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<\/p>\nFor Jordanna Egan, making a living in South Florida means working two jobs.<\/p>\n
By day, Egan teaches third grade at Tropical Elementary School in Broward County. After school, she heads to Vignetos Italian Grill in Plantation, where she waits tables, serves drinks and makes salads.<\/p>\n
Her workdays can stretch from the early morning until late at night.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m teaching, I get there around 7:15 in the morning, and we work until 3:25,\u201d Egan said. \u201cGet here to Vignetos about 3:45 p.m. to begin my shift. I\u2019m here until anywhere between like 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n
The schedule can mean working about 65 hours a week.<\/p>\n
For Egan, the second job became a financial necessity a few years ago as her children entered high school and her household expenses increased.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the reality is, if I want to continue to live comfortably, I have to have that second income, because $55,000 for 20 years of teaching isn\u2019t enough to pay the bills in South Florida,\u201d Egan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Multiple-job workers on the rise<\/p>\n
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Egan\u2019s experience reflects a broader challenge facing South Florida residents as the cost of housing, groceries, transportation, and other necessities continues to put pressure on household budgets.<\/p>\n
A 2026 analysis from financial services company SmartAsset found that a single adult in the Miami area needs to earn about $108,077 a year to live comfortably. A family of four needs an estimated $231,130 in annual income, according to the report.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s population survey estimates the number of people in Miami-Dade with multiple jobs more than doubled \u2013 when comparing August 2025 to August 2026. Nationally, more than 8 million Americans are working multiple jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That represents more than 5% of the working population.<\/p>\n
The increase comes as consumers continue to feel the effects of higher prices.<\/p>\n
Consumer prices have increased significantly since 2020, with prices for goods and services in major U.S. metropolitan areas rising roughly 24%, according to data from the Consumer Price Index.<\/p>\n
Personal finance expert Kimberly Palmer of NerdWallet said many consumers will cut expenses before turning to a side gig for additional income.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOK, what are some creative ways I can grow my income?\u201d Palmer said. \u201cThat\u2019s where people look for side hustles.\u201d<\/p>\n
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A second job comes with a cost<\/p>\n
For Egan, the additional income helps provide financial security. But the extra work also comes with a physical and emotional toll.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe worst part is when your feet hurt at night,\u201d Egan said.<\/p>\n
Financial security is a trade-off she says she shouldn\u2019t have to make.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year my student data is through the roof. I\u2019m very good at my job,\u201d Egan said. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t have to have a second job to afford to live in the area where my school is.\u201d<\/p>\n