A new survey from Resume Now reveals that while many workers aspire to change careers, financial fears and skill gaps are keeping them stuck in jobs they no longer find fulfilling. According to the 2025 Career Gridlock Report, based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. workers, 60% of respondents have stayed in their current roles longer than they wanted due to perceived difficulty of making a career transition. The report sheds light on the financial barriers, skill uncertainties, and the changing perceptions of career pivots.
Key findings from the report are included below.
- Despite two-thirds (66%) believing a career change could improve their happiness, only 13% have successfully made the switch.
- Nearly a fifth (18%) are actively pursuing career changes, while 36% have considered it but taken no action.
- More than half (60%) have stayed in a role longer than they wanted.
- Over a third (35%) fear taking a pay cut, and 34% worry about financial instability.
- More than two-thirds (68%) say career shifts are more acceptable now than five years ago.
- Over half (56%) prefer on-the-job learning over returning to school, and only 16% would pursue a new degree.
Financial instability and salary concerns are the top barriers to career change, with 35% of employees saying they fear starting over at a lower salary, while 34% worry about financial instability during the new transition. Additionally, 32% are uncertain whether a new career would be a good fit, and 20% are worried about gaining the necessary skills, and 14% fear competing with more experienced candidates.
Over half (57%) cite the desire for better pay and benefits as their top motivation for switching careers. About 29% are seeking better work-life balance, 19% are drawn to flexible work opportunities, 17% are motivated by burnout, and 15% are driven by passion for a new industry.
“Career changes can feel daunting, especially when financial concerns and uncertainty come into play,” says Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now. “But today’s job market is shifting—employers are prioritizing skills over degrees, and switching careers doesn’t mean starting from scratch. By leveraging transferable skills and taking a strategic approach to the job search, workers can transition into new roles with confidence.”
More than half (56%) are only willing to invest six months or less in gaining new skills, while nearly a quarter (24%) want to upskill in less than three months. Only 9% are willing to spend more than two years preparing for a career change.
