SAN ANTONIO – More Americans are turning to multiple jobs to make ends meet, with the percentage of employed individuals working two or more jobs reaching levels not seen since the 2008 recession.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows 5.4% of employed Americans hold multiple jobs, reflecting growing economic pressures as inflation continues to impact household budgets.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty, and with that uncertainty, people start thinking about ways to mitigate their risk,” said James Albis, CEO of freelancing app JobSnap.
For Cyndi Carter, a full-time nurse and single mother of three, the financial strain led her to take on additional work managing social media for local businesses within the last six months.
“Things just got really bad really fast … the prices for food, clothes for the kids,” Carter said. “Emotionally, it’s really hard because you just feel like no matter how hard you’re pushing … you’re not winning.”
Albis noted his app has seen increased activity as more people seek to monetize their skills in the gig economy.
“There’s a lot of folks that never thought they would find themselves in the gig economy,” Albis said.
With the holiday season approaching, the financial pressure intensifies for many families.
“It’s really hard. … I’m already trying to strategize Christmas, and I have no idea what’s going to happen for Thanksgiving,” Carter said.
Despite the challenges, Carter maintains a positive outlook, particularly because her side work allows her to maintain flexibility for her family.
“When you’re a parent, that survival mode just constantly kicks in,” she said. “I’ve been able to give my kids so many experiences that I probably couldn’t afford. … I’ll always be grateful for that.”
Read also:
Copyright 2025 by KSAT – All rights reserved.