The Great Resignation Rush: When Americans Are Most Likely to Quit Their Jobs

From pay dissatisfaction to career changes, workers across generations are reevaluating their priorities and making big moves. But when are employees most likely to resign, and what’s driving them to leave?

This study uncovers key trends in job resignations, including peak quitting months, industry shifts, and financial factors keeping people in roles longer than they’d like. Whether you’re an employer preparing for turnover or a worker considering your next career move, these insights reveal when and why Americans are making their exits.

Key takeaways

1 in 4 Americans have quit their job in the past 2 years.
1 in 5 Americans plan to quit their job in 2025.
June and May are the peak months for job resignations.
9 in 10 Americans have stayed in a job longer than desired due to financial concerns.
1 in 2 Americans are considering switching industries.

01. The most popular times Americans quit their jobs

Job resignations are more common than you might think—millions of Americans have left their jobs recently, and many more are planning to do so soon. The timing of these decisions varies by generation, industry, and even the month of the year.

Asset showing When Americans Frequently Quit Their Jobs

In the past 2 years, 1 in 4 Americans have quit their jobs. Gen Z led the way, with 37% resigning, followed by baby boomers (29%), millennials (26%), and Gen X (20%).

Looking ahead, 1 in 5 Americans plan to quit in the next year, with millennials and Gen Z (both at 23%) being the most likely to make a move. Gen X follows at 19%, while only 6% of baby boomers are considering an exit. Workers in the following industries are the most likely to be planning to quit in the next year:

Healthcare
Manufacturing
Tech
Retail
Finance

June and May are the most popular months for resignations, each accounting for 15% and 12% of planned quits, respectively. July and September tie at 9%, while January sees the fewest planned resignations at just 3%.

02. Why Americans stay at—or leave—their jobs

Money, work environment, and career growth all play a role in why people choose to quit their jobs. Some workers leave quickly, while others stay in positions longer than they want—often due to financial concerns.

Asset showing Primary Motivations Behind Job Resignations

Seeking better pay is the top reason for job resignations, especially among Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. Baby boomers are most likely to leave due to a toxic work environment. Millennials also cite dissatisfaction with management and a lack of career growth, while personal life changes and burnout are other key factors for Gen Z.

Even with these frustrations, financial concerns keep many workers from quitting: 9 in 10 Americans have stayed in a job longer than they wanted for this reason. A third have stayed for over a year, which is most common among baby boomers (62%) and least common among Gen Z (13%). Healthcare (47%), nonprofit (41%), and education (39%) workers are also more likely to delay quitting for more than 1 year, compared to those in other industries.

Right now, 1 in 6 Americans are still in jobs they’d rather leave, with Gen Z (21%) and Gen X (20%) leading the trend.

03. Industries and goals driving career changes

Many Americans are looking for new opportunities, and for some, that means switching industries entirely. Whether for better pay, career growth, or work-life balance, job seekers are making moves across a wide range of fields.

Asset showing Top Industries Americans Want to Transition To

Half of Americans are considering changing industries, with Gen X leading at 57%, followed by Gen Z (52%), millennials (48%), and baby boomers (35%). The most popular industries vary by generation—tech is the top choice across all age groups except Gen Z, who are more likely to pursue careers in healthcare or creative fields.

Baby boomers are also interested in moving to the healthcare industry and in freelancing or gig work, while Gen X is more drawn to pursuing entrepreneurship and creative fields. Millennials are also interested in changing to a freelancing, gig work, or entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Beyond industry shifts, career goals play a major role in job changes. Career advancement is the top goal for 1 in 5 Gen Z workers, but overall, workers are most often hoping for better pay, remote work opportunities, and better work-life balance.

04. Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 American employees to uncover the peak month for job resignations, plus their reasons for quitting, timing, and other contributing factors. The average age of employees was 41; 49% of respondents were women, 50% were male, and 1% were non-binary. Generationally, 9% were baby boomers, 28% were Gen X, 51% were millennials, and 11% were Gen Z. Percentages throughout this study may not total 100 exactly due to rounding.

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