85% of pre-COVID commuters back in office, states new survey
The work-at-home era is in the rearview mirror for most American workers who were commuting prior to the pandemic, according to an April 2025 survey of 1,600 adults 18+, states Inside Radio.
According to Inside Radio, the results of the study, conducted by Quantilope, “show that compared to similar research from Nielsen and MARU/Matchbox for the past five years, 85% of average Americans are currently commuting to work, a far cry from the 48% still doing so during the first full month of COVID exactly five years earlier, in April 2020. That current share of commuters is consistent with the last two years of data.”
“The finding is certainly good news for AM/FM radio, with a share of in-car ad-supported audio time spent listening that has stayed consistent since before the pandemic – currently at 86% for persons 18+, according to Edison Research’s “Share of Ear” report.
“For marketers and media agencies the message is clear: out-of-home media audiences have roared back as billboards, digital signage, and AM/FM radio offer mass reach at full pre-pandemic levels,” Cumulus Media/Westwood One Audio Active Group VP, Advertiser Measurement & Insights Lauren Vetrano says in Westwood One’s blog. “The return-to-work trend has less of an impact on digital audio such as Spotify, Pandora, and podcasts, which are primarily consumed at home.”
At the same time, states Inside Radio, “marketers and media agencies have also returned to office work. Based on results from an Advertiser Perceptions study of more than 300 media agencies and brands also conducted in April, 57% say they are working in the office all or most days, vs. 22% three years ago. Adding those commuting some days, 89% are now back in the office, compared to 63% in April 2022, while the share of those still only working at home has plummeted to just 11%, vs. 37% three years ago.”
As a result, Vetrano says, “Despite the marketing industry historically working from home more than average Americans, the new studies reveal the two groups are now mostly aligned with their commutes.”
