Revealed: Employees stay in a job for 28 months before moving to a new opportunity

Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 07:16 pm

Research shows top ten job roles UK employees stay in the longest

Leading job search engine, Adzuna, has analysed data from 10,000* CVs to reveal the average length of time employees stay in each job role before going elsewhere.

According to Adzuna’s data, it takes UK employees 28 months on average before they get the new job itch.

Top ten job roles employees stay in the longest**:

1. Enterprise Architect  – 7 years and 6 months (Average salary: £80,669)

2. Machine Operator – 5 years and 8 months (£23,576)

3. Shift Manager – 4 years and 4 months (£27,999)

4. Team Leader and Director – 3 years and 9 months (£21,396, £45,405)

5. Coach – 3 years and 7 months (£36,118)

6. Cashier and Shop Manager – 3 years and 6 months (£23,610, £25,253)

7. Social Care Worker – 3 years and 4 months (£29,804)

8. Cleaner Casual and Chief Executive Officer – 3 years and 3 months (£16,247, £42,673)

9. Office Manager – 3 years and 2 months (£33,025)

10. Chief Marketing Officer – 3 years and 1 month (£46,712)

At the other end of the spectrum, the data also explored the roles employees are ditching the quickest.

Top ten job roles employees stay in for the least amount of time**:

1. Medical Sales Representative – 11 months (Average salary: £37,339)

2. Marketing Assistant – 1 year and 1 month (£28,255)

3. Full Stack Developer – 1 year and 2 months (£55,575)

4. Teaching Assistant, Social Worker and Researcher – 1 year and 3 months (£19,200, £43,335, £38,584)

5. General Assistant and Construction Engineer – 1 year and 4 months (£23,767, £41,173)

6. e-Commerce Business Analyst, Analyst, Waiter/Waitress, Ambassador, Customer Service – 1 year and 5 months (£50,770, £42,651, £23,324, £26,971, £20,524)

7. Executive – 1 year  and 6 months (£37,754)

8. Test Engineer, Graphic Designer, Receptionist, Kitchen Porter, Tutor, Personal Assistant – 1 year 7 months (£42,348, £33,177, £22,757, £18,889, £49,581, £22,635)

9. Secretary, Healthcare Assistant, Accountant, Accounting Assistant, Barperson, Web Developer, Sous Chef – 1 year and 8 months (£30,118, £27,068, £37,974, £28,896, £21,500, £44,512, £25,911)

10. Customer Assistant, Sales Adviser, Research Associate, Programme Manager, Office Administrator – 1 year and 9 months (£23,130, £26,400, £38,538, £45,799, £23,623)

These findings suggest, it’s not all about salary when it comes to an employee’s length of service. While the role keeping staff the longest (Enterprise Architect) does have the highest salary, the second longest earns below the national average*** at £23,576.

Additionally, employees in the above national average salary roles such as e-Commerce Business Analyst (£50,770) are ditching their roles quickly (after one year and five months on average).

When it comes to how to retain staff, YouGov data shows there’s a natural desire for a good salary and benefits among UK employees, with over a third (35%) looking for a higher salary and one in five (19%) seeking benefits like healthcare, childcare and holiday allowances. Outside of benefits though, employed Brits are looking for a good work life balance (31%), variety in their projects (10%) and the ability to learn from their employers (17%).

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, comments: “Sometimes life can get in the way and changes in circumstance can inevitably force people to move on quicker than expected, but this data gives job hunters a good outline of the roles that have the most longevity.

“In terms of what employers can do to create the best possible working environment for staff, it’s clear from what YouGov can show us that while monetary benefits can help, it’s opportunities for development and progression, as well as a good work/life balance that make people more inclined to stick around.”