Career Change Statistics for 2026

Overview

Career changes are no longer rare events—they're becoming the norm for American workers. Whether driven by the pursuit of higher salaries, better work-life balance, or simply the desire for more fulfilling work, millions of workers are successfully navigating career transitions each year.

This report compiles verified statistics to help you understand the current landscape of career changes and what it means for your own professional journey.

Key Statistics

Detailed Findings

How Common Are Career Changes?

• 52% — American employees who are considering making a career change in 2026 (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 44% — Workers who are already actively planning to make a career switch (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 15% — Percentage of workers who changed jobs in 2022, up from 11% in 2021 (Source: BLS Monthly Labor Review, 2024)
• 12 jobs — Estimated number of jobs the average person will have during their lifetime (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 29% — People who have completely changed fields since starting their first job after college (Source: edX Survey via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 32% — Workers aged 25 to 44 who considered a career change in the last year (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)

Age Demographics and Job Changes

• 39 years old — Average age when people make a career change (Source: CNBC/Indeed via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 5.7 times — Average number of job changes for workers aged 18-24 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 2.4 times — Average number of job changes for workers aged 25-34 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 2.9 times — Average number of job changes for workers aged 35-44 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 1.9 times — Average number of job changes for workers aged 45-52 (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• 4.6 years — Average tenure with current employer for employees with wages and salaries (Source: BLS Economic News Release, 2026)
• 3.9 years — Average time employees spend in a job before switching (Source: Boterview via Apollo Technical, 2026)

Career Change Success Rates and Outcomes

• 80% — Career changers who report being happier in their new field than in their previous role (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 77% — Career changers who report earning the same or more within two years of making the switch (Source: BLS Research via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 6 to 12 months — Typical timeline for most career changers to land a new role (Source: LinkedIn Workforce Data via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 40% faster — Transition speed for career changers who pursued targeted certifications or online courses compared to those who relied solely on networking (Source: LinkedIn via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 17% — Career changers who say they regret making the change (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)
• Higher engagement and productivity — Employees who successfully changed careers report higher long-term engagement and productivity compared to those who stayed in outgrown roles (Source: Harvard Business Review via Apollo Technical, 2026)

Motivations for Career Changes

• 39% — Career changers motivated by higher salaries (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 21% — Career changers motivated by interest in a different field (Source: edX Survey via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 20% — Career changers looking for upward mobility (Source: edX Survey via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 3-5% — Typical annual pay increase for staying in the same role, making career changes more attractive for salary growth (Source: SHRM via Apollo Technical, 2026)

Industries People Are Switching To

• Technology — Nearly one in three tech workers came from a completely different industry, with many transitioning through bootcamps and online certifications (Source: CompTIA via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• Healthcare — Significant influx of career changers annually, particularly into roles like medical coding, health services management, and patient care (Source: BLS Industry Data via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• Finance and Accounting — Approximately 40% of financial analysts and advisors previously worked in an unrelated field (Source: SHRM via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• Skilled Trades — Growing destination for career changers in their 30s and 40s seeking hands-on work, job stability, and strong earning potential without a four-year degree (Source: NACEWEB via Apollo Technical, 2026)

Industries People Are Leaving

• Education — Teacher attrition has accelerated, with educators moving to corporate training, instructional design, and e-learning development (Source: National Education Data/NEA via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• Retail and Hospitality — Highest outbound career change rates of any sector, with workers citing burnout, low wages, and limited advancement (Source: Apollo Technical, 2026)

Career Length and Lifetime Work

• 90,000 hours — Average number of hours a person will work over their lifetime (Source: Gettysburg College via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 13 years and 2 months — Amount of a person's life spent at work (Source: HuffPost Australia via Apollo Technical, 2026)
• 5.5 years — Median tenure for managers, professionals, and similar occupations (Source: BLS, 2026)
• 3.2 years — Median tenure for workers in service occupations (Source: BLS, 2026)
• 10.3 years — Average job tenure for workers age 65 or older (Source: BLS, 2026)

What This Means for You

Career Changes Are Normal and Often Successful

With 52% of American employees considering a career change and 80% of those who made the switch reporting higher satisfaction, career transitions are both common and often successful.

The data shows that career changes are no longer a risky move—they're a strategic career management tool used by millions of workers annually.

Timing and Age Matter Less Than You Think

While the average career change happens at age 39, workers of all ages successfully transition. Younger workers (18-24) change jobs 5.7 times on average, while even workers in their 40s and 50s are making successful transitions, particularly into skilled trades and healthcare.

Financial Outcomes Are Generally Positive

While 39% of career changers cite higher salaries as their motivation, 77% report earning the same or more within two years. This is particularly significant compared to the 3-5% annual raises typical for staying in the same role.

Short-term pay dips during transition are common, but most career changers recover financially within 24 months.

Preparation Accelerates Success

Career changers who pursue targeted certifications or online courses transition 40% faster than those who rely solely on networking. The most successful transitions combine retraining, networking, and strategic job applications.

Choose Your Destination Industry Wisely

Technology, healthcare, finance, and skilled trades are the top destinations for career changers, offering high demand, competitive salaries, and strong growth projections.

Meanwhile, retail, hospitality, and education are seeing the highest outbound rates due to burnout and limited advancement opportunities.

Methodology

This report synthesizes data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic research, workforce analytics firms, and career development organizations published between 2024-2026. All statistics are verified and cited with sources and publication years.

Primary data sources include:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Employment tenure and job mobility data
• Apollo Technical - Comprehensive career change statistics compilation (2026)
• LinkedIn Workforce Data - Career transition timelines and outcomes
• CompTIA, SHRM, NACEWEB - Industry-specific career change trends
• Harvard Business Review - Career change success and engagement research
• edX Survey - Field-change statistics among college graduates

Sources

1. Apollo Technical - 27 Remarkable Career Change Statistics To Know (February 2026)
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - What factors do workers consider when changing jobs? (2024)
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employee Tenure Summary (2026)
4. Shortlister - Top 66 Career Change Statistics in 2024
5. Novoresume - 60+ Career Change Statistics for 2024