When evaluating a severance package, you cannot compare apples to oranges. A fair package in retail looks drastically different from a standard package in enterprise software. By benchmarking your offer strictly against your specific sector, you gain a realistic view of your negotiating power.
The Software & Technology sector leads the market, averaging 3.8 weeks of severance per year of service, compared to just 1.9 weeks in Retail and Hospitality.
Which Industries Pay Most?
High-margin industries heavily reliant on specialized knowledge workers tend to offer the most lucrative exit packages. Tech and Pharmaceuticals lead, often viewing generous severance as a branding tool to protect future recruitment.
| Industry | Average Weeks Per Year | Healthcare Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Software & Tech | 3.5 - 4 weeks | 3-6 months |
| Finance & Banking | 3 - 3.5 weeks | 3 months |
| Manufacturing | 1.5 - 2 weeks | 1 month |
| Retail / Hospitality | 1 - 1.5 weeks | 0 months |
Average Weeks per Sector?
While the tech industry has historically offered “1 month for every year of service,” recent macroeconomic shifts in 2026 have brought the average down to about 3.8 weeks. Conversely, heavily unionized sectors like Manufacturing have strong, unmoving baselines built into their collective bargaining agreements.
Curious how seniority changes these averages? Read: How Much Severance Pay Should You Get? By Role & Tenure.
How Does Mine Compare?
You can compare your exact offer against your specific industry by using our Audit My Offer tool. It filters the PinkSlip dataset to show you only the packages from professionals in your exact sector.
Return to our central guide for more context: Severance & Redundancy Pay: The Complete Guide.