Media
What Motivates Developers to Stay in (or Leave) a Job?
The tech industry is constantly changing and so are the expectations of the people who power it. In a world of hybrid setups, digital transformation, and global opportunities, one question remains critical for companies that want to attract and retain the best talent: What truly motivates developers to stay in their roles, and what drives them to leave?
At CyberPro Consulting, we set out to explore this question. We created a short anonymous survey and ran a LinkedIn poll to uncover what really matters to tech professionals. While the response pool was limited, the insights we received were consistent, honest, and deeply valuable and they shed light on key themes shaping retention in tech today.
Top Reasons Developers Stay in a Role
Both our survey participants and poll voters highlighted salary and benefits as the leading reason for staying in a tech role. This aligns with broader industry trends, while flexibility and culture matter, competitive compensation is still the baseline for job satisfaction.
Other top factors that kept developers in their current roles included:
- Work-life balance
- Flexible work arrangements (hybrid/remote)
- Interesting, meaningful work
- Supportive leadership and company culture
As one respondent put it:
“Salary should always be based on the role and value brought by the employee. Don’t wait for them to leave before competing on salary.”
Why Developers Consider Leaving
When asked what would make them walk away from a job, the answers were telling. Beyond pay, toxic work culture and poor management ranked high. This is a reminder that even a high-paying role can lose its appeal if the environment is unsupportive or misaligned with values.
The most commonly cited reasons for wanting to leave included:
- Low salary or a better offer elsewhere
- Lack of flexibility (especially remote work)
- Toxic work culture or micromanagement
- Limited career growth and learning opportunities
- Burnout and unsustainable workloads
One participant shared:
“Bad leaders that suppressed growth opportunities”
– a simple but powerful reason that resonates with many in the industry.
What Developers Want in Their Next Role
Looking ahead, developers are prioritizing roles that offer more than just a paycheck. When considering a new job, these were the most important factors (ranked in order of preference):
- Salary & benefits
- Career growth and learning
- Flexibility (remote/hybrid)
- Work-life balance
- Positive work culture and leadership
Interestingly, while salary still leads, it’s clear that long-term satisfaction depends on a broader ecosystem of trust, growth, and flexibility.
One Thing Employers Can Do Better
When asked what would make them stay longer at their current job, the answers weren’t about beanbags or free pizza, they were about being valued, being trusted, and being led well.
Suggestions included:
- More career development opportunities
- Stronger leadership (not micromanagement)
- Flexibility becoming the norm, not the exception
- Recognition of the value they bring
Retention is Holistic
The findings from study reinforce what many companies are starting to understand: retention isn’t about just one thing. It’s about getting the full picture right, competitive salary, a healthy work culture, room to grow, and the flexibility to live well outside of work too.
At CyberPro Consulting, we’re committed to listening, learning, and leading in ways that help tech professionals thrive. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years, your voice matters and we’re always working to build a better, more people-first workplace.
Services
Do you have any questions or queries?
We can help you grow your business
Driven by a commitment to client satisfaction, collaboration, and cutting-edge solutions.
Years Experience
Delivering excellence through decades of expertise, innovation, and trusted solutions.