Urban centers see double-digit increases in office attendance

As businesses continue to adapt to evolving work models, February 2025 saw another shift in workplace dynamics. New data indicates a 19.64%  year-over-year increase in office entries per company, underscoring a steady movement toward in-person collaboration.

Which cities are leading the office revival?

Urban centers across the U.S. are experiencing a renewed office presence. Some cities have witnessed double-digit increases in office entries per company compared to the same time last year.

• Austin: 71.32% increase 
• Chicago: 50.52% increase 
• Los Angeles: 28.33% increase 
• New York City: 17.94% increase 
• San Francisco: 11.91% increase ‍
• Washington DC: 7.42% increase

Austin experienced the most significant increase, with a staggering 71.32% rise in office entries. This surge can be attributed to the city's growing business ecosystem, an influx of tech companies, and a broader return-to-office push by major employers.

Industry breakdown: Who’s returning faster?

Office attendance trends vary widely across industries. Comparing February 2024 to February 2025, here’s how different sectors performed in total office entries:

• Technology: 9.67% increase
• Pharma and Biotech: 9.39% increase
• Manufacturing: 9.01% increase
• Food and Beverage + Consumer Goods: 7.53% increase
• Professional Services: 11.29% increase

The Professional Services sector led the way with an 11.29% increase in office attendance. This rise reflects a strategic emphasis on in-person collaboration for client meetings, team productivity, and professional development opportunities.

The road ahead for office work

With office attendance steadily climbing, businesses must rethink their workplace strategies. Employee experience, flexible policies, and workplace design will be key to sustaining this momentum.

The companies that succeed will be those that create environments where employees feel productive, engaged, and motivated to collaborate in person.

Stay tuned as we continue tracking the workplace landscape throughout the year!

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This post is part of our Data Snack Series. Check out past blogs and our 2025 State of work report for more workplace insights.