The Rise of the Side Hustle: Why More UK Workers Are Taking on Second Jobs
The side hustle is no longer just a fun way to utilize your skills or pursue your passions. It’s become a normal part of how many professionals work today. According to LiveCareer’s Rise of the Side Hustle Report, the number of people with side hustles in the UK jumped by 20% in the past year alone, reaching 460,000. What was once a creative outlet or way to earn a little extra income has evolved into an essential part of many professionals’ economic survival and pursuit of financial freedom.
A generational shift in work and income
While younger workers have been immersed in the gig economy, online freelancing, and the monetization of personal brands on social media, side hustles aren’t just a Gen Z phenomenon. According to LiveCareer’s Rise of the Side Hustle Report, 61% of Gen Z and 55% of millennials are already earning income from side hustles. This is a stark contrast to older generations that largely relied on one job for the entirety of their career. For many younger professionals, traditional career paths feel less reliable, and depending on a single employer for long-term stability isn’t just outdated. But in today’s ever-changing work world, it can feel downright risky. A side hustle is no longer just about extra cash flow, it’s become a strategy for building financial security while giving professionals more control over their income and careers.
Why side hustles are booming
Several factors are contributing to the side hustle boom. The rising cost of living, combined with salaries that are failing to keep pace, is a major driver. Many workers are taking on extra work simply to maintain their everyday standard of living. This isn’t about extravagance. According to MyPerfectResume’s Secondary Income Sources Report, 42% of side hustlers are motivated by paying off debt or loans, 37% by saving for major life goals, and 35% by covering living expenses.
Technology has also made earning side income easier than ever. The rise of personal branding on social media allows professionals to turn their skills, hobbies, or everyday lives into a thriving business. Simultaneously, the gig economy even provides opportunities to earn extra cash doing everyday tasks from driving to dogsitting. This digital ecosystem has provided entrepreneurship to the masses, giving anyone the opportunity to participate and generate additional income.
The upside to side hustles: skill building, freedom, and financial security
For many professionals, side hustles aren’t just about earning extra income. They provide a creative outlet and an opportunity to pursue passions that don’t fit into their traditional day job. Take for example someone working in finance who decides to start a photography business. Pursuing these passions can support overall well-being across all areas of a professional’s life, including their career.
Side hustles also allow professionals to build new skills that can strengthen their profiles and open doors to new roles or industries. Side hustles even have the potential to grow into something bigger. Many full-time entrepreneurs began as side hustlers, testing their ideas and building a client base before stepping away from their 9-to-5. For those who eventually transition into full-time entrepreneurship, the payoff can include greater control over work, flexibility, and work-life balance.
The downside to side hustles: burnout and boundaries
Side hustles do come with trade-offs. Balancing a full-time job with a side hustle can be exhausting, and the risk of burnout is very real. According to Zety’s State of Gig Work Report, 33% of gig workers cite physical or mental burnout as a major concern. When there’s no downtime and work extends into evenings and weekends, it becomes incredibly difficult to rest and recover. And with 63% of workers already feeling burned out multiple times a week, juggling a side hustle can intensify an already widespread burnout epidemic.
There are ethical and even legal considerations to keep in mind as well. If your side hustle overlaps with your day job, for example you are consulting in the same industry or serving similar clients, you may need to disclose it to your employer to avoid potential conflicts of interest.
The new world of work
The rise of side hustles reflects a major cultural shift in how we view work. Professionals are no longer just focused on climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, many are seeking more control over their income, time and future. As more professionals step into side hustles, it serves as a wake-up call for employers. Companies need to consider whether they are offering the right support, growth opportunities, and work-life balance to keep talent engaged. Or if they’re cultivating environments that make starting a side hustle seem like a far better option for creating the life professionals truly want.
Written by Jasmine Escalera, career expert at LiveCareerUK