Side Hustle Statistics
Last updated: June 2026 · 5 sourced statistics
Side hustles have become a fixture of household economics: Bankrate's surveys consistently find more than a third of US adults earning income beyond their main job, averaging several hundred dollars a month. Younger generations participate most. Sources: Bankrate, Pew Research, and Upwork.
Key takeaways
- More than a third of US adults report having a side hustle (Bankrate).
- Average side hustle income runs several hundred dollars per month.
- Participation skews young — Gen Z and millennials lead every survey.
The statistics
More than a third of US adults report earning money from a side hustle in Bankrate's annual survey, with averages near $900 per month among earners.
Source:Bankrate Side Hustle Survey2024
Gen Z and millennial adults report side hustles at roughly half — well above older generations (Bankrate).
Source:Bankrate Side Hustle Survey2024
16% of Americans have earned through an online gig platform — one of the most common side hustle channels (Pew Research).
Source:Pew Research Center2021
Many of the 64 million Americans who freelanced in 2023 did so alongside traditional employment — side freelancing is the largest on-ramp (Upwork).
Source:Upwork Freelance Forward2023
Side hustle income over $400 net triggers self-employment tax filing obligations in the US (IRS).
Source:Internal Revenue Service2025
Methodology & sources
Compiled June 2026 from Bankrate's annual side hustle surveys, Pew Research gig-work studies, Upwork research, and IRS thresholds. Survey shares move a few points year to year; consult linked sources for the current wave.
Frequently asked questions
How many Americans have a side hustle?
More than a third of adults per Bankrate's surveys — approaching half among Gen Z and millennials.
How much does a typical side hustle earn?
Several hundred dollars monthly on average (Bankrate finds means near $900, skewed by high earners; medians are lower).
Do I owe taxes on side hustle income?
Yes — $400+ in net self-employment earnings triggers self-employment tax, and all income is taxable regardless. Platforms increasingly report earnings to the IRS on 1099-K.
Related statistics
Stop becoming a late-payment statistic
Create professional invoices in seconds and track every payment — free to start.
Try InvoiceQuickly Free