American workers are holding onto their jobs for longer periods as economic uncertainty continues to shape career decisions. A new survey from Software Finder, a platform that connects businesses with software solutions, shows a clear rise in what researchers are calling “job hugging”, with many workers choosing stability over advancement.

The study from September 2025, involving 1,002 employed Americans, found that 71% have stayed in the same role at the same company for more than two years. The shift marks a change from the era of the Great Resignation, when workers moved frequently in search of better conditions.

Key findings

• 71% of employed Americans are job hugging by remaining in the same role for more than two years.
• 40% have not searched for a new job in the past six months, and nearly one in six say they have no plans to look soon.
• 56% of job huggers say economic fears, rather than loyalty, keep them in place.
• Nearly 1 in 3 job huggers regret missing raises by staying too long.
• Only 55% believe their current job supports professional growth, compared with 70% of non-huggers.

Men and women show similar rates, with 72% of men and 70% of women reporting job hugging. The highest rates appear in hospitality at 82%, healthcare at 76%, education at 71%, and retail or e-commerce at 71%.

Younger workers stand out for their willingness to move. Only 6% of Gen Z respondents say they intend to stay put, and 35% are actively job hunting, compared with 23% of Gen X and 13% of millennials.

Mental health and motivation

For many, staying in post has affected their well-being. The survey reports that 34% of job huggers feel their role is harming their mental health. A further 13% say they remain in their job because they fear a weakening job market.

Economic pressure is most pronounced in retail at 67%, marketing or media at 65%, government at 63%, and healthcare at 61%.

Adnan Malik, CEO of Software Finder, said the findings surprised the team. He said: “The scale of job hugging caught us off guard. It shows just how much economic anxiety is reshaping worker behavior across every major industry.”

Regrets and stalled progression

The survey indicates widespread regret among workers who stayed in their roles for too long. Finance workers show the highest rate of missed raises at 45%, followed by tech at 35% and manufacturing at 32%. Marketing professionals are the most likely to regret missing promotions at 31%.

Half of job huggers feel they are falling behind professionally, and one in five regret not moving during the Great Resignation. More than a quarter have applied for new jobs only to withdraw due to fear or uncertainty.

Despite this, many still express openness to change if the right opportunity appears. This includes 95% in manufacturing, 92% in hospitality, and 90% in retail or e-commerce.

Shane Elahi, COO of Software Finder, said: “Staying put can feel safe in the moment, but for many, it is costing them real progress, with missed raises, promotions, and chances to grow their careers.”

Security versus development

The study also suggests that job hugging can reduce burnout for some. Among job huggers, 62% feel protected from burnout, though this compares with 71% of non-huggers who say they experience high levels of burnout. The trade-off appears most visible in career development.

Only 55% of job huggers believe their current job supports growth, compared with 70% of workers who remain open to moving. Marium Lodhi, CMO of Software Finder, said, “There is a clear trade-off between feeling secure and staying challenged. When people choose stability, they often put their development on hold without realising it.”

The respondent group consisted of 16% Gen Z, 56% millennials, 23% Gen X, and 5% baby boomers.