Case study
Employee Tenure 2024 vs 2026: What the BLS Data Shows
Government data shows U.S. workers staying slightly longer with their employers, with notable shifts by age and sector, and what that means for career decisions.
4.1 yearsMedian tenure, January 2026 (3.9 years in 2024)
3.0 yearsMedian tenure, workers aged 25 to 34 (2.7 in 2024)
3.9 yearsMedian tenure, private sector (3.5 in 2024)
Method
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics measures employee tenure, the time workers have been with their current employer, through a supplement to the Current Population Survey every two years. We compared the January 2024 and January 2026 releases.
Results
| Measure | January 2024 | January 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median tenure, all wage and salary workers | 3.9 years | 4.1 years | +0.2 |
| Ages 25 to 34 | 2.7 years | 3.0 years | +0.3 |
| Ages 55 to 64 | 9.6 years | 9.6 years | 0.0 |
| Private sector | 3.5 years | 3.9 years | +0.4 |
| Public sector | 6.2 years | 5.6 years | -0.6 |
| Men | 4.2 years | 4.3 years | +0.1 |
| Women | 3.6 years | 4.0 years | +0.4 |
Source: BLS, Employee Tenure in 2026 and Employee Tenure in 2024.
Interpretation
- Workers are staying a little longer. Median tenure rose from 3.9 to 4.1 years. A slower hiring market, with fewer outside offers, is one plausible contributor, but the BLS release does not attribute a cause, and tenure is also shaped by the age mix of the workforce.
- The gap between private and public sectors narrowed. Private tenure rose while public tenure fell, though public employees still stay longer on average, partly because they are older.
- Women's tenure rose the most among the groups shown, closing much of the gap with men.
What it means for your career
Longer tenure in a slow market is a reminder to keep growing where you are: ask for new scope, document results and benchmark your pay. When you do move, a record of achievements makes the change easier. See how long you should stay at a job for a decision checklist.
Sources
- Employee Tenure in 2026, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 24, 2026)
- Employee Tenure in 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (September 26, 2024)