Burnout and Financial Stress Among Side Hustlers A side gig is a good way to make extra money, but it comes with trade-offs. As with any job, you’ll have less free time and in some cases, more stress.
Burnout, a state of exhaustion often stemming from work or other overwhelming responsibilities, is a significant issue among side hustlers. Sixty-five percent of our survey respondents report experiencing burnout at least sometimes. Just one in 10 never experience burnout.
But only 44% of our respondents feel at least “somewhat” financially secure, underscoring the reality for many Americans. According to our State of Savings survey, 62% of working Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Taxes and Profitability Taxes add an extra layer of complexity if you’re earning side income. Workers with a side gig are most likely considered independent contractors, so companies don’t withhold any taxes from their checks. That makes the worker responsible for paying them through quarterly payments. Even a side gig not associated with a company, such as selling your stuff online, could earn you enough money to trigger taxes.
Not every worker is prepared for this aspect of having a side hustle. In fact, 1 in 5 survey respondents said they haven’t set aside money for taxes or aren’t sure what they owe, and only 43% set aside money and pay at annual filing. Depending on your side hustle, there may be rules in regards to your tax obligation. It’s important to ask a tax professional about your specific situation.
The Future of Side Hustles in America Our survey respondents were fairly evenly split about whether they plan to keep hustling long term:
42% plan to continue long-term 47% expect to quit eventually
For some, side hustle can offer a temporary cash influx or a way to reach a specific financial goal, like buying a car or house. For others, a side hustle is a permanent arrangement, whether by choice or by need. If you’re looking for a side hustle, think about your goals when considering your options. Do you want to bring in a little extra cash, like a short-term gig for teachers on summer break? Or are you seeking a long-term job with a company that hires remote workers?
How to Find a Side Hustle That Works for You When it comes to side hustles, you have a lot of options. We’ve reported extensively on side jobs and have found remote side hustles, the best second jobs, high-paying part-time jobs, summer jobs for teachers, ways to earn extra money before retirement and more.
No matter what kind of side jobs Americans are doing, 73% of our survey respondents say flexibility is most important. Another 39% say high earning potential is the top priority when considering a side hustle while 39% say personal fulfillment is most crucial.
When deciding what kind of side job to work, here are some things to consider:
The job’s flexibility: Can you swing this job between your other commitments? Your availability: Realistically, how much time do you have to do this job? It’s important to consider downtime to de-stress, too. Impact on primary job: Is there a conflict of interest or policy violations with your main gig?Pay: Is the pay worth the effort? Your skills: Does this job leverage my experience? Time commitment: Is this a temporary job? Or one that you can do indefinitely?Knowing what you need and want with a side hustle can help you make the best choice for your finances and your lifestyle.
Methodology The Penny Hoarder surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults in February 2026 using Pollfish, a mobile survey platform. Respondents were screened to ensure they currently earn income from an active side hustle. Survey responses were post-stratified to better reflect the U.S. adult population based on age, gender, region, and income. Additional stat (extrapolated): 8.6 million Americans say they hold multiple jobs, according to the BLS. So we can say: 4.6 million (8.6 M x 53%) American workers say they couldn’t cover essential expenses without their side hustle.
