According to a study by myperfectresume, many U.S. workers are turning to multiple jobs to supplement their income, with 35% of respondents who worked a second job saying they needed multiple incomes to cover basic living expenses.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. census data shows almost 13% of Hoosiers have multiple jobs, and more than half of those work full-time for at least one of those jobs. This is greater than the national average of 9.7% for multiple jobholders, with the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson metropolitan area as fourth-highest in the country for multiple jobholders, at 14%.

The reasons for taking more than one job are many and varied.

One study conducted by MyPerfectResume found 42% of workers took another job to pay off debts or loans, 37% to save for major live goals, and 35% for living expenses. 20% of respondents listed childcare and school for their children as the biggest reason they took a second job.

“The motivations driving secondary income efforts underscore the financial pressures many face and the role of additional earnings in achieving stability and long-term aspirations,” writes career expert Jasmine Escalera in the report.

While additional sources of income may offer relief, they can bring complex challenges.

Having more than one job can have a big impact on well-being, the study found, with 49% saying their focus at work was negatively affected, and 21% reporting a decline in overall health. Of the respondents, 40% said work focus was improved due to lessened financial stress, while 11% reported no change in performance.

These findings show that, as many workers choose to have another job, there are both positive and negative consequences to be aware of.