According to public data, people don’t work the same food service job for very long. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks how long people spend at a given job in several industries. They found that among certain fields, employees tended to have been at their current job for less time than in others.

For example, people working in laundry and arts and entertainment had some of the shortest time on a single job of most industries. Such job hopping bear a toll on the companies in these industries. One survey found 87 percent of companies said it cost $15,000 to $25,000 to replace a departed employee.

» RELATED: These are the top 10 job picks for high school seniors

Workers in these industries may change positions because of a lack of advancement and poor working conditions. They're not alone, either. These days the average American has 7.2 jobs by 28.

View a graph of the 10 industries with the shortest time in one job

Of course, these numbers vary by age as well. Older workers, unsurprisingly, are more likely to have been in their current job for longer.

Click here to read the full report.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Hire Heroes USA gives free one-on-one career coaching to veterans and service members leaving the military. (Courtesy of Hire Heroes USA)

Credit: spec

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com