According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person stays at one job for 4.6 years. However, the numbers show that for younger people, the average time is 3.2 years, but for people over the age of 65, the average is 10.3 years. Millennials are staying at jobs for shorter periods of time than older generations used to. It’s not uncommon to switch jobs every two-three years. In fact, this is what job recruiters look for on resumes.
Where do you stand? Have you ever worked for one employer continuously for 20 years or more? If you answer yes, will you tell us what you do (or did) as a profession in the comments below the poll? We’d like to know. Thanks!
42 years at GM
25 years with International Paper until they shut the plant down. I went back to college and worked my remaining years rehabbing teen felons. Best job I had.
I’m at 19 years in April this year. I could click yes as continue to work there for another 10 years yet.
24 years at Lincoln Financial. Started as agent and retired as Sales VP. I was fortunate to have good people with me all along the way.
I’ll be 20 years in March, so probably close enough to click yes. Planning about 10 more years. I’ve been blessed with amazing colleagues who have become family and a corporate culture that is positive, ethical, and has a legacy of strong and compassionate leadership. I’m in generation X, so I guess I’m in the “older generations” category!
Have had my own one man company for 28 years.
35 years with (not in) the Indiana Dept of Corrections.
33 years at Building Ventures, Inc. in Georgia
Out of high school I worked for a defense contractor building submarines for 13 years. However, during my tenure I did change positions and responsibilities several times. Afterwards, I was a technology education teacher for 25 years (loved it). Concurrently to both careers, I was a property manager for 39 years before I sold out and retired completely.
26 Years in the U.S. Navy and exactly 20 years to the day at my local Hospital in the Maintenance Department.
U.S. Navy for 25 years – Saw the world and loved it.
35 Years with Indiana Bell!
Worked for the same company through various mergers acquisitions and consolidations for 31 years before retiring in 2019
38 years with Southwestern Bell/AT&T.
Spent 25 years trying to educate the youths of yesterday.
27 years as a social worker primarily with the chronically mentally ill elderly former state hospital patients.
U.S. Navy with 22 years of service. It was an honor to serve this great nation!
30 years UPS
I did 32, out of Shrewsbury, MA, feeders
I spent 18 years at one job, then became self employed for the next 20 years. That second boss was a &%$##. Now he’s my wife’s problem.
42.5 years at Motorola Service as technician and project manager.
22 years United States Army. Only two wars.
Uncle Sam’s Air Force for 20 years, 3 months and 2 days. But who’s counting?
31 years with Ford Motor Company. Retired in 2019.
33 years with a power production company managing equipment outages for maintenance.
38 years as a financial advisor (CFP) same broker-dealer, firm started in 1894: IDS Financial>American Express Financial Advisors>Ameriprise Financial. Not a typical career choice for a female at the time!
A little over 20 years driving for Reddaway truck line from whom I retired in 2013. A few others before I found my ‘home’ there.
36 years as a nurse
RN – NICU , still going!
25 years at a Juvenile Court advocating for abused and neglected children
33 years at various positions in a valve manufacturing facility that supplied the petroleum, pulp & paper industries, NASA, and the average household with various types of valves and actuators in sizes from 1/4 inch to 72 inches.
Would have worked there longer if I hadn’t retired early to begin a life of fulltime RVing with my wife who was working as a travel nurse. Both retired now and settled down in Florida.
47 years as a diesel truck mechanic. The last 20.5 years at FedEx Express before I retired 6 years ago.
38 years developer of affordable housing and preservation of historic buildings
38 years with an electric utility. Lead Scientist in the corporate Nuclear Chemistry group supporting operation of our plants.
31 years 4 months with federal government.
17 years with a large commercial Plumbing, Heating and A/C co. then 22years as a self employed Master Plumber. Still going to work and rving when possible.
36 years as a test equipment designer and builder and ended up as a quality engineer for Sandia National Laboratories in NM.
22.5 years U S Navy. Varied jobs include welding, firefighting, plumbing. Later was a damage analyst and safety inspector.
49 years at a small Wisconsin firm.
