Six out of 10 workers with a college diploma quit their first job within four years, according to a study released Thursday.

The report by state-run Korea Employment Information Service analyzed the employment status of about 440,000 people who graduated from universities or two-year colleges in 2007, through a sample survey of some 18,000.

Some 40.5 percent of them were still at their first job in 2010, three years after graduation, while 46.3 percent had found a new job. Some 13.2 percent were without a job at the time of the survey.

“Job switching took place mostly within the first two years,” KEIS said in the report.

Of those who left their first job, 75 percent quit within the first two years; 47 percent quit in the first year, while another 28 percent left in their second year.

The ratio of workers staying with their first job was higher among men at 45.7 percent, compared to women at 35.1 percent.

The report said the workers cited a mismatch between academic interests and work, low pay and working conditions as main reasons for moving.

The average monthly pay rose by 293,000 won to 2,360,000 won from 2,006,000 won for those keeping the same job. Those who changed jobs reported a steeper rise of 476,000 won from 1,460,000 won to 1,930,000 won.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)