In 2025, job hoppers saw an average pay rise of 4.8%, compared to 4.6% for employees who stayed put. On the UK’s average salary (£37,430), that’s a difference of just £75 a year, marking a dramatic shift from previous years. At the same time, overall wage growth has been cooling. In mid-2025, ONS reported that regular pay rose 5.0% (just 0.9% in real terms after inflation). While job hopping was thought to carry a clear financial advantage, the shrinking pay gap between job hoppers and stayers means long-term loyalty offers almost as much financial upside, alongside stronger security and benefits. 

With viral trends like #QuitTok celebrating dramatic resignations, it’s easy to assume that constant switching is the smart choice. Yet the data shows the gap between switching and staying has shrunk to almost nothing, while loyalty comes with career stability, stronger pensions, and long-service benefits. 

To explore why job hugging could be making a comeback, workplace solutions experts at Furniture At Work teamed up with workplace psychotherapist Eloise Skinner to break down the pros and cons.

Job-hopping  

Advantages:  

• Faster pay rises (average increase: £1,797/year)  
• Broader experience across industries  
• Access to new professional networks  

Disadvantages:  

• Less job security  
• Weaker pensions or multiple pension pots  
• Risk of being perceived as unreliable  
• Limited access to long-service benefits  

Eloise says: “Some people are driven to change jobs by a sense of dissatisfaction with their life or current career path.  

“There’s a dopamine hit that comes with starting something new, such as a feeling of improvement or momentum. Job hopping can enhance your ability to meet new people, explore different ideas or industries, and give you a broad range of knowledge from experiencing various work environments over time.”  

Job-hugging

Advantages:  

• Stable pay growth (average increase: £1,722/year)  
• Stronger promotion prospects  
• Deeper industry expertise  
• Access to long-term benefits and pensions  

Disadvantages:  

• Potentially slower pay growth  
• Fewer new experiences  
• Risk of career stagnation  

Eloise comments: “In the long term, job hopping might indicate a lack of commitment to a single career path or difficulty in forming long-term relationships with colleagues. For some individuals, it is crucial to address underlying issues that cause feelings of restlessness or non-commitment.”

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