Juggling 2-3 Jobs: Is This The American Dream or Nightmare?
In the U.S., more people are juggling multiple jobs, often due to financial pressures like inflation and stagnant wages. But who is most impacted, and why? How many jobs are you juggling? And why?
How Many People Hold Multiple Jobs?
In October 2023, approximately 5.2% of the U.S. workforce held multiple jobs, marking the highest share since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This translates to nearly 8.4 million Americans juggling two or more positions. The breakdown of these multiple job holders reveals diverse employment patterns:
- 1.1 million reported jobs with varying hours
- 5 million held one full-time and one part-time job
- 2 million worked two part-time jobs
- Fewer than 400,000 managed two full-time positions
More Women Than men Are Working Two Jobs
Women are more likely to hold multiple jobs compared to men. In October 2023, about 5.9% of women worked multiple jobs, compared to 4.7% of men.
This trend has been consistent over the past two decades, with data from the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics (LEHD) showing an increase in the multiple jobholding rate from 6.8% in 1996 to 7.8% in 2018.
The trend is particularly pronounced among low-wage earners, who often struggle to make ends meet with a single income source. Remote work has also played a significant role, with employees in “remotable” occupations more likely to take on multiple jobs due to increased flexibility and productivity.
What Are The Main Reasons For Holding Down Multiple Jobs?
The primary reasons for holding multiple jobs include combating high inflation, which has outpaced wage growth, and preparing for potential economic downturns or layoffs.
Inflation
Inflation has been a significant driver for the increase in multiple job holders. Prices for necessities have risen, making it difficult for many to make ends meet with a single job.
Rising inflation has significantly outpaced wage growth, making it difficult for many to cover basic living expenses with a single job. Inflation rates have been particularly high in recent years, with prices increasing by 4.7% in 2021, 8% in 2022, and 3.5% in 2023.
Job Security
Some individuals take on extra work to brace for potential layoffs, which tend to peak at the start of a new year. This is a precautionary measure to ensure financial stability in uncertain job markets.
Low Wages
Many workers, especially those in low-wage jobs, find that their primary employment does not provide sufficient income. This is particularly true for those earning minimum wage or slightly above, who struggle to afford basic necessities.
Seasonal Employment
There is a seasonal aspect to multiple jobholding, with some individuals taking on additional work during the holidays to cover extra expenses or to save for future needs.
Medical and Personal Expenses
High medical bills and other unexpected expenses often necessitate additional income. Personal stories reveal that some individuals work multiple jobs to pay off medical debts or to afford necessary treatments.
Remote Work
The rise of remote work has facilitated the ability to hold multiple jobs. Remote workers, benefiting from flexible schedules and the elimination of commute times, are more likely to take on additional employment.
Increased Productivity
The flexibility of remote work can lead to increased productivity, enabling workers to handle multiple roles without the physical constraints of traditional office jobs.
Personal Narratives
Many individuals, such as Cashe Lewis from Denver and Laura Richwine from Omaha, have shared their struggles in a Guardian article of working multiple jobs to cover rising living costs and medical expenses, highlighting the broader economic challenges faced by low-wage earners.
Lewis is a barista and convenience store worker from Denver, Colorado, who also donates plasma to cover living expenses due to high rent and medical costs.
Richwine, an administrative worker from Omaha, Nebraska, has routinely held multiple jobs to manage hefty medical bills and low wages.
The Takeaway
The main reasons Americans are taking on multiple jobs include economic pressures like inflation and high living costs, the need for income stability, the flexibility offered by remote work, and personal financial challenges. These factors collectively drive the increasing trend of multiple jobholding in the United States. Do you hold down more than one job?
Acing the Job Interview: Strategies from HR Experts
In today’s competitive job market, securing a position can often feel like navigating a maze. Hiring managers have seen firsthand the common pitfalls that candidates encounter during the interview process. Based on their extensive experience, we’ve collected invaluable insights and strategies to enhance your chances of landing your dream job.
READ: Acing the Job Interview: Strategies from HR Experts
Looking For A Better Paying Job? Good News
The Biden administration is cracking down on “noncompete clauses,” which employers use to bar their workers from finding better opportunities.
Changing jobs can be the best way to get a raise. But employers often force workers to sign “noncompete clauses,” making it harder for them to move to better jobs — and artificially depressing wages.
That will change later this year.
READ: Looking For A Better Paying Job? Good News
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