Changing jobs can sometimes feel like part of the culture in tech. With new opportunities and technologies always emerging, it’s easy to assume people move around more often than in other industries. But how true is that when we ask professionals themselves?
We recently ran a LinkedIn poll asking:
“How long have you typically stayed in your past tech roles?”
Out of 69 responses:
- Less than 1 year – 3%
- 1-2 years – 35%
- 3-5 years – 38%
- 5+ years – 25%
The responses gave us a great insight into how people in tech view job stability and progression in today’s market.
People Are Still Looking for Stability
For an industry that’s known for its pace and constant change, it was interesting to see that most people said they’d stayed three years or more in their previous roles. That tells us that one tech professionals find the right fit, they're not in a rush to leave.
This fits with what other research shows too. Studies suggest the average tenure for someone in tech sits between 2.5 and 4.3 years, and another found the overall average to be around three years. Even across all industries, the median tenure in the US is currently 3.9 years.
So, while the tech world might move quickly, most professionals are still looking for some level of stability and long-term growth once they find the right environment.
Contracting Makes a Big Difference
Of course, not everyone’s career path looks the same. In tech, contracting has become a huge part of how people work, and it naturally shapes how long someone stays in a role.
Some professionals prefer shorter-term contracts because they offer flexibility, variety, and exposure to new projects and technologies. Others prefer permanent positions that give them the space to grow within a company. Both are valid paths and often depend on personal goals or the stage of someone's career.
According to a 2025 report from Contracting PLUS and Trinity College Dublin, the average contract length in Ireland’s tech/ICT sector now sits at 15 months, with shorter-term engagements (6 months or less) making up 24% of contract roles in 2025.
If you see a CV with a few shorter stints, it might not be a red flag – it could be someone building a varied and flexible career through contracting.
What This Means for Employers
If you’re hiring, this is a good reminder to look beyond just how long someone stayed in each job.
- A couple of shorter roles might reflect contract work or early-career exploration.
- Three to five years usually shows someone who’s contributed, developed, and moved on at the right time.
- And rather than asking how long someone stayed, it’s often better to ask why they moved.
Retention in tech often comes down to career growth, recognition, and meaningful work – not just salary. Studies have shown that the vast majority of professionals would stay longer if their employer invested in their development and made progression clear.
The results from our poll are a good reminder that there’s no single ‘right’ career path. Some people thrive in long-term, stable roles where they can grow and make an impact over time. Others build their careers through short-term projects, learning new skills and exploring different environments.
Whatever the approach, the goal is usually the same: to find work that feels meaningful and helps you progress. It’s not really about how long you stay in a role. It’s about what you achieve while you’re there.