No raise or promotion: Many workers stuck in career stall, study finds
A study by the Burning Glass Institute and New York University’s School of Professional Studies found nearly 1 in 4 mid-career professionals in the U.S. have experienced a career stall, going five or more years without a promotion or meaningful pay raise, with significant wage penalties and structural industry barriers contributing to the issue. The analysis of 1.3 million career histories revealed stall rates vary widely by industry, from 20.7% in information technology to 30.2% in public administration, with early career momentum, field, and credential quality as key risk factors.
Nearly 24% of mid-career professionals in the U.S. are stuck in a career stall, going five or more years without a promotion or meaningful pay raise, according to a study by the Burning Glass Institute and New York University’s School of Professional Studies. The report highlights a hidden labor market issue not tracked in official unemployment statistics, with stalled workers facing cumulative lost wages—such as over $43,000 for software developers over 15 years compared to peers who advanced. The study analyzed 1.3 million career histories and found mid-career stall rates vary significantly by industry, ranging from 20.7% in information technology to 30.2% in public administration. Researchers attribute these differences to structural factors, including the availability of internal advancement opportunities. Support-oriented roles, such as financial sales representatives (30%) and network and systems engineers (29%), exhibit the highest stall rates, while industries like IT and education offer more robust career ladders when workers possess targeted credentials. Three interconnected factors increase the risk of a career stall: the worker’s field, education and credential quality, and early career momentum. The report notes that lagging wage growth and fewer promotions in the first decade often precede a plateau. Early detection of warning signs and reskilling into adjacent roles could help workers and employers rebuild momentum and prevent long-term stagnation. The analysis underscores that career stalls are not individual failures but systemic issues tied to industry structures. For example, fields like public administration and real estate (28.9%) have fewer advancement opportunities than IT. The study suggests that proactive measures—such as industry-specific certifications—can mitigate risks and improve career trajectories for stalled professionals.
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