More Americans are working two jobs. Here's what's driving polyworking
More Americans are working two jobs. Here's what's driving polyworking
Alyshia Hull, Special to USA TODAYTue, October 20, 2026 at 7:01 PM UTC
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More work means more income — but at what cost? Amid increasing economic uncertainty, some workers are looking beyond their primary job to make ends meet. The solution for millions? Clocking into a second role.
Whether they're trying to keep up with rising expenses, develop new skills or protect themselves against layoffs, millions of workers are taking on second jobs and side hustles.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 5.5% of employed Americans — about 9 million people — hold multiple jobs. The practice, sometimes called polyworking, can provide additional income and career flexibility, but it also raises questions about burnout, job security and workplace expectations.
And while much of the conversation focuses on how employees can successfully balance multiple roles, polyworking also raises an important question for employers: What are workers looking for that they aren't getting from their primary jobs?
From compensation and career development to flexibility and organizational trust, the factors driving employees toward additional work also help define what makes a great workplace. Here's what employees and employers should know about the growing trend.
What does it mean to be a polyworker?
Holding down multiple income streams has evolved into a deliberate strategy known as polyworking: holding two or more jobs simultaneously to boost income, build skills or safeguard a career.
While it often overlaps with having a side hustle or discreetly holding two full-time remote roles (known as overemployment), polyworking takes many forms.
Some workers pair a full-time job with part-time or freelance work, while others balance two part-time roles or juggle multiple independent contracts or full-time positions to build a diversified portfolio.
Why overemployment is becoming more common
For some, the motivation to work more than one job may be straightforward: In this economy, they need more money to create a financial cushion. This could include paying for rising living costs, paying off debt or saving for a financial goal.
Someone who pursues freelance work because of concerns about layoffs may be seeking greater financial security or control over their career. Brenda Quach, Head of Marketing and one of the HR Directors at HR Transformed, says she sees this same trend among the small and midsize businesses she works with.
“It is very difficult to live off of one salary, and being able to work two jobs, or have a 'side-hustle' really helps with having extra cash flow,” Quach says.
What polyworking reveals about workplace culture
The rise of polyworking isn't just a reflection of workers' financial circumstances. It can also reveal what employees value in a workplace — and what they may feel is missing from their primary jobs.
For employers, understanding those motivations can offer insight into employee satisfaction and retention.
A worker who takes a second job to develop new skills, for example, may be looking for professional growth opportunities that aren't available in their current position.
“You're missing something from your current job, oftentimes, that's an expertise you may be missing that you want to acquire, and so you start to develop that through a part-time job, or side hustle,” says Kelly Monahan, co-founder of Beyond the Desk.
But for others, the motivation is personal. Monahan points out that some workers — especially older generations — take on additional roles because they’re “wanting to leave more meaning, or intrinsic reasons and picking that up.”
Beyond these traditional drivers, anxiety surrounding AI and layoffs are also pushing workers toward polyworking. As automation disrupts industries, relying on a single employer can feel less secure than it once did.
"With AI, it's causing a lot of fear in people to have that one-to-one relationship with an organization," Monahan notes. "There's this fear of being displaced."
Workplace culture can also influence whether taking on additional responsibilities is sustainable.
"So much of the work stress I have found in my research is not so much hours worked, it's how you're being treated during those hours," says Monahan.
That distinction matters for employees evaluating prospective employers, too. Competitive compensation is important, but so are supportive management, professional development, flexibility and a workplace where employees feel respected.
While even employees at highly rated workplaces may choose to pursue additional income, finding an employer that supports their financial, professional and personal goals can make a meaningful difference in their overall job satisfaction.
How to work two jobs successfully
Juggling multiple roles is no easy feat. While the financial and professional rewards can be significant, working two jobs requires careful planning, strict boundaries, and the ability to manage competing demands.
To navigate this successfully, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Do
Establish clear primary priorities
Always be clear on which job comes first when scheduling conflicts arise. During her time balancing corporate research roles with a growing public speaking career, Monahan made it a strict rule that her primary employer always took precedence.
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"Even if I had a speaking engagement that was going to be super lucrative, exactly what I wanted, if I had an event already scheduled at Upwork, I would not go take that because that would have been against the primary responsibility there."
Quach also recommends giving each job your undivided attention while you're working it.
“When you're at one job, solely focus on that one job. It is very easy to try to do both at the same time, but you will fall behind, get confused, and make mistakes. It's genuinely not fair to either one of your employers. It's also not fair to yourself, you will burn out,” Quach says.
Knowing your priorities ahead of time can make it easier to navigate competing demands without compromising your responsibilities to either role.
View second roles as temporary
Recognize that taking on multiple roles is often a temporary trade-off for a specific period of time.
“I also view life in terms of seasons,” Monahan says. Just because you’re working two roles now doesn’t mean you have to do so forever.
The key is to make sure the extra work serves your goals, rather than becoming a permanent source of stress.
Don’t
Ignore the cognitive toll
Underestimating the mental energy required to switch contexts will quickly drain you. As Monahan warns, workers must be realistic about their mental bandwidth.
"You have to be very realistic about your cognitive capacity because no matter what, you're doing a lot of context switching. I think people underestimate cognitively what that actually looks like and feels like," Monahan explains.
Recognizing your limits can help you avoid taking on more than you can realistically manage.
Quach also cautions against underestimating the time and discipline a second income stream requires.
“The biggest mistake is thinking money is just going to grow immediately. A ‘little’ side hustle is never ‘little.’ It takes a lot of time and discipline,” she says.
Sacrifice your health
Pushing through exhaustion or tolerating poor working conditions can backfire.
“I worry less about hours worked and much more if you are being treated poorly, 40 of those 50 hours, that's going to break down your health,” Monahan says.
A sustainable workload depends not only on how much you work, but also on the conditions in which you work.
Is it actually legal to work two jobs?
Whether you can legally hold two jobs depends on your circumstances, including your employment agreements, workplace policies and any potential conflicts of interest.
According to Quach, “some companies allow it, and some don't. In most cases, if your second job does not interfere or have competing clients or services, then you should be OK to take on another job at the mall on the weekend or at a coffee shop after work.”
Before accepting a second role, review your employment agreement and employee handbook for restrictions on outside employment, exclusivity, conflicts of interest and confidentiality. If you're unsure how a provision applies to your situation, consult an employment attorney.
Bottom line: Is polyworking right for you?
Working multiple jobs can help you increase your income, build professional skills and create a financial safety net. But those benefits come with trade-offs, including less personal time, competing responsibilities and a greater risk of burnout.
Before accepting another position, consider whether the additional income or experience justifies the demands on your time. It's also worth evaluating whether your primary employer offers opportunities for advancement, competitive compensation and the flexibility you need.
Ultimately, finding the right balance isn't just about how many jobs you hold. It's also about the quality of those jobs and whether your workplace supports your long-term goals.
What is USA TODAY Top Workplaces?
Each year, USA TODAY Top Workplaces, a collaboration between Energage and USA TODAY, ranks organizations across the U.S. that excel at creating a positive work environment for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winners.
In 2026, over 1,600 companies earned recognition as top workplaces. Check out our overall U.S. rankings. You can also gain insights into more workplace trends and advice by checking out the links below.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: More Americans are working two jobs. Here's what's driving polyworking
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