How many years of experience jobs really ask for
First job · figures recounted Nov 14, 2026 from 89,712 open jobs · how they are made
49,117 of the 89,712 open postings name how many years of experience they want. The median, and the most common request, is 5 years. Even among junior and intern postings, 162 of 534 ask for three years or more.
Years asked, across all open postings
Each column counts the postings that ask for that many years. A range such as “3 to 5 years” counts as its lower figure.
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4,536 |
| 2 | 6,537 |
| 3 | 7,929 |
| 4 | 3,884 |
| 5 | 11,490 |
| 6–7 | 5,754 |
| 8–9 | 4,344 |
| 10+ | 4,643 |
By the level in the title
| Level in the title | Median years asked | Postings that name a number | Ask for 3 years or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intern | 2 | 53 | 13% |
| Junior | 2 | 481 | 32% |
| Senior | 5 | 11,662 | 93% |
| Lead | 8 | 9,554 | 94% |
By field
The median number of years asked, in fields where at least 50 postings name one.
When you have fewer years than asked
The number is a filter the employer chose, not a test. If you can do the duties the posting lists, apply, and put the evidence first: results with numbers from work, projects or study that match those duties. The entry-level list and the “How to become…” pages show where beginners are hired today.
Next: Entry-level jobs · How to become… · What the level in a title means