The diminishing allure of job hopping: The fading new-hire glow

The pay premium for new hires has significantly decreased in recent months, with year-over-year pay growth falling to just 2.9% in September, compared to a 10% jump earlier in the year. Lower quit rates, increasing labor supply, and falling worker demand are contributing factors to the slowing wage growth. Industries such as finance and technology have been hit particularly hard, with pay growth at a standstill or even decreasing. Jobseekers are experiencing lower salaries and fewer negotiation opportunities compared to the "golden age for jobseekers" in 2021 and early 2022. Employers are hesitant to give pay raises to new hires to avoid exacerbating pay equity issues and to retain existing employees. Instead, they are offering low-cost benefits to attract talent.