Income & CareerIntermediate5 min read
When to leave a job for more money
Job-hopping used to be frowned upon. Today, it's often the fastest way to increase your earnings.
Internal raises average 3–5% per year. Taking a new job for more money averages 10–20%. Over a career, someone who changes jobs strategically every 3–4 years often out-earns a loyal employee at the same starting salary by 50% or more. Loyalty is not, economically, its own reward.
When leaving is the right move
- Your role has grown but your salary hasn't been adjusted for 2+ years.
- Market rates for your role have risen and internal processes can't catch up.
- Promotion is blocked by structure (your manager isn't leaving, there are too many peers, the org is flat).
- You've learned everything the current role can teach you.
- Your total comp is below what recruiters routinely pitch you for.
When leaving is the wrong move
Running from conflict you could solve. Chasing a small raise that comes with a worse manager or a worse commute. Leaving during an equity cliff you're two months from clearing. Follow the money, but don't let it override every other variable.
The smart way to job-hop
- Interview when you don't need to. It keeps your skills sharp and your market-rate knowledge current.
- Benchmark annually. Know what your role pays elsewhere, even if you have zero intention of leaving.
- When you do get an offer, negotiate it in full before deciding.
- Try a counter at your current job, but only if you actually want to stay — using counters just for leverage tends to damage long-term trust.
Put this into practice
Worth tracks your accounts, budgets, and goals — so the concepts in this article aren't just theory.
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