Job switching varies markedly by occupation, shaped by entry barriers, skill specialisation and labour demand.
Key points:
Job switching varies by occupation: Around 2.4% of Indeed users in the UK change jobs each month, with 63% of these moving into a different occupation. Turnover is highest in entry-level roles such as loading & stocking, food preparation & service, and hospitality & tourism, and lowest in occupations like beauty & wellness, nursing, and electrical engineering.
Barriers and accessibility influence mobility: Roles with lower entry requirements or more generalised skills attract more external talent, while specialised professions such as nursing, dentistry, and software development experience lower inflows and stronger occupational attachment.
Demand and skill investment drive retention: Occupations with high demand or significant barriers to entry see fewer workers leaving. High-demand or specialised roles, especially in healthcare, have lower exit rates, whereas temporary or junior roles in sectors like hospitality and retail experience much higher exit rates.
People change jobs for a variety of reasons. Higher pay...