32+ Side Hustle Statistics (February 2026)

Side hustle participation dropped sharply in 2025, hitting its lowest level since 2017 after several years of decline. However, younger adults, parents with young kids, and people with higher education are still the most likely to run side hustles.

• In 2025, 27% of US adults had a side hustle, the lowest level since 2017 and down from 36% the year before. (Bankrate)

• In 2025, 34% of Gen Z had a side hustle, compared with 31% of Millennials, 23% of Gen X, and 22% of Baby Boomers. (Bankrate)
• Some 34% of parents with kids under 18 have a side hustle, versus 28% of non-parents and 23% of parents with adult children. (Bankrate)
• 32% of post-graduate degree holders have a side hustle, compared with 30% of four-year degree holders and 23% of those with a high school diploma or less. (Bankrate)

While discretionary spending is the top use overall, a large share of Americans rely on side hustles for essentials, savings, or debt repayment, especially Black workers and college graduates.

• Among side hustlers, 41% use the extra income for discretionary spending, 35% for regular living expenses, 28% save some of it, and 20% use it to pay down debt. (Bankrate)

• Black side hustlers rely more on side hustle income for essentials: 42% use it for regular expenses, and 39% say they need it to make ends meet. (Bankrate)
• In 2025, 26% of four-year degree holders used side hustle income to pay down debt, compared with 20% of side hustlers overall. (Bankrate)

Most side hustles generate modest income, and typical earnings fell in 2025. At the same time, gender gaps remain, with men earning nearly twice as much as women on average.

• The median side hustle income was $200 per month in 2025, down from $250 in 2024. (Bankrate)

• Men earn more from side hustles than women, with an average monthly income of $1,195 versus $611 and median earnings of $247 versus $148. (Bankrate)

Most side hustles are part-time commitments, with the majority of people spending 10 hours a week or less and working mainly in the evenings.

• The most common time spent on side hustles is 5-10 hours per week, reported by 36.2% of Americans. (Self Financial)

• Evenings are the most common time for side hustles (38%), while weekends are the least popular, with only 14.8% working on them then. (Self Financial)
• Most side hustlers have worked on their side hustle for 1-2 years (28.2%), while 21.2% have done so for less than six months. (Self Financial)

• The top reason people don't have a side hustle is a lack of time (43.7%), followed by a lack of the right skills at 35.5%. (Self Financial)

Most side hustles are digital and service-based, with online sales, freelance work, and content creation leading the way. While extra income is the primary driver, many people also pursue side hustles for creativity, growth, and the flexibility to potentially replace a full-time job.

• Online sales and professional services lead side hustles, with 15% of side hustlers in online sales and 14% in freelance or consulting services. (Bankrate)

• Side hustles are primarily digital, led by social media creation (35%), e-commerce (27%), gaming and streaming (24%), and graphic design (14%). (Canva)
• Extra income is the top reason for side hustles (55%), followed by creative expression (36%), turning a passion into a business (32%), and personal growth (28%). (Canva)
• If their side hustle could support them, 65% would consider quitting their full-time job, while 28% would keep both for balance and variety. (Canva)
• Top platforms for side hustles include TikTok (41%), YouTube (40%), Instagram (37%), Amazon (21%), Canva (17%), and Twitch (17%). (Canva)
• 80% of people have used AI to support their side hustles, and 74% call it their “secret growth weapon.” (Canva)

Side hustles are common in the UK, with strong participation among younger adults and much higher earnings in London.

• About two in five people in the UK (39%) had a side hustle in 2025. (Finder)
• In 2025, the average monthly income from side hustles in the UK was £914. (Finder)
• 61% of Gen Z and 55% of Millennials earn money from side hustles, compared with just 17% of Baby Boomers. (Finder)

• Nearly one in five people in the UK (18%) have used AI for side hustle advice. (Finder)
• About half of men (49%) earn money from side hustles, compared with 37% of women. (Finder)
• Londoners lead the UK in side hustles, with three in five (58%) earning extra income and averaging £1,331 per month. (Finder)

Across the four countries, roughly one in four adults has a side hustle, most often to earn extra income. These side hustles are usually low-commitment and low-earning.

• About 27.4% of adults across the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia have a side hustle, including 25.1% in both Canada and Australia. (Omnisend)
• Gen Z leads the side hustle economy, with 44.3% in Canada and 41.5% in Australia reporting a side hustle. (Omnisend)
• In the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, 62% of people do side hustles for extra income. (Omnisend)
• In all four markets (US, UK, Canada, and Australia), 72.4% spend fewer than 10 hours per week on their side hustle. (Omnisend)
• Most side hustlers (60.3%) earn up to $500 per month across the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. (Omnisend)

Need to run some quick numbers? Check out the calculators below to help with savings, rent, and math.

• APY calculator;
• Prorated rent calculator;
• Future value calculator; and
• Average calculator.