Over-Education, Job Satisfaction, and Intention to Quit: Evidence from China

In recent decades, job quitting has surged in Chinese society, reflecting notable changes in economic structure and social mindset. Meanwhile, more workers across various industries hold higher educational qualifications than their jobs require, a phenomenon known as over-education. This mismatch between education and job requirements may negatively influence work commitment and career outlook, potentially triggering risks to societal efficiency. Inspired by this scenario, this study investigates job mobility intentions through the lens of job mismatches, focusing on how over-education experience influences employees’ intentions to quit, along with the social–psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship. Using data from the 2018 China Labor Force Dynamics Survey, the analysis applies logistic regression, propensity score matching, and the Karlson–Holm–Breen mediation approach. The results indicate that over-educated employees are more likely to express turnover intentions compared to those whose education matches their job requirements. Job satisfaction significantly mediates the relationship between over-education and turnover intentions, revealing causes such as unfulfilled job expectations and negative work attitudes that lead mismatched employees to consider leaving. Additionally, dissatisfaction regarding promotion opportunities plays a more significant mediating role than dissatisfaction with income, suggesting that long-term career development concerns outweigh short-term financial incentives for many employees. This study offers an updated cross-industry explanation for the social mindset of job quitting compared to the previous individual- or organization-level perspectives. The empirical findings contribute to career mobility theory by demonstrating how individuals engage in compromised strategies for upward mobility in a society with constrained opportunities. The findings also underscore the significance of appropriate job placement and robust promotional systems in fostering positive work attitudes, offering valuable insights into managerial practices.