In the post-pandemic U.S., many people are juggling multiple jobs to cope with rising living costs and stagnant wages. Recent data reveals that nearly 8.4 million Americans held multiple jobs in October 2023, the highest number since the pandemic began. Women are notably leading this trend, with 6% working multiple jobs compared to 4.7% of men.
CBS News highlights that inflation continues to outpace wage growth, making supplemental income from gig work essential for many. Due to this economic strain, nonprofits like United Way report increased difficulty in assisting families.
The Wall Street Journal reports a sharp slowdown in job growth as of July 2024, with the national unemployment rate climbing to its highest since 2021. Concurrently, the share of multiple-job holders rose to 5.3% in July, up from 5.2% in June, and significantly higher than the 4% recorded in April 2020. This reflects the broader economic challenge of managing higher prices for essentials amid a growing job market.
Christopher Taber, chairman of the economics department at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, notes that people are increasingly taking on extra jobs to make ends meet, a trend that highlights both the necessity of additional income and the relative ease of securing multiple positions compared to the past.
