A new study from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) disputes the widespread belief that Millennial and Gen Z workers are more prone to switching jobs than older generations.
Using decades of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and independent research, the analysis shows that job tenure among today’s younger workers is nearly identical to that of Baby Boomers and Gen X when they were at similar career stages.
According to the report, workers aged 25 to 34 in 2024 have a median job tenure of 2.7 years, closely matching figures from the early 1980s. The study shows that frequent job changes among younger employees are not new; rather, they reflect early-career exploration, a pattern consistent across generations.
The findings emphasize that economic conditions, not generational traits, are the primary force behind job turnover. Quit rates tend to rise during periods of economic growth and fall during downturns, as was evident during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research also points to the role of benefits in employee retention. State and local government jobs, which often provide pensions and healthcare, tend to see significantly lower quit rates. Meanwhile, industries like manufacturing — which offer more stable employment and stronger benefits — report higher retention compared to sectors like retail and professional services.
NIRS suggests that employers and policymakers should focus less on generational stereotypes and more on strengthening job quality and benefits to support workforce stability.
