A majority of U.S. job switchers between 2022 and 2024 not only changed employers but also left their industries entirely, signaling a seismic shift in workforce priorities post-pandemic.
At a Glance
- According to a study by Indeed, 64% of U.S. workers who switched jobs between 2022 and 2024 also changed career fields
- The biggest losses were in hospitality and tourism, with 91% of workers leaving the sector
- Arts and entertainment, child care, logistics support, and personal/home health each saw 86% exit rates
- Fields like nursing and software development retained the most workers, with only about 30–40% departures
- Motivations included remote work, better work-life balance, meaning, and higher pay
Mass Exodus from High-Stress Roles
Between 2022 and 2024, COVID-19 era catalysts triggered a historic reappraisal of careers. According to Business Insider, 64% of job switchers pivoted into completely new career paths. Sectors such as hospitality and tourism saw the steepest decline, with 91% of workers leaving due to low pay, long hours, and instability.
In creative and caregiving sectors—arts and entertainment, child care, logistics, and personal care—86% of workers exited, reflecting widespread burnout and undercompensation. These industries historically had minimal barriers to entry and lacked structural resilience post-lockdowns.
Watch a report: Why Millions of Workers Are Changing Careers.
Stability in Skilled, High-Paying Fields
By contrast, fields requiring specialized credentials or offering remote flexibility retained more workers. CNBC reports that nursing lost only about 28% of its workforce, while software development saw a 37% departure—among the lowest turnover rates. These sectors offered stability, higher pay, and alignment with new worker priorities.
Workers Reassessing Priorities
Indeed’s survey also revealed what is driving these shifts. Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they pursued roles with remote or hybrid work options. Fifty-two percent cited better work-life balance, 48% wanted more meaningful work, and 48% sought higher pay, as highlighted by Financial Express. The pandemic prompted many workers to reevaluate long-term career satisfaction and redefine success.
Implications for Employers and Markets
This wave of career switching—part of the larger “Great Resignation” phenomenon—continues to reshape the labor market. Industries that rely on low-wage, high-turnover labor face persistent talent shortages, while those that offer flexibility and purpose are becoming top destinations for career switchers. According to Bloomberg, employers must rethink job design, compensation, and workplace culture to attract and retain today’s evolving workforce.
For now, the message from millions of workers is clear: loyalty to an industry is no longer guaranteed—and meaningful change is driving career choices in the post-pandemic economy.
