Most UK job switchers are changing careers, not just employers
A growing share of UK workers are switching careers rather than simply moving between employers, highlighting rising demand for reskilling and workplace learning.
Analysis from Indeed Hiring Lab shows that around 2.4% of UK jobseekers change jobs each month, with 63% of those moves involving a switch into a different occupation. Official labour market data suggests around 1.2 million UK workers changed career paths in 2025.
The findings suggest that career mobility is becoming a defining feature of the labour market. As workers move between industries and occupations, employers are likely to face increasing pressure to support reskilling and continuous learning.
Job mobility varies significantly between occupations. Roles with lower entry barriers, including hospitality, retail and logistics, show the highest turnover. By contrast, professions requiring extensive training and specialist expertise, such as nursing, dentistry and software development, tend to retain workers within the field even when they move between employers.
UK job mobility, key figures
- 2.4% of UK Indeed users change jobs in an average month
- 63% of job switchers move into a different occupation
- 2.9 million people in the UK changed jobs in 2025 (ONS)
- 1.2 million workers changed career paths entirely in 2025
Occupations with the highest job switching
- Loading & stocking: 3.2% monthly switching rate
- Food preparation & service: 3.2%
- Hospitality & tourism: 2.9%
- Data & analytics: 2.9%
Occupations with the lowest job switching
- Beauty & wellness: 1.6%
- Nursing: 1.7%
- Electrical engineering: 1.8%