Survey: The Realities of Polyworking Among Millennials

Key Findings

• 52% of millennials work side hustles to supplement their income
• Among millennials practicing polyworking, 33% work at four or more jobs, while 24% handle three jobs at once
• The average annual income from side hustles is $12,689; the highest reported side hustle income is $45,000
• 41% of polyworking millennials report that side hustles have reduced their financial stress level
• 35% of millennials use