Is working a second job worth it?
Sarah Garza
Updated on March 21, 2026
Working a second job will boost your income, especially if you keep your taxes in order, plan your time effectively, and choose your second job wisely. If you choose a job that’s in a completely different industry, you’re less likely to upset your main employer – and you’ll also get the chance to develop new skills.
Do you get taxed more if you work 2 jobs?
Unless you inform your payroll department that you have a second job, both employers will factor in the basic personal amount when deducting tax from your pay. Essentially, the same credit is being used twice. Since you can only apply the basic personal credit once on your tax return, you may end up with tax owing.
Are moonlighting policies legal?
Moonlighting is Generally Protected Activity The laws of California generally protect the rights of California workers to freely work. California Labor Code section 96 essentially prohibits employers from punishing employees who engage in moonlighting in their free time.
How much does a second job get taxed?
You don’t pay extra tax for having a second job. You pay the same amount of tax whether you earn $1000 a week from a single job or across multiple jobs. When you do your tax return, we add all your income together and calculate the tax you need to pay based on your combined income.
Is it good to have a second job?
One in four Brits now have a second job to boost their income. Whether it’s to save for a property, make a dream job more realistic, or just to make ends meet, a side hustle is a great way to improve your lifestyle and even gain useful experience outside your usual work.
How many people in United States have second jobs?
The number of American workers with second jobs has risen steadily over the past two decades, according to the U.S. Census Bureau: 7.8% of workers held multiple jobs in 2018, compared to 6.8% of workers in 1996. 1 A second job —sometimes called a “side hustle”—can be more than just a way to pad your bank account.
What are the different types of second jobs?
Below are six general categories of second job. Keep in mind that these categories do not cover every possible second job – there are many more possibilities. Ideally, your second job will be part-time, likely with a flexible schedule. What is great about the jobs in these categories is that most of them are part-time.
Do you have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet?
Left school with record student loan debt. Face a somewhat improving—but still very gloomy—job market. Probably won’t be able to make ends meet, repay student debts, and start saving on an entry-level salary alone. The following excerpt describes an aspiring actress who works more than four jobs to make ends meet.