Fewer North American tech workers plan to switch roles as job satisfaction improves   

  • Workers planning to switch roles in next 12 months decline by double digits since 2024 

  • Job satisfaction rates rebound from alarming lows  

  • Higher pay is the biggest motivator for wanting to switch jobs   

After enjoying a hospitable labor market during the pandemic, only to see it contract in the ensuing white-collar recession, North American tech workers have adjusted their employment expectations and seem happier about it. In fact, significantly fewer people plan to look for new jobs in the next 6 and 12 months, according to the North America edition of Lorien’s 2025 “What Tech Candidates Want” report. This shift in sentiments will surely be good news to employers focused on retention and internal mobility.  

Candidates appear to have accepted that demand for tech talent has cooled and that employers once again hold more power in the job market. As a result, professionals are adapting to fewer opportunities, adjusting to the return-to-office trend, and managing expectations around slowing wage growth. These sentiments were captured in the first quarter of the year through a survey of more than 700 North American workers. 

Our data shows job satisfaction appears to have vastly improved. Last year, just 18% of surveyed candidates said they were satisfied with their current position. This year, when candidates were asked to rate their satisfaction level on a scale of 100, the median response was 49, indicating a marked improvement. 

“Tech talent’s markedly different outlook should be encouraging to employers, who had broadly struggled with talent scarcity a few years ago This is an opportunity for companies to strategize on engaging with their workers, accelerating learning and development, and redeploying people into roles more aligned with their growth and ambition,” said Ryan McMahon, Lorien North America President. 

Compensation Is Key Motivator, Remote Work Remains Popular 

Pay is the dominant motivator behind sentiments for switching jobs, with 21% citing this as their primary reason. A fractionally smaller percentage say they are switching due to the end of their contract, followed by 10% who want to learn new technology skills. 

While more tech companies are mandating a return to the office, hybrid and fully remote remain the preferred arrangements. Only a minority (29%) of professionals work on-site full-time. Nearly half (43%) of tech workers are fully remote, followed by 27% who spend 1-4 days in the office. 

Compared with last year’s findings, there has been only a small increase in the percentage of people on-site, indicating that return-to-office mandates have had a minimal impact. 

“While hybrid schedules remain the most popular, employers should be strategic in their return-to-office approach. We found that among the youngest candidates—those 25 and under—there is a strong desire for in-office work,” said McMahon. “This generation values in-person learning, face-to-face collaboration, and social connection. To attract and retain top talent, companies should offer flexible work options that balance productivity with employee preferences. Failing to do so could mean losing critical talent.”   

Low Salary and Negative Culture Deter Applicants 

To create the most attractive employee value proposition, organizations must prioritize key benefits. Lorien’s research found that: 

  • A low salary is the biggest deterrent keeping candidates from taking a job; for women, however, a negative company culture is the top reason. 

  • A cumbersome hiring process also deters candidates. Nearly half (48%) expect the hiring process to be completed in under two weeks, and some applicants drop out if it takes more time.  

  • Among those 26-35, a poor work-life balance is their No. 1 obstacle.  

AI Adoption: A Growing Influence in the Workplace 

Lorien’s 2025 “What Tech Candidates Want” report also highlights the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence among tech professionals. 

  • Nearly half (48%) of tech workers leverage AI in their work weekly. 

  • Tech professionals aged 26-35 use AI most frequently. 

  • Younger generations (35 and under) are the most optimistic about AI in the workplace, with around two-thirds believing it has a positive impact on their job. 

  • Despite this enthusiasm, those under 26 are least likely to use AI, with nearly two in five reporting they never leverage it in their role. 

To learn more about tech worker sentiments, including their views and preferences on the recruitment cycle, download the “What Tech Candidates Want” report available on Lorien’s website.       

About Lorien  

We are Lorien, a technology, transformation, and digital talent company powered by Impellam Group, a connected group providing global workforce and specialist recruitment solutions. We combine tech expertise with the scope, depth, and breadth of large-scale talent organizations. Driven by both clients and candidates, covering the US and Europe, we work with all sectors, sizes, and tech needs—from start-ups to established tech companies and those who use tech to propel them further. Our unique position in the market means we have the insight to create tailored solutions, keeping our clients ahead of the curve and giving them complete agility. From one-off placements to scalable enterprise solutions, executive search to next-generation tech skills, and time-sensitive projects to ongoing digital journeys—we flex to fit the requirement.  

Press contact: 

Tracy Monsour 
SVP, Marketing 
Tracy.Monsour@impellam.com