Most of us — from Gen Z to boomers — would quit jobs to become influencers, study reveals: ‘It’s shaping the future of work’

Getting paid to post TikTok videos is no longer just for Gen Z.

A majority of people — from young to old — would consider a career as an influencer for the right price.

About 54% of social media users aged 18 to 60+ are willing to give the seemingly glamorous gig a shot, according to a study published by IZEA Worldwide, Inc., a technology, data, and services firm specializing in the creator economy.

Not everyone is willing to completely switch careers, but 64% of this same group would accept money to promote a brand on their channels.

Although Zers are often critiqued by their elders for avoiding work in favor of spending their days on their phones, it could be that we’re just jealous — 60% of social media users aged 45 to 60 would quit their jobs for influencing, compared to 50% of those 18 to 29 years old.

But how can you increase your chances of getting an offer? Just keep scrolling on your phone, according to the research.

People who spend more than five hours a day on social media are 4.4 times more likely to be paid to post.

One likely reason people are aspiring to cash in for logging on? Influencers are 1.5 times more likely to be self-employed than casual social media users — giving them a lot more freedom.

However, that doesn’t mean most content creators rely on posting as their main source of income.

Most (59%) influencers were found to work full-time jobs — only about half (53%) of influencers have been paid by or received products from brands to make posts.

“This research underscores the seismic shift in career aspirations driven by the thriving creator economy,” Ted Murphy, IZEA’s CEO and founder, said in a statement.

“Nearly half of young consumers are willing to leave traditional employment to pursue full-time influencer roles, demonstrating the allure and impact of this industry,” he said.

“Moreover, with 26% of social media users already considering themselves influencers, it’s clear that influencer marketing is not just a passing trend, but a cultural phenomenon shaping the future of work and commerce.”