20.5 years U.S. Air Force then 20 years as government contractor at our local military installation (however, because of new contracts, there were probably five different individual companies during that 20 years).
20.5 years as a Surveillance Operator and Shift Manager at the Mohegan Sun Casino in CT. Retired in December 2016.
Graduated from college and, unsure of my career path, started a media production company. 40 years later I’m still at it, it’s the only job on my resume.
26 years of dedication and extreme profitability and then someone noticed I was almost 60 years old and laid me off.
43.5 years at Granite City Steel. I was a Steelworker, now happily retired.
yes I retired after working for an alcohol beverage distributor, (Budweiser) after 32 years. Started as a delivery driver, then was promoted to a Territory Account Sales Manager. My wife retired as an Elementary school teacher after 39 years.
20 years with DuPont & 10 more years in the same job, but new owners.
I retired from GM after 30 years and two divisions ElectroMotive (Locomotives) and Delphi Steering, and now get $1399 a month for 30 years of my life. Doesn’t sound like much when I say it like that but I don’t pay for my my benefits either, so I’m happy. I enjoyed my work as a skilled tradesman.
44 years with AT&T. A very different company when they retired me than it was when I started, but always AT&T. Many different roles over the years. Primarily Sales and Service working with a large business customer.
Spent 27 years in the US Navy as a Special Intelligence Officer. Traveled in 5 oceans, 2 seas, visited 3 continents, and had duty on 16 different ships. It was exciting and eventful. The people and places we visited created memories never to be forgotten!
Same plant in Redford, MI for 33.4 years but 3 different owners. 21 years under GM, 11 years under Roger Penske and 1.4 years under Daimler-Chrysler, all under the name Detroit Diesel.
From 39 to 66 at the EAA Air Museum as Collections Manager & Curator of Collections. Before that many different jobs with the maximum being 5 yrs. and that only once.
Retired this past August after 43 years with Delta Air Lines as a customer service agent. Did numerous functions over the years, and traveled to many places.
1983 to 2018 with Jordahl & Sliter as a CPA.
Just past year 15 in the same job. Over 25 years in the same career field.
Registered Nurse 21 years
Electronics Engineer, Defense Industry
Professional Engineer for a Utility
I qualify my response with the fact that I made a 24 year career in the Air Force.
40 years teaching at the same high school
Spent 30 yrs working at IBM in various engineering and management positions. Retired from IBM and helped start a contract manufacturing company. Retired from there after 8 yrs.
I said yes. BUT – I worked the same job (never even changed desks unless they moved the whole department) but worked for 3 different companies. Our contract kept being sold.
Retired after 25 years at Alberta Newsprint Company, a pulp and paper mill. I worked in production as a power engineer in the pulp mill department. 12 hour shifts where we switched from days to nights every tour.
31 years a shop teacher for San Diego Unified.
Retired in 2018 after 35 years of owning and working as an auto mechanic for 35 years in the same location.
My husband & I both worked for the National Park Service, with our last park being Rocky Mountain NP for over (our last) 20 years before retiring. Also both worked Sequoia NP. He worked Death Valley when it was still a monument & we both worked in the Redwoods at one of the state parks in what is now “Redwood National & State Parks”. That was where we met, back in 1981.
I’m a teacher and have worked for the same district at the same school site for 20 years– but I have changed grade levels a few times.
I worked for the same company for 45 years. 5 years in the factory, 25 years as a machinist, 5 years as a supervisor, and 10 as a test engineer.
40 in research and development.
I was a school band director for 12 years, then I worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. I also serve 22 years in the active duty and reserve components of the Armed Forces.
I am in my 28th year as a RN working in our local community hospital. I have always enjoyed hospital nursing and have worked in various departments during my career.
Retired in 2005 after owning my own business (Van and Pickup conversions) for 28 years.
I worked for the same company for 37 years full-time before getting an early retirement package, then a year later went back as a part time contractor for about 4 years more.
