Trapped by Debt: 38% of Workers Take Second Jobs to Get By

It’s hard to chase your dream job when you’re drowning in bills. Zety’s new Debt & Career Impact Report uncovers how deeply debt is embedded in working Americans’ lives—and how it’s actively reshaping job choices, financial behaviors, and long-term stability.

Among more than 1,000 U.S. workers surveyed in April 2025, not a single individual reported living debt-free. Instead, many are taking on side jobs for extra cash, accepting roles they don’t want, and making urgent trade-offs to manage their financial obligations in an increasingly volatile economy.

Key findings: 

• Side jobs are a survival strategy: 38% have taken on second jobs for extra money that can cover debt payments.
• Debt is dictating career decisions: 37% of workers have accepted jobs they didn’t want just to stay afloat.
• The debt divide is extreme: Nearly half of Americans owe at least $25,000, and 1 in 5 owe over $100,000.
• Americans are adjusting their finances: 38% have cut non-essential spending, and 25% have increased minimum payments.
• Policy-driven anxiety adds pressure: 78% fear U.S. tariffs will make it harder to manage or repay debt.

Debt Is Rewriting Careers, Not Just Budgets

Debt isn’t just a financial burden; it’s a career constraint. Many Americans are trading passion for practicality, opting for jobs they don’t want just to make ends meet.

• 38% have taken on extra work, including side hustles or second jobs to make extra money and keep up with debt.
• 37% have accepted jobs they weren’t interested in, or that were outside their industry, just to repay debt.
• 17% say they would start a business, go back to school, or freelance if they were debt-free.

What this means: This trend may be quietly reshaping the labor market, with skilled professionals underutilized in roles unrelated to their training, all because debt leaves no room for choice.

Policy Anxiety Is Driving Urgent Financial Choices

Worries about economic policy are compounding personal financial stress. U.S. tariffs and interest rates are prompting workers to take urgent financial action or brace for impact.

• 78% fear U.S. tariffs will make it harder to repay or avoid debt.
• 38% have reduced non-essential spending.
• 25% increased their minimum payments.
• Others are transferring balances (13%), delaying repayment (14%), consolidating debt (8%), refinancing (5%), seeking financial counseling (5%), or negotiating with lenders (4%).
• 34% have taken no specific action, possibly due to limited financial options.

What this means: Macroeconomic policies are directly impacting household budgets. The fear of rising costs is pushing workers into short-term solutions, which may not be sustainable long-term.

The True Scale of American Debt

The debt divide is real, and for many, it’s crushing. While some workers are managing smaller debts, others are burdened with six-figure obligations that shape every decision they make.

• 37% owe less than $10,000
• 20% owe $10,000-$25,000
• 13% owe $25,001-$50,000
• 10% owe $50,001-$100,000
• 11% owe $100,001-$199,999
• 9% owe over $200,000

Nearly half of Americans carry at least $25,000 in debt, and 1 in 5 owe more than $100,000, highlighting extreme disparities in financial pressure.

What this means: High debt levels are amplifying inequality in the workforce. Those with significant debt face limited career options and greater financial vulnerability, regardless of income or education level.

Debt has become a silent career driver—limiting choices, shaping job paths, and heightening anxiety over financial stability. For employers and policymakers, these findings are a wake-up call: addressing debt isn't just about improving credit scores; it's about unlocking career potential by expanding access to skills-based hiring and resumes that reflect true capability.

Methodology

The findings presented were obtained by surveying 1,005 U.S. employees on April 12, 2025, via Pollfish. Participants responded to a range of question types about personal debt and its impact on their careers, including yes/no questions, open-ended questions, scale-based questions gauging agreement levels, and multiple-choice questions allowing for multiple selection.