What is the average number of jobs in a lifetime for a man or a woman?

That’s the topic of this article today. 

There are several factors that contribute to this trend, including the changing nature of work, the increasing demand for skills, and the desire for more personal fulfillment.

The average person, male, female, or non- binary, has 12 jobs in their lifetime.

This number has been increasing in recent years, as people are more likely to change jobs than they were in the past. 

In this article, we’ll explore the average number of jobs in a lifetime, the factors that contribute to this trend, and the implications for individuals and employers. 

Additionally, we’ll discuss some of the challenges and opportunities associated with changing jobs frequently.

Let’s discuss the average number of jobs a person has in a lifetime.

Key Statistics

  • In 1950, the average number of jobs people held in a lifetime was 4.
  • In 2020, the average number of jobs people held in a lifetime was 12.
  • In 2022, the average male employee stayed with an employer for 4.3 years.
  • In 2022, the average female employee stayed with an employer for 3.8 years. 
  • Millennials claim to change jobs every three years.
  • The average 25-34-year-old stays with an employer for 2.8 years. 

What is the Average Number of Jobs in a Lifetime for a Man or a Woman?

Gig Workers

In 2020, 12 is the average number of jobs a person has had in a lifetime.

The average number of jobs in a person’s lifetime has been increasing in recent years. 

Interestingly, iIn 1950, the average person held only 4 jobs in their lifetime.

Today, the figure is at least 3x as high in terms of how many lifetime jobs a person holds. 

The average number of jobs for a man in their lifetime is 12.5. This is slightly higher than the average number of jobs for women, which is 12.1. 

There are a few factors that contribute to this difference, including educational attainment, career aspirations, and job opportunities.

Men are more likely to have a college degree, which can lead to more job opportunities and higher salaries. 

They are also more likely to be interested in careers that involve risk-taking and leadership, which can lead to more job changes.

Additionally, men are more likely to be laid off or fired than women, which can also lead to more job changes

How Long Does the Average Person Remain with an Employer?

warehouse workers clapping hands together

Statistics from January 2022 show that the average person stays with an employer for 4.3 years among men and 3.8 years among women. 

In terms of generations, the average Millennial claims that they change jobs every three years.

However, , the average amount of time employees between 25 and 34 sticks with an employer comes to 2.8 years. 

Gen X and Baby boomers, especially those between 55 and 64 stay an average of 9.9 years with one employer.

Notice the wide gap between these generations and Millennials in terms of how long they stay with employers.

How long a person stays with an employer has a direct impact on how many jobs changes they make. 

Does Race/Ethnicity Have an Impact on How Long a Worker Stays with an Employer?

If we look at race/ethnicity, we will find that 29% of White/Caucasian workers stay at their job or employer for at least 10 years.

When we look at the Black/African American community, that figure is 23%.

For Hispanics/Latinos, this is even lower at 22%.

However, Asian workers will stick with an employer for at least 10 years at 26%. 

Recent data reveals that there are more White/Caucasian people aged 55 and over in the workforce over other races/ethnicities.

Asian and Black/African American communities account for 19% each in this 55-plus workers demographic.

Finally, Hispanics in the workforce who are aged 55 or older make up 15% of the workforce. 

What’s the Difference for Years at a Job by Industry and Occupation?

People in local government jobs tend to stay longer in their jobs at median of 6.6 years.

However, the leisure and hospitality industry doesn’t retain as well because they only keep employees a median of 2.3 years. 

In terms of occupation, food service employees stay a median of 1.9 years, while those in legal and management jobs stay a median of 5.8 years.

That’s quite a significant difference.

Why Has the Number of Jobs in a Person’s Lifetime Changed?

There are some things that contribute to why people change jobs so often nowadays, including:

  • The changing nature of work: The nature of work has changed significantly in recent years. Jobs are becoming more specialized and require more skills. This means that people are more likely to need to change jobs in order to keep up with the changing demands of the workforce.
  • The increasing demand for skills: The demand for skills has also increased in recent years. This is due to the increasing complexity of the global economy. In order to stay competitive, businesses need employees with the skills to do the job. This means that people are more likely to need to change jobs in order to acquire new skills.
  • The desire for more personal fulfillment: People are also more likely to change jobs in order to find more personal fulfillment. In the past, people were more likely to stay in jobs for the long term, even if they were not happy. However, today, people are more likely to prioritize their own happiness and well-being. This means that they are more likely to change jobs if they are not happy with their current situation.

Here are even more things that impact the number of jobs a person has in their lifetime:

  • Education: People with higher levels of education are more likely to have more job opportunities and higher salaries. This can lead to more job changes over time.
  • Career aspirations: People who are ambitious and want to climb the corporate ladder are more likely to have more job changes. They may be willing to take on new challenges and opportunities, even if it means moving to a new job.
  • Job opportunities: The availability of job opportunities can also affect the number of jobs a person has in their lifetime. In some industries, there are more job openings than there are qualified workers. This can lead to people having more job changes as they move from one opportunity to the next.
  • Layoffs and firings: People who are laid off or fired are more likely to have more job changes. This is because they may have to start over at a new company, which can lead to a new job title and new responsibilities.

What are Some Reasons People Give for Changing Jobs?

How Many Gig Workers Are There in The US

Not only are there factors that affect how many jobs people have in their lifetime or how long they stay at a job, but people also offer reasons for changing jobs. 

Here are the top reasons people change jobs:

  • Pay raises are low and average about 3%
  • 33% of employees changed jobs for a pay increase
  • 21% want to pursue a new career
  • 20% seek more opportunities for upward mobility
  • 32% have been considering a job or career change for a year

Conclusion

The increasing number of jobs in a lifetime has both challenges and opportunities.

On the one hand, it can be challenging to keep up with the changing demands of the workforce. 

On the other hand, it can also be an opportunity to find new and challenging opportunities.

Ultimately, the decision of how many jobs to have in a lifetime is a personal one. 

There is no right or wrong number, and what is right for one person may not be right for another.

Some of the things that affect how many jobs a person has in a lifetime include their education level, their occupation/career, the industry, and other things mentioned in this article. 

We hope you have gotten something helpful from this article and that we have sufficiently addressed the average number of jobs in a lifetime for you. 

Sources

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