University of Phoenix Career Institute®

# Career Optimism Index® study

The 2026_Career Optimism Index_®study, based on a national survey of 5,000 U.S. working adults and 1,000 employers, finds that workers are increasingly using AI to build skills, boost confidence and prepare for career mobility — even as many remain cautious in a stabilizing labor market. The study also shows employers face growing pressure to provide clearer AI guidance and workforce strategies as demand rises for AI-fluent talent.

[View previous studies](#previous-editions)
![2026 Career Optimism Index](/career-institute/career-optimism-index/_jcr_content/root/container/container_copy_copy/columns/responsivegrid1/container/container/image.coreimg.png/1776118905053/coi-image-2026-2.png)

## View full report

### Previous editions

[Download the 2025 Index](/content/dam/edu/career-institute/doc/career-optimism-index-2025.pdf)(PDF)

[Download the 2024 Index](/content/dam/edu/career-institute/doc/uopx-career-optimism-index-2024-research-findings-dma-snapshots.pdf) (PDF)

[Download the 2023 Index](/content/dam/edu/career-institute/doc/2023-uopx-career-optimism-index-study-research-findings-dma-snapshots.pdf) (PDF)

[Download the 2022 Index](/content/dam/edu/career-institute/doc/uopx-career-optimism-index-2022-all-data-appendix.pdf) (PDF)

[Download the 2021 Index](/content/dam/edu/career-institute/doc/uopx-career-optimism-index-2021-results.pdf) (PDF)

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