Overview:
Polyworking, the practice of holding multiple jobs or roles simultaneously, is becoming increasingly common among Americans as they struggle to stay financially afloat in an economy with stagnant wages and rising living costs. According to a recent Monster survey, 47% of U.S. workers are already polyworking, and nearly 60% are open to holding multiple full-time jobs. While polyworking can be a smart move if handled with intention, it also comes with risks, including burnout and fatigue. As long as wages, stability, and opportunity do not catch up to reality, polyworking will continue to reshape how Americans live, earn, and build their futures.
A growing number of Americans are taking on second, third, and even fourth jobs to offset inflation and stagnant wages. Credit: Thirdman/Pexels Credit: Thirdman/Pexels
Have you heard of the term poly-working?
If you are saying “no”, then yes was on the same boat with you. That was until I did some reading on it.
Polyworking is the practice of holding multiple jobs or roles at the same time, which can include a combination of full-time jobs, part-time work, and freelance or side hustles.
It is how millions of Americans keep their careers moving while trying to stay financially afloat in an economy that keeps shifting.
This year, a Monster survey found that 47% of U.S. workers are already polyworking, and nearly 60% are open to holding multiple full-time jobs. For anyone surprised by those numbers, you probably aren’t living on a stagnant salary, or you haven’t had to rebuild your life every time the job market tightens. For those who have, the rise of polywork feels less like a choice and more like a response to a workplace environment that no longer guarantees stability.
I learned this lesson early in my journalism career. I had invested thousands into my education. I had followed every piece of advice about internships, clips, networking, and portfolio building. What I wasn’t prepared for was the simple math of trying to live on a reporter’s salary in a city where rent outpaces wages year after year. And if I’m being sincere, working multiple jobs is ridiculous. Capitalism will always stand on business, and we, the people, will keep dancing to its tune, and I’m sick of it. We should have to work a second job because we want to, not because we have to. But I digress.
Not enough people in school (at least for me) tell you about the second jobs you might need to take just to stay in the field you trained for. No one tells you how many young reporters work retail on weekends, drive rideshare after late shifts, or build freelance portfolios on a full-time salary, not because they want to, but because they have to.
What struck me over time was the pattern. The people who didn’t need a second job tended to come from more privileged backgrounds. They had financial cushions I didn’t have. They could afford to “wait out” low pay because someone else was helping with rent or bills. And the people struggling the most looked a lot more like me.
Workers are polyworking for one main reason, and that is for more money. Sixty-eight percent say they need extra income for basic expenses. More than half say it is essential for covering the cost of living. Almost half use the income to pay off debt, and more than one-third treat it as a safety net, especially in a job market where layoffs seem to hit in waves.
It doesn’t help that real wages grew by less than 1% this year, while living costs rose by three percent. That gap has pushed millions to find second, third, or even fourth income streams. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says 8.4 million adults now hold more than one job, but IRS data puts the real number closer to 39% when you count supplemental income.
Some workers are seeking skills and opportunities that their primary job cannot provide. Many are pursuing what’s now called a “portfolio career,” where different jobs build different strengths. Younger workers, especially Gen Z, view polyworking as a means to take control of their careers rather than bet everything on a single employer.
Polyworking can be a smart move if you handle it with intention. If your schedule is flexible, your workload allows it, and your main job has stalled due to layoffs, freezes, or limited advancement opportunities, a part-time or short-term second job can be the bridge you need. It can help you grow, save, or breathe easier.
Honestly, employers who can’t offer raises or promotions cannot be shocked when their workers seek income elsewhere. As long as someone shows up, meets deadlines, and performs their duties, what is the problem? Loyalty cannot be a one-way street.
But polyworking does come with risks. Burnout is real. About 26% of workers believe long-term polyworking will harm their mental health. Balancing multiple schedules can stretch your patience and your energy. Even with the best time management, fatigue can still creep in.
Even with the challenges, polyworking is not slowing down. Thirty-eight percent of workers say they plan to continue doing it to reach their career goals. Sixty-four percent plan to start a second job or side hustle in the next year because they are worried about the economy, and many have barely a month’s worth of savings.
Polyworking reflects a changing economy where workers are reluctant to gamble their future on a single employer. It is a practical answer to a system that demands more while giving less. And for many, it is the only way to stay steady, move forward, and support yourself with dignity.
Americans are doing whatever it takes to survive and succeed. And until wages, stability, and opportunity catch up to reality, this form of working will continue to reshape how we live, earn, and build our futures.
This story was originally published on Word In Black on December 9th, 2025
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