Debt Pressures Driving u.s. Workers to Second Jobs and Career Trade-Offs, Surveys Reveal

A growing number of American workers are making career decisions based on their debt levels, with many turning to second jobs or compromising on career preferences to manage their financial obligations, according to new survey data.

About 38% of employees reported taking on a second job to pay down debt, a recent Zety report found. Another 37% accepted roles outside their field or jobs they found uninteresting to manage their balances. The survey, conducted April 12, polled 1,005 U.S. employees.

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Debt levels vary widely, with 37% of respondents owing under $10,000, 20% owing up to $25,000, and 10% carrying balances as high as $100,000. Credit card debt was the most common form, reported by 71% of respondents, followed by mortgage (37%), auto loans (30%), and student loans (23%).

“Debt is a growing force behind why people take certain jobs, stay in roles longer than they’d like, or hesitate to make a career pivot,” said Priya Rathod, a career trends expert at Indeed.

Zety career expert Jasmine Escalera noted that debt is limiting career aspirations, with 17% of workers saying they would start a business, return to school, or freelance if not for their financial burdens.

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Indeed data from a mid-May survey of 1,256 adults showed 52% have side hustles to make ends meet. Rathod noted the trend is often driven by necessity, especially with 46% of workers fearing potential layoffs in the coming year.

Experts advise seeking raises, promotions, or switching industries as longer-term strategies. “Working more hours is a short-term solution, and growing your main income is a long-term strategy,” Rathod said. She also suggested negotiating total compensation beyond salary, such as remote flexibility or education benefits.