72% of US workers say they rely on a second income, while 26% say they need the side job just to cover the bills

For galore Americans, it’s becoming harder and harder to marque ends meet.

From groceries to rent payments, galore of life’s basal surviving expenses are much costly than they were conscionable a fewer years ago, and galore radical don’t consciousness similar their paychecks agelong arsenic acold arsenic they utilized to.

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In bid to get by, Americans are progressively turning to secondary sources of income. According to a MyPerfectResume survey of 1,000 U.S. workers, astir three-quarters (72%) of respondents with a regular occupation present beryllium connected astatine slightest 1 secondary root of income, which is up 71% from 2025 (1).

Where broadside hustles were erstwhile seen arsenic a mode to bring successful a spot of other currency for savings oregon discretionary spending, they’re present considered a lifeline for the 26% of respondents who accidental they request a secondary income conscionable to screen basal surviving expenses.

As MyPerfectResume reports, astir 4 successful 10 respondents (38%) accidental “inflation has importantly accrued their request for further income,” portion 72% accidental the “rising costs person made broadside enactment much indispensable overall.”

Over the past 5 years, the outgo of surviving has accrued importantly portion wages simply haven’t kept up. This comes during a clip of economical uncertainty that’s coupled with the menace of artificial intelligence, which could upend the careers of galore Americans successful the future.

Respondents to the survey accidental their 2nd income is derived from freelance oregon gig enactment (14%), investments (14%), broadside businesses they ain (9%), passive income specified arsenic rent oregon royalties (9%), oregon a 2nd occupation with different leader (4%).

While much than fractional (52%) accidental having further income “makes them consciousness much secure” and 68% accidental their broadside enactment “has ne'er interfered with ambition oregon availability astatine their main job,” moving a broadside gig tin instrumentality its toll.

While a broadside hustle tin boost your income, it tin besides permission you with small to nary downtime, and that could perchance bash harm to your relationships. You could besides extremity up neglecting your superior occupation due to the fact that you find your broadside hustle to beryllium much absorbing (or you’re conscionable plain tired).

If your superior occupation pays well, you whitethorn beryllium amended disconnected putting successful other hours determination — successful hopes of getting a promotion oregon a rise — arsenic opposed to devoting vigor to a lower-paying broadside hustle.