Yes, I certainly did. My background was entirely in academics (colleges) and I also had an advance degree (PhD), so looking for a “real” job was difficult. I was perceived (rightly) as under-experienced and over-educated. After 7 months I finally was hired and was able to stay and advance for almost 23 years. I would have stayed longer, but I qualified to retire then and my wife was keen that I have more availability to fit her schedule. So I retired when I did.
Yes, I did. I worked for the same construction company for 40 1/2 years, as a Carpenter for 4 years, superintendent for 5 years, Project manager and Estimator for 7 years, Vice president for 10 years and President for 14 1/2 years before retiring when we closed the company.
Yes to the question. I just retired on December 30, 2020 as a Realtor which means I was 51 years, 6 months and 26 days as a Realtor. I miss read the question, thinking career so answer is a bit out but have worked with one office for more than 20 years. Sorry about that.
I retired two years ago after spending 35 years working for the USPS. It was nice to retire at the age of 57. My wife and I worked at Gros Ventre campground in Grand Teton National Park this past summer, much nicer working conditions.
The employer was myself.
I owned my own auto repair shop for 20 years, sold it to my son and worked for him on and off for another 2 years, then moved away.
I checked yes if you consider military service and over 20 of state service. But watching the younger generation there is no loyalty to company. They seem to short term and move on. It’s a whole new world.
Worked 33 years in the cryogenic gas field in every physical capacity. From cylinder loader to tank installation & service. Then 3 more as a contractor.
There is little in the field I don’t know or haven’t done
Twenty years in the Air Force then 23 years with GTE/GD.
Worked 30 years at Toyota Motor Mfg of KY in Georgetown, Ky. Would still be working but had to retire when my husband became seriously ill.
20 years for Hewlett-Packard as a maintenance technician in a wafer fab clean room.
Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman
I checked no. Unless you consider being self employed, which I was for 30+ years.
28 years firefighter-EMT
Yes! The U.S. Navy, and following retirement from there, my own business.
35 years State Trooper …. proud of my career, but VERY happy I’m retired. Would not do it in todays political climate.
Yes, GTE\Verizon, 4 years as a lineman and 30 as a Engineer.
I was self employed in the motorcycle- atv business.
Retired Fire Fighter. 24 years
I taught secondary science for 40 years. The last 28 years I taught science at the same high school. I loved the kids – I just couldn’t work 60 hours per week anymore so I retired 2 years ago.
Yesterday (1/3/21) was 47 years at same job and employer, draftsman at architect firm, I may go 50 years
Same company for 46 years. Many positions over the years, worked in IT the last 15.
Did 45 years in car dealership service forced to retire they decided i was too old and slow
I spent 10 years at the first dealership and the next 35 at another multichain dealer ( 45 total) but I retired on my terms.
35-years in public safety communications, the last nearly 28-years at the largest multi-agency consolidated 9-1-1 center in Illinois.
25 years with Pacific Bell/SBC/AT&T in sales and instruction.
Yes, I’ve got over 30 as a firefighter (26 as a Captain). I will be retiring in June.
Never made it to 20 yrs. just over 19 at two different tech companies before being laid off for two 20 year olds. Told the wife she missed her chance to trade me in.
Wife worked for 31 years, 1 month, 1 week and 1 day for Fred Meyer [Kroger] in Beaverton OR. Retired in 2003 and enjoying retirement and pension.
Both my husband and and I have worked for our employer, the United Sates Army, for over 20 years each. Of course, that included several jobs and locations. We met while we were both active duty at Fitzsimons Army Med Center in Denver (when it existed). We served and traveled together to Germany and El Paso< TX after that. We each had a few duty stations on our own prior to our marriage.
Poll is again missing a category: Self-employment. Would have been interesting.
Over 33 years in sales for Frito-Lay
I worked for AT&T for 38 years
32 years@ UPS, 1st 3 sorting bundles, next 5 delivering, last 24 pulling trailers, been retired for 20years. And still a young 70, lol
Worked for 21 years as a railroad conductor, left as soon as possible after qualifying for my pension.
