than 32,000 adults, including a subset of respondents focused on automation and job displacement.
PYMNTS said the findings present challenges for banks, financial technology firms, payroll providers and employers as they seek to address income volatility and support workers facing rapid technological change.
