Survey: Job security concerns are fueling side hustles in 2026

In 2026, the phenomenon of a side hustle is almost a norm. The ‘side hustle’ term, referring to having a second source of income through any form, is estimated to hit a market size of $1,847 billion by 2032. 

Forms of side hustles differ, from selling crafts on Etsy to renting out a spare room to taking a stab at freelance work. Beyond the need for earning an extra buck, a rising number of workers in 2026 are using side hustles as a buffer: a safety net in case their full-time job suddenly becomes less secure. 

In January 2026, Careerminds surveyed 1,000 professionals who work both a full-time job and a side hustle to understand the motivations driving people to seek an additional income in 2026. The survey explored the role job security plays in that decision, and the impact that juggling multiple income streams has on workers’ wellbeing.

Side hustling is seemingly American as apple pie, with over 2 in 3 (66.5%) American adults taking on side jobs in addition to their full-time occupation, according to the survey’s findings. 

However, for many workers, side hustlers are less about ambition or a passion project and more about necessity. Nearly two-thirds of side hustlers (64.1%) say they feel pressured to earn additional income due to concerns about job security in 2026.

While the rise of side hustles during the pandemic saw workers turning hobbies and passions into cash, side hustling in 2026 is about responding to financial demands and job uncertainty. Outside of the motivation to earn extra income, more than a third of workers (37.5%) are doing so to build a safety net should they be laid off, while around a third (34.9%) are using side projects to pick up new skills. 

Other motivations for side hustles include:

Gen Z is leading the pack with side hustling for job security. Nearly seven in ten (69.4%) say they are taking extra work as a financial safety net, ahead of 63.6% of millennials. Gen Z’s participation in seeking side hustles as career insurance may come as no surprise, as job confidence is reported among the youngest workers at its lowest YOY since 2020.

Female workers are also slightly more likely than their male counterparts to side hustle for job security, with 67.6% of women taking on extra work compared with 61.5% of men. This aligns with research showing that women are more likely to experience job insecurity, which could be a driving factor for additional work serving as a financial safety net. 

Side hustles contribute a meaningful slice of income for many workers. Most side hustlers (43%) earn between 10-25% of their total income from extra work, while nearly a third (32.5% earn less than 10%). 

Across all income groups, the majority earn between 0-25% of their total income from side hustles. This accounts for 79.2% of low-income earners, 78.5% of middle earners, and 75.8% of high earners.

Side gigs aren’t just taking a few hours here and there. To generate a quarter of their total income, the average American side hustler is spending around a fifth of their free time outside of full-time work on a second job. 

For many, it amounts to another part-time role. (35.1%) spend 11-15 hours every week on their second income, while 31.5% of workers dedicate 5-10 hours. Meanwhile, one in five (20.4%) are working an additional 16 to 20 hours a week, on top of an already full-time schedule.

What started as a financial safety net is, for a lot of workers, becoming a source of added pressure. Longer working weeks, blurred boundaries, and consistent uncertainty are turning “career insurance” into a significant source of stress among gig workers.

There’s no denying that these entrepreneurial endeavors, whatever their form, require a lot of time, energy, and effort. And when paired with job security concerns, an eye-watering 54.9% say their extra work has contributed to moderate or severe burnout. In fact, nearly nine in ten (87.4%) report at least some increase in stress.

Of those side hustlers surveyed, almost a third (32.2%) shared that their employer was operating a side hustle without their employer knowing. 26.5% of workers shared that their employer either knew they worked a side hustle, but didn’t know details, whereas 41.3% of workers disclosed full details of their side hustle to their boss.

Keeping a side hustle under wraps can add extra pressure, even for workers who are otherwise confident in their roles. For some, this discretion can even be driven by concerns about job security – the very reason they took on the side hustle in the first place. In some cases, the extra work intended to provide peace of mind can instead contribute to stress and burnout.

Many side hustlers fearing of being laid off are clear about one thing: they would scale back or even give up their second job if they felt more supported in their full-time role. Careerminds’ survey found that over 63% of side hustle workers said extra support from their employer would moderately or significantly improve their sense of job security and reduce the need for a side hustle. Only 11% felt that additional support would make no difference.

Side hustlers are looking for more than just an increase in pay packet – they want actionable support that solidifies their job security and wellbeing. Almost 1 in 3 workers (30.8%) feel that outplacement services would strengthen their confidence in their current role, whereas 61.5% would like more opportunities for growth and upskilling.

For many workers, side hustles are a crucial source of financial security in 2026. Access to training, guidance, and outplacement services could not only reduce the need for extra work but also help employees feel more secure, supported, and more confident about their working future.

This report is based on a survey conducted by Careerminds in January 2026, gathering insights from 1,000 full-time workers who also receive an income from a side hustle.