GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – A new national survey from MyPerfectResume, a leading resume-building platform, finds that side hustles and second jobs are now a permanent feature of American working life.
The 2026 State of Secondary Income Report finds that nearly 3 in 4 workers (72%) rely on at least one secondary income source, up from 71% last year. What was once a stopgap during high inflation has become a long-term necessity.
Key Findings from the survey include:
- 72% of U.S. workers now rely on at least one source of secondary income, up from 71% last year.
- 71% believe side income will become more common among U.S. workers next year.
- 38% say inflation has significantly increased their need for additional income, and 72% say rising costs have made side work more necessary overall.
- 53% expect to maintain their same level of secondary income in 2026.
- 26% think secondary income could eventually replace traditional raises, and half say only a major raise would convince them to quit side work.
“What began as a short-term response to rising prices has evolved into a lifestyle,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume. “Workers aren’t just hustling to make ends meet; they’re hedging against uncertainty. Half say only a substantial raise could convince them to stop, and 1 in 4 wouldn’t quit at all. Side income has become a permanent part of how Americans create financial security.”
Financial Pressures Keep Workers Hustling
The data reveals a clear trend: Supplemental income is no longer a financial experiment; it’s an essential part of survival for many U.S. workers.
People are supplementing pay through a mix of:
- Freelance or gig work (14%).
- Side businesses they own (9%).
- Investments like stocks or crypto (14%).
- Passive income, such as rentals or royalties (9%).
- A second job for another employer (4%).
That’s a notable shift from last year’s report, which found only 5% relying solely on their main job, meaning more Americans now depend on side work to make ends meet.
Cost of Living Is the Top Culprit
When asked what prompted their increased reliance on extra income, workers overwhelmingly cited rising prices and inflation (29%), followed by saving or paying down debt (11%) and pursuing financial stability (10%).
Seventy-two percent say inflation has made side work more necessary (up from 64% last year), while only 28% report no impact.
Motivations remain grounded in necessity rather than luxury:
- 26% cite covering basic living expenses.
- 18% are paying off debt or loans.
- 17% are building an emergency fund.
- 16% are saving for a major life goal.
- 15% say their goal is to afford nonessential items such as travel or hobbies.
Dual Workloads Impact
Overwork comes at a cost.
- 21% report their health has declined due to overwork (same as last year).
- 15% say they’ve experienced increased burnout.
- 20% have less time for family or hobbies.
However, 28% now say their workload feels very sustainable, suggesting many have adapted to the “two-job lifestyle.”
A New Kind of Job Security
While most Americans say side income hasn’t made them invincible at work, it provides peace of mind:
- 52% say having a second income makes them feel somewhat or definitely more secure.
- 68% say their side work has never interfered with ambition or availability at their main job.
Looking ahead, 54% expect to maintain the same level of side work in 2026, while 32% plan to increase it. Only 14% foresee scaling back.
The Future of Secondary Income
Most workers believe the side hustle economy is here to stay:
- 71% predict secondary income will become more common in 2026.
- 26% think side income could eventually replace traditional raises from employers.
That outlook reflects a workforce adjusting to stagnant wage growth and persistent financial insecurity, even as inflation cools. The message is clear: For many, job stability alone no longer feels secure enough.
The full report can be viewed HERE.
Pictured at top: An Uber driver is seen in a car with a passenger. (Adobe Stock)