The figure rises to 41% in the banking and finance sector and in the construction industry, 40% would ideally like to change jobs.
The CIPD and YouGov surveyed 3,000 employees and found 24% would change sectors and 25% would consider changing their line of work altogether.
Of those who are looking for work in a different sector the survey shows the most popular sectors are public and voluntary. Nearly three out of 10 respondents who want to move (28%) would look for work in community, social and personal services, 20% hope to move into education and 17% would look for health and social work opportunities.
Claire McCartney, talent and resourcing adviser at the CIPD, said: "Concerns over job security and finding new work are prompting people to re-think their career aspirations and ambitions. This will also have a big impact on trends in the labour market.
"It's clear the poor state of the labour market is acting like a dam holding back the normal flow of talent. But once job opportunities increase, dissatisfied employees will vote with their feet and leave, making it important for employers not to take the loyalty of their people for granted."
Lack of other jobs is only thing keeping a third of staff in their current role
Employees are being forced to stay in their current jobs by concerns over job security, but more than a third (34%) would like to move within the next year.
