The people are pivoting

 The people are pivoting

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If you’ve been spending company time browsing LinkedIn, you’re not alone—but you should probably consider getting a privacy screen. Nearly 80% of professionals in the US say they’re ready for a new job, and roughly half of that crowd is actively trying to switch fields this year, according to a recent survey by the job board site FlexJobs. Why? Remote options, higher salaries, and better work-life balance are the top reasons that workers want to change up their careers, per the survey. But recent layoffs in tech and media have also forced some people to find new pastures. Who’s switching up? Lots of millennials. The average age of a career pivot is ~39, but some Gen Xers also tend to hop around: Americans have held an average of 2.2 jobs between the ages of 45 and 54, according to government data. How an aging workforce plays into all this As life expectancy and the cost of living rise, more baby boomers are working longer to afford retirement, leaving fewer openings for young professionals. According to workforce data firm Revelio Labs: This phenomenon helped push the average age of American workers from 40.5 in 2022 to over 42 in 2025. Fields that saw the biggest jump in average age over the past decade include insurance, sales, real estate, and the service industry. Exceptions: Construction, plumbing, and other trade industries are facing an exodus of boomer retirees and a shortage of young, incoming workers. As data center build-outs boom, the recruiting firm Broadstaff has seen a spike in demand for electricians and technicians, providing a potential pivot for hundreds of thousands of tech workers who have been laid off since 2022.