Most job switchers are making a change in career: Top 5 fields they're leaving.

 

Between 2022 and 2024, a significant number of Americans who switched jobs also changed their careers, largely due to shifts initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Findings of the Indeed Study

• High Career Transition Rate. An Indeed study revealed that 64% of workers who switched jobs from 2022 to 2024 also changed careers. The study analyzed 35 million profiles on Indeed.

• Sectors with High Turnover The sectors with the highest rates of workers leaving include hospitality and arts and entertainment.

• Sectors with High Retention, Nursing and software development, had the most loyal workers.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Workforce

• Layoffs and New Perspectives The COVID-19 pandemic led to 22 million layoffs and prompted workers to reconsider their priorities.

• Labor Shortages Unprecedented labor shortages during the pandemic allowed workers to seek better pay, benefits, and rewards by changing jobs.

• Desire for Work-Life Balance. Many workers experienced burnout and sought better work-life balance, remote or hybrid work options, and greater job fulfillment.

Motivations for Career Changes

• Remote Work According to a FlexJobs survey, 67% of respondents cited the desire to work remotely as the top reason for changing careers.

• Work-Life Balance 52% of respondents sought better work-life balance.

• Meaningful Career 48% wanted a more meaningful or fulfilling career.

• Higher Pay 48% aimed for higher pay.

Historical Context

• Lower Job Tenure In January 2024, workers had a median tenure of 3.9 years with their current employer, which is down from 4.1 years in January 2022 and the shortest median tenure since January 2002.

• Less Common Practice Labor Department figures suggest that changing careers was less common in the past.

Occupations with the Highest and Lowest Switching Rates

• Top 5 Occupations Workers Left (2022-2024)

  1. Hospitality and Tourism (91% left)

  2. Arts and Entertainment (86% left)

  3. Child Care (86% left)

  4. Logistics Support (86% left)

  5. Personal Care and Home Health (86% left)

• Bottom 5 Occupations Workers Left (2022-2024)

  1. Nursing (28% left)

  2. Software Development (37% left)

  3. Dental (38% left)

  4. Therapy (51% left)

  5. Accounting (52% left)