Multiple Jobholding Rate Returns to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The share of US workers holding two jobs reached 5.5% in July. This figure marks a return to pre-COVID-19 averages, although it remains below the peak levels seen in the mid-1990s.
The share of American workers holding multiple jobs climbed to 5.5% in July. This figure places the rate back within the 5% to 6% range typical before the pandemic. It remains below the 6% to 7% peak recorded in the mid-1990s. The multiple-jobholding rate dropped to 4.1% during the pandemic years. Layoffs across the economy suppressed secondary employment during that period. Income from secondary jobs now constitutes more than a quarter of total earnings for these workers. This trend signals a shift in how households manage financial obligations.
Self-Employed Workers Lead the Shift
The demographic profile of multiple jobholders has changed significantly. Growth is driven by self-employed workers with incorporated businesses. In 2000, 9.35% of local government workers held a second job. By 2025, that rate for local government workers fell to 7.62%. Incorporated self-employed workers now lead the trend. The composition of the workforce reflects broader economic structural changes.
Middle-Income Households Drive the Increase
Families earning between $50,000 and $150,000 annually show the largest rise. In 2021, 4.7% of middle-income workers held multiple jobs. By 2025, that figure increased to 5.6%. Education levels among this group have also risen. In the 1990s, 35% of multiple jobholders had college degrees. In 2024, roughly half of these workers held degrees. This indicates that secondary employment is not limited to lower-wage sectors.
Official Data Misses Gig Economy Work
Federal data undercounts the true extent of secondary work. The Census Bureau counts a job only if it pays a traditional wage. App-based or gig roles often fall outside this definition. A 2018 study of state records suggests the true rate is near 8%. This is approximately 3 percentage points higher than official figures. GN markets/jobs (en-US) notes that these uncounted roles are growing. Persistent inflation drives workers to seek additional income. Hourly earnings growth has lagged behind price increases in recent months. However, economists caution that second jobs are not always signs of financial distress. Many multiple jobholders earn more at their primary roles than single-job peers. Secondary work can reflect capacity and opportunity rather than necessity.