I worked for a land surveying company for 47 years and 4 months. Started as a draftsman, got my professional surveying license and moved up to general manager for 3 offices, one in Louisiana, one inTexas and one in Pennsylvania.
Was just shy of 29 years when I retired from the Canadian military. Would recommend a military career to most people as it has given me a pension that allows me to enjoy my retirement.
41 years at a university after Vietnam War . Last 30 years there as Facilities Director. Retired for the last 10 years. WOW! this question made my life flash before my eyes. All this and I think I’m still 35. Wish my body still felt that way.
34 years as an RN at local hospital, med/surgery, telemetry, ICU, out patient/ambulatory care, then last 12 as an OR circulating nurse. Loved it all, retired in September.
hmmm, in the same job, same building, for more than 20 years in two different situation but the company names and owners kept changing due to acquisitions and divestiture so i answered no.
20+ years USAF, 20 years teaching, retired from both. Plus got bored so I spent another 8 years working.
42 years with the “telephone company”. Sadly, not many jobs like that available, anymore.
33 years with IBM in various positions (programming, training, course development, management) — retired in 2014 and started fulltime RVing.
26 years as a Printer
Over 25 years in my Video Production company, also!
30 years as a project manager, retiring in a few months. First 20 years spent pulling 35’ to 53’ trailers. Looking forward now to pulling one around for my wife and 2 dogs, hopefully for the next 20 years.
44 years as a travel agent, 12 years with Professional Travel which was purchased by USTravel, which was purchased by Corporate Travel Management. Worked in Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay. Loved my career ❤ and helping all those ppl, and making lifelong friends from all over the USA.
34 yrs was a respiratory therapist in a hospital, really loved it. And I am SO glad I am retired!!
Worked for K-Mart, auto bookkeeper, office manager, morning manager and district coordinator. Traveled more than I wanted the last ten years but enjoyed the challenge. Glad I’am retired.
Forgot to put I worked for 41 years for K-mart.
Nope, my record is 12 years. I worked in Aerospace for 15 years and learned very quickly to look at the industry, rather than one company for a career. Then I left Aerospace and went into the entertainment industry. Not as an entertainer, but continuing my career in IT. That’s where I spent the last 12 yrs before retirement.
Worked 30.5 years for Western Electric, plant closed and I retired. Worked for 18 years for local county government in IT. Retired again. Miss all the people, but not the politics.
Hewlett Packard for 22 Years in instrument sales in AZ
30 years and some months with the Federal Aviation Admin starting in air traffic and working numerous jobs seeking advancement. Major lesson learned – don’t ever chase a job for money. Best career move – RETIREMENT!
Yes, my own company. Great CEO!
I’m a fireman 21 years in the same department.
22 years for a County Government in Colorado… Just retired Dec 30….
I’m an Assistant Chief of Investigations, and have been with the same employer for 21 years.
34 years as meteorological inspector ensuring quality control on weather reporting equipment for the government of Canada.
I worked for an association of international educators who help students travel to foreign countries (including to the USA for many).
25 years at a medical diagnostic instrument mfr and another 7 with GE after it bought them out. A true Risen From The Ranks story. Started as a temp worker in assembly, took advantage of free tuition at local college for 5 years
Experienced nearly every department. Ended up earning 7 times my initial salary. Retired at 60. No regrets whatsoever.
My career of 32 years was being a high school biology and physics teacher. My first teaching job was 2 years and I submitted my resignation. My 2nd teaching job lasted 30 years, 13 years as Dept Chair. I truly enjoyed the humor of working with the kids. Too many administrators drove me nuts.
The results of the survey indicate that the vast majority of responders are not “the average person according to the BLS”. And definitely few, if any, are millennials.
And I worked for one employer for 32 years but it was just prep work for a career in retirement.
25 years public transit.
I worked in the grocery business for 35 yrs. Then I always wanted to drive a truck so I got a job driving a beer truck. Best job ever. I enjoyed working out doors & being my own boss for the most part
26 years, USAF. Radar maintenance, then radio maintenance, then maintenance of Security Command “stuff”. Then managing a large (1.5 million $/month) AF Commissary.