21 Crucial Career Change Statistics [2026]: How Often Do People Change Jobs?

Research Summary. Changing jobs can feel like a significant and daunting step, but it may surprise you to learn how common career transitions are throughout a person’s life. Whether driven by the pursuit of higher income or a more fulfilling role, career changes are increasingly frequent at all ages.

In recent years, the evolving labor market dynamics have prompted many individuals to reassess their career paths. In 2023, we found:

• 37% of the U.S. labor force changed or lost their job in 2020.

• The average American worker has 12 jobs over their lifetime.

• U.S. workers have an average tenure of about 4.1 years with a single employer.

• 65% of American workers are currently seeking new full-time employment.

• The average age of career change in America is 39.

• Workers under 24 years old have approximately 3.8 more job changes than those over 45.

For further insights, we analyzed the data across various categories:
Demographics | Age | Reasons + Benefits | Trends

General Career Change Statistics

• 37% of the U.S. workforce changed or lost their job in 2020.

  The economic impact of the pandemic led to over one-third of U.S. workers experiencing job changes—almost double the amount typically seen in the previous 20 years.

  Among those who changed or lost their jobs, 26% found new positions, while 11% remained unemployed.

• The average person spends nearly 100,000 hours at work throughout their lifetime.

  The typical American employee dedicates around 90,000 hours to work over their lifetime, which equates to about one-third of their life spent working.

• Middle-aged workers are the most likely demographic to pursue major career changes.

  The average age for significant career shifts is 39. Experts suggest that this age group faces fewer financial risks and personal stresses, motivating them to pursue new paths.

  Interestingly, many individuals changing careers prioritize personal fulfillment over salary. In fact, 58% of surveyed participants indicated a willingness to accept lower pay for a more meaningful job.

Career Change Statistics by Demographics

• Men tend to have a 10% longer average tenure with employers compared to women.

  In the U.S., the average worker remains at their job for about 4.1 years. This varies by gender, with women averaging 3.9 years and men 4.3 years.

• White workers are more likely to have a decade-long tenure with their employer compared to Black, Hispanic, and Asian workers.

  Approximately 29% of White employees have been with their company for at least ten years. In contrast, 26% of Asian, 23% of Black, and 22% of Hispanic employees have similar tenure. This indicates that White workers are significantly more likely to remain in a job long-term.

• Private sector employees change jobs more frequently than public sector workers.

  Public sector employees average a median tenure of 6.5 years, while private-sector employees average just 3.7 years.

  Federal workers show the highest median tenure at 8.2 years, followed by state employees at 5.6 years and local government employees at 6.6 years. Within the private sector, manufacturing has the highest median tenure at 5.1 years, while leisure and hospitality show the lowest at just 2.3 years.

Median Years Of Tenure With Current Employer By Industry

Career Change Statistics by Age

• Younger and middle-aged workers are more likely to change careers compared to older employees.

  Since the pandemic, around 22% of workers nationwide have considered changing careers. Among these, 30% of those aged 18 to 39 contemplated a switch, while only 12% of individuals aged 50 and older felt the same. Additionally, 21% of those between 40 and 49 years old considered making a career change.

  This indicates that approximately 1 in 3 U.S. workers under 40 have thought about job changes since the pandemic’s onset.



• Younger workers are more inclined to relocate, thereby increasing their likelihood of career changes.

  One significant factor for younger Americans changing careers is their desire to relocate to new communities or states.

  Approximately 41% of individuals aged 18 to 39 have considered moving during recent years, compared to only 24% of those aged 40 to 64 and 11% for those 65 and older.

• Employees under 24 years old experience approximately 3.8 more job changes than those over 45 years old.

  In the U.S., individuals between 18 and 24 typically undergo about 5.7 career changes, while those aged 25 to 34 make approximately 2.4 changes, and workers aged 35 to 44 change jobs roughly 2.9 times. For individuals aged 45 to 52, the average is around 1.9 job changes.

Reasons and Benefits: Career Change Statistics

• Flexibility, financial incentives, and enhanced employee benefits are primary motivators for job changes.

  According to recent findings, better salary negotiations, increased flexibility—such as remote or hybrid options—and improved benefits are the top reasons individuals decide to switch jobs or pursue major career changes.

• U.S. employees often consider changing careers following significant life events.

  After a work anniversary, job-seeking behavior increases by 6% to 9%. Similarly, celebrating a birthday, particularly a milestone, can prompt job changes, with a 12% increase in job hunting observed.

• Financial advancement is a key reason for leaving a job.

  U.S. employees who remain with the same employer for over two years may earn approximately 50% less than those who switch jobs. Those who change jobs typically see a salary increase of 20% to 50%, while employees staying put can expect only a 1.3% to 4.5% annual raise.

• Many employees view job-hopping as a strategic career move.

  Notably, 64% of American workers—and 75% of those under 34—believe that job-hopping contributes positively to their long-term career success.

Career Change Trends and Projections

• A significant portion of U.S. workers have contemplated a career change in recent years.

  The disruptions of 2020 led to many employees rethinking their career paths, with 52% of employed Americans considering a career change that year. Furthermore, 44% had concrete plans to switch jobs. This trend is particularly pronounced among middle-income earners, with 59% of those making between $50,000 and $75,000 contemplating a switch.

