Study Finds 9 Out of 10 Americans Have a Side Hustle

A new study by insurance marketplace platform Insuranks reports that nine out of 10 full-time working Americans also have a side-hustle job. More than half said they need the extra income to support themselves financially.

The study surveyed 1,104 Americans who are currently employed full-time. Top reasons why the participants are working a side hustle included trying to pay down debt, needing help covering bills, and a desire for extra cash. According to the survey, Americans make an extra $777 on average every month from their side hustle.

The study also found:

• One out of five workers plan to turn the side hustle into a full-time job
• 32% completely hide the side hustle from those at their full-time job
• 55% work the side hustle during the full-time job’s working hours
• One out of 10 workers have been caught by a co-worker or manager working the side hustle.

The most common side hustles included selling items online, driving for a rideshare app, selling used clothing, freelance writing, and creating handmade items to sell. Those surveyed are working an average of 15 hours a week at the side hustle.

Working remotely also makes a difference. Of the Americans who full-time work from home, 86% said their work-from-home jobs allow them to work the side hustle, where an on-site job would not. One in six said recent return-to-office mandates has hindered their ability to work a side hustle, while 41% said they would quit their full-time job if they were no longer allowed to work remotely.

Even though more than half enjoyed the full-time job over the side hustle, given the chance, 55% would quit the full-time job if they made enough money solely from the side gig.