A record 8.9 million Americans are now working more than one job, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the highest number ever recorded since the agency began tracking it in 1994.
This rise in “overemployment” is happening across industries and education levels. While many assume it’s mostly low-income workers, nearly half of those holding multiple jobs today have a college degree. And they’re not all doing it to chase big dreams. For many, it’s about survival.
Paycheck to Paycheck in a Rich Country
“Going hungry in America. Stress every day to pay the rent. That’s what it’s about,” Sen. Bernie Sanders told a crowd in Las Vegas over the weekend. “In the richest country in the world, working-class people should not have to die unnaturally young.”
Sanders warned that living paycheck to paycheck is more than just bad economics—it’s a health issue. “All of that stress has an impact on your body and your mind,” he said.
Why People Are Working More
The reasons behind this surge in multiple jobholders come down to a mix of economic pressure and opportunity:
- Wages haven’t kept up with the cost of essentials like food, rent and energy.
- College degrees are more common, but they don’t guarantee financial stability.
- Employers are cutting back on hours, forcing workers to find other income sources.
- Gig platforms like Uber and Fiverr make it easier to find flexible side jobs.
Even though many of these jobs are remote and flexible, the reality is still exhausting.
Not Everyone Is Thriving
Phil, a software engineer from Texas, started secretly working two full-time remote jobs in 2021. It worked—on paper. He’s on track to make nearly $350,000 this year.
“Overemployment definitely helps as far as financial security is concerned,” he told Business Insider. “But that comes with a cost.”
Despite only working about 50 hours a week, Phil said the lifestyle has hurt his health and strained his personal relationships. He admitted to doing the “bare minimum” at both jobs just to stay afloat.
“You have to be smart enough to do more in less time,” he said, explaining how he avoids unnecessary meetings and sometimes double-books them across both roles.
Now, he’s thinking about giving up his second job.
Not a Long-Term Fix
Data from the Federal Reserve and Census Bureau show that while multiple jobholders put in more hours (around 2,111 per year), they earn only slightly more than single-job workers—about $900 more, on average.
So is it worth it?
Economists at the St. Louis Fed point out that this trend can actually make it harder for unemployed people to find full-time jobs. When people like Phil work two jobs, they fill roles that might otherwise go to someone else.
And while the idea of making six figures by gaming the remote work system is appealing to some, it’s not sustainable for most.
As Phil put it: “Look at your life as a whole and not just from a work-money point of view.”
Whether it’s burnout, long hours, or never feeling truly off the clock, more Americans are learning that chasing financial security through overemployment — comes with a cost.