The Big Stay: Why Holding Onto Your Job Now Beats Switching
After years of the Great Resignation encouraging workers to switch jobs for better pay, 2025 has flipped the script. New data shows that employees who stay put in their current roles are now seeing better year-over-year wage growth than those who quit to switch jobs. This trend, dubbed "The Big Stay," marks a rare reversal not seen consistently since 2009.
In May 2025, industries dominated by white-collar jobs—such as information technology, professional services, and business management—reported robust wage growth, with hourly earnings rising around 5-6%. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, median wage growth for job stayers has outpaced that of job switchers since February, signaling that loyalty is financially rewarding in the current labor market.
This shift reflects employers' growing reluctance to hire amid economic uncertainty. Companies are cautious about expanding headcount and no longer feel pressured to offer large raises to attract new talent. Consequently, workers who have remained in their roles benefit from low layoffs and steady pay increases, effectively becoming the new "upper class" in white-collar sectors.
On the flip side, job seekers face a tougher market. Hiring rates are near decade lows, and many who switch jobs are accepting lower-paying or less senior roles, especially in tech. Increased competition, partly due to a higher number of college-educated candidates and cautious hiring practices, is forcing some workers to trade down in both title and salary.
Economists advise that if a new opportunity offers meaningful career advancement and a healthy raise, switching jobs can still be worthwhile. However, for many, staying put offers a safer path to wage growth in an uncertain economy.
In summary, the era of quitting to chase higher pay has paused, replaced by a period where job stability and loyalty are paying off more than ever for white-collar workers.
The Big Stay: Why Holding Onto Your Job Now Beats Switching
After years of the Great Resignation encouraging workers to switch jobs for better pay, 2025 has flipped the script. New data shows that employees who stay put in their current roles are now seeing better year-over-year wage growth than those who quit to switch jobs. This trend, dubbed "The Big Stay," marks a rare reversal not seen consistently since 2009.
In May 2025, industries dominated by white-collar jobs—such as information technology, professional services, and business management—reported robust wage growth, with hourly earnings rising around 5-6%. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, median wage growth for job stayers has outpaced that of job switchers since February, signaling that loyalty is financially rewarding in the current labor market.
This shift reflects employers' growing reluctance to hire amid economic uncertainty. Companies are cautious about expanding headcount and no longer feel pressured to offer large raises to attract new talent. Consequently, workers who have remained in their roles benefit from low layoffs and steady pay increases, effectively becoming the new "upper class" in white-collar sectors.
On the flip side, job seekers face a tougher market. Hiring rates are near decade lows, and many who switch jobs are accepting lower-paying or less senior roles, especially in tech. Increased competition, partly due to a higher number of college-educated candidates and cautious hiring practices, is forcing some workers to trade down in both title and salary.
Economists advise that if a new opportunity offers meaningful career advancement and a healthy raise, switching jobs can still be worthwhile. However, for many, staying put offers a safer path to wage growth in an uncertain economy.
In summary, the era of quitting to chase higher pay has paused, replaced by a period where job stability and loyalty are paying off more than ever for white-collar workers.