When researchers analyse wage growth, they often compare two groups of employees:
đź“Ś Job Stayers – Employees who remain with the same employer
đź“Ś Job Switchers – Employees who move to a different employer
For years, research showed that job switchers generally enjoyed faster wage growth than job stayers.
However, more recent studies suggest that the gap is narrowing. Job switchers still tend to receive larger salary increases, but the advantage is no longer as significant as it was during the post-pandemic hiring boom.
For example, the ADP Research Institute, which studies workforce trends, reported that during the Great Resignation in April 2022:
⏺️ Job Stayers: approx. 7.8%
⏺️ Job Switchers: approx. 16.0%
By January 2026:
⏺️ Job Stayers: approx. 4.5%
⏺️ Job Switchers: approx. 6.4%
It’s still higher for switchers, but it’s nowhere near the huge gap we used to see.
Companies have become more aware of the cost of replacing experienced employees. Many are investing more in retention, conducting more frequent pay reviews, and competing less aggressively for new hires than they were during the hiring boom.
So, should we still job hop?
Why not, if there’s a better opportunity comes along? In fact, I personally benefited from a 33% salary increase by changing jobs.
Job hopping still delivers a salary premium. The question is whether that premium is large enough to justify giving up accumulated trust, institutional knowledge, and the career capital we’ve spent years building.
To explore both sides of this debate, I’ll be speaking at Invest Fair 2026 on 19 July 2026 (Sunday) from 2.00pm to 3.00pm at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre KL, as one of the panellists for:
🎤 Job Hopping Every 2 Years: Smart Career Move or Risky Habit?
If you’re attending, come by, challenge our views, and let’s have an honest conversation about what really works in today’s job market.
Semoga ada jodoh!
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
