A common narrative about Millennials and Generation Z workers is that they frequently switch jobs. However, research finds that younger workers today show job retention patterns that closely mirror previous generations at the same stage of their careers.
Debunking the Job-Hopping Myth: A Data-Driven Look at Tenure and Turnover Among Younger Workers uses decades of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and additional independent research to examine employee tenure across generations.
The research finds:
- Median job tenure is nearly identical across generations. Workers aged 25–34 in 2024 (Millennials and Gen Z) had a median tenure of 2.7 years, only slightly lower than Baby Boomers at the same age in 1983.
- Economic conditions, rather than generational attitudes, drive worker turnover. Quit rates rise during strong economies and fall during recessions, as seen during the 2008 Great Recession and the 2020 pandemic.
- Public sector benefits promote retention. State and local government employees have significantly lower quit rates due to more widespread access to pensions and healthcare benefits.
- Industry differences shape job stability. Manufacturing jobs, which traditionally offer stronger benefits, show higher retention rates compared to retail and professional services.
The research is authored by Dan Doonan, NIRS executive director, Tyler Bond, NiRS research director, and William Kenneally, NIRS intern.