Read our full analysis for a more in-depth look at these trends.
Switching 9 to 5s
Job switching has picked up, with Gen Z leading gains and gender gaps narrowing.
September 2026
Key takeaways
- Job-switching pay premiums have risen to their highest level in more than three years, indicating employers may be willing to pay for workers with specific skills, according to Bank of America deposit account data. Gen Z continue to benefit the most from changing jobs, while workers paid by the hour are also making particularly large gains from switching.
- Women's lead in wage gains from job changes has narrowed as men's switching premiums have accelerated faster, returning the gap to roughly 2018 levels. Meanwhile, pay disruption rates have fallen and converged across genders, although men's higher overall pay levels mean broader earnings gaps remain.
- AI adoption is not yet translating into broad-based labor displacement, according to BofA Global Research. Job switching remains resilient, and industries with the highest AI usage do not yet show consistently weaker labor demand. If that changes, younger workers and women look most exposed.
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