In 2024, American Millennials are grappling with financial strains amidst the United States being ranked as the 12th most expensive country globally.
With homeownership seeming increasingly out of reach due to inflated down payments and soaring interest rates, renting has become a more feasible option in many U.S. states.
Despite the monthly expenses of renting surpassing those of monthly mortgage rates, the housing market’s financial barriers have excluded numerous Gen Z and Millennials, as indicated by research from Statista.
This predicament has led approximately 39% of Americans to pursue side hustles or side jobs, fueling the rise of the phenomenon dubbed “over-employment” on platforms like TikTok and Reddit.
Over-employment involves juggling two full-time remote white-collar jobs concurrently, often during overlapping hours, resulting in two full-time paychecks.
Although some employers may view this practice as unethical, the necessity of having a side job or hustle for financial stability and career advancement cannot be denied.
Initiating an open conversation with one’s employer to establish a flexible working arrangement may be prudent to avoid repercussions for pursuing a second job.
Recently, FlexJobs, a remote and flexible job board, identified several lucrative side jobs suitable for individuals seeking part-time work alongside full-time commitments or freelancing opportunities.
Among the top-paying roles are:
1. Software Developer: Remote opportunities for software developers are abundant on platforms like DevIT Jobs, Turing, and Dice, offering an average hourly pay of $59.71 for freelancers or part-time workers.
2. Project Manager: With high demand across various sectors, freelance project managers can earn an average hourly rate of $45.85, necessitating the ability to classify work to avoid confusion with regular duties.
3. Consultant: From social media management to legal expertise, consulting roles offer diverse opportunities, typically around $45 per hour. Such gigs can be sourced through personal networks, LinkedIn, and FlexJobs.
4. Adjunct Professor: Adjunct professors who teach part-time across multiple institutions enjoy a median hourly pay of $38.87, providing a means to share expertise and bolster income simultaneously.
5. Web Designer: Utilizing web design skills during spare time can yield an hourly rate of up to $38.81, distinguishing web designers from web developers in creating web page layouts.
Exploring side jobs through flexible job boards and personal networks presents an avenue to supplement income and develop valuable skills.
Engaging in dialogue with employers or finding a workaround to pursue freelance work alongside regular employment can contribute to achieving financial and personal goals while fostering career growth.