• About half of the U.S. workforce changes jobs within a five-year span.

  In 2018, 51% of American workers reported changing jobs every one to five years. In comparison, only 34% reported the same in 2016.

• Financial security remains the top barrier for career changes.

  Many Americans still hesitate to make career transitions due to concerns about financial stability and uncertainty. Approximately 57% of surveyed workers identified financial concerns as a primary barrier. Additionally, 40% were unsure about what career path to pursue next, while 37% felt underqualified for a new role. Age also played a role, with 31% believing they were too old to change careers.



• Millennials and Gen Z continue to be the most frequent job hoppers.

  In 2018, 6.5% of employees under 35 changed jobs compared to just 3.1% of those aged 35 to 54. Recent data indicates that 60% of millennials are open to job hunting. Of those who switched jobs in the past year, 33% were Gen Z and 25% were Millennials, according to a study by IBM’s Institute for Business Value.

Career Change FAQ

1. How many times does the average person change careers?

   The average American worker has 12 jobs throughout a lifetime. The frequency of career changes varies by gender and age, with the average age for significant career shifts being 39.

   The average worker’s tenure at their job is approximately 4.1 years, varying by gender (3.9 years for women and 4.3 years for men).

2. How often do successful people change jobs?

   Successful individuals typically change jobs every three to five years. While the average career change occurs every 4.1 years in the U.S., there’s no definitive guideline for maximizing success through job transitions.

3. Is it beneficial to switch jobs frequently?

   Yes, switching jobs can be advantageous. However, it’s important to balance the benefits of frequent job changes with the potential downsides of appearing as a job hopper. When done strategically, changing jobs can stimulate the economy and enhance a worker’s salary and benefits.

4. How do you know if you should change careers?

   You may need to change careers if you don’t enjoy your work, if your workplace negatively impacts your mental health, or if you’re not compensated fairly. While it may not take all three factors to signal a need for change, a combination often indicates it’s time to switch.

   When contemplating a career change, reflect on the aspects of your current job that you enjoy—this can guide you toward a role that aligns better with your strengths and interests.

5. What are the best jobs for a career change?

   The best jobs for a career change depend on your professional background and skill set. Ideally, seek positions that align with your experience and leverage the skills you enjoy using.

   For instance, if you’re an accountant who prefers client interaction over number-crunching, consider roles emphasizing customer service while utilizing your accounting expertise.

   Alternatively, if you have years of experience in food service and excel in staff training, HR or recruiting could be a good fit. Focus on skills and areas of interest rather than just job titles.

Conclusion

Embarking on a significant career change is a momentous decision that intertwines professional and personal growth. Once viewed with skepticism by hiring managers, job-hopping is now widely accepted as a strategic approach to foster career advancement.

As a testament to this shift, a remarkable 65% of the U.S. workforce is actively pursuing new job opportunities.

In 2020, the pandemic catalyzed an unprecedented wave of career transitions, with 37% of American workers changing or losing their jobs that year. The lingering effects of this period continue to motivate many workers to seek changes in their careers.

With the average American holding 12 jobs throughout their lifetime and an average tenure of approximately 4.1 years, the trend of job-hopping is likely to persist.

References

1. Zippia. “Average Number Of Jobs In A Lifetime [2021]: All Statistics.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

2. Fast Company. “Is Now A Good Time To Change Careers? More Workers Are Feeling Good About It.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

3. Gettysburg College. “One Third Of Your Life Is Spent At Work.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

4. CNBC. “Nearly Half Of Workers Have Made A Dramatic Career Switch, And This Is The Average Age They Do It.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

5. Fortune. “A New Study Highlights That One In Three U.S. Workers Changed Or Lost Jobs In The Past Year.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

6. The Washington Post. “Nearly A Third Of U.S. Workers Under 40 Considered Changing Careers During The Pandemic.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

7. Indeed. “How Often Do People Change Careers?” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

8. Statista. “Individuals Changing Jobs Every One To Five Years In The U.S. 2016-2018.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

9. Thomas Net. “Most Americans Desire A Career Change, But Face Key Barriers.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

10. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics. “Employee Tenure Summary.” Accessed on October 27, 2021.

11. CNBC. “Millennials, Gen Z Are Job Hopping, But Contrary To Popular Belief, Maybe Not Enough.” Accessed on October 31, 2021.

12. CNBC. “How Job Hopping In This Tight Labor Market Can Help You Snare A Fatter Paycheck.” Accessed on October 31, 2021.

13. Harvard Business Review. “Why People Quit Their Jobs.” Accessed on October 31, 2021.

14. Forbes. “Employees Who Stay In Companies Longer Than Two Years Get Paid 50% Less.” Accessed on October 31, 2021.

15. Harvard Business Review. “Why I Encourage My Best Employees To Consider Outside Job Offers.” Accessed on October 31, 2021.

Author

Elsie Boskamp

Elsie is an experienced writer, reporter, and content creator. As a leader in her field, Elsie is best known for her work as a Reporter for The Southampton Press, but she can also be credited with contributions to Long Island Pulse Magazine and Hamptons Online. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Stony Brook University and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee.