Money is a Primary Driver of Job Change

A recent AARP study finds that one in six adults age 50-plus are planning to make a job change in 2024.

More than two in five (42%) report that they plan to get a new job, while one in four (24%) say they are not sure yet what that change will be.

What is driving the change? Money is the top reported reason (58%), followed by wanting to feel valued (29%), and a desire for flexible work options (27%).

We are still seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic where priorities have changed. In fact, almost one in 10 say the main reason for planning a job change is that they want to make a difference or do something meaningful. And, for those planning a job change, top resources that would be helpful include a list of occupations that would be a good fit for their skills and information on how to build self-confidence to make a job change.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted from January 18–23, 2024 among 1,135 U.S. adults age 50-plus in the Foresight 50+ Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population age 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and via phone. All data are weighted by age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.

For more information about this survey, please contact Lona Choi-Allum at lallum@aarp.org.  For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.