Personally, I have nearly doubled my salary every time I've moved. Financially, I would be nowhere near where I am today if I had committed to one company. First job out of school (as a master's graduate), I made $14.50/hr at a major research institution as a researcher. Jumped to $90k a year later at a major healthcare company. Jumped to $175k 3 years later at a consulting firm. A colleague I worked with at the first school I worked for, also with a master's who started just after me is making $43k. I know this sounds like a brag, but it is clear to me that switching companies is far better in terms of earnings - at least in my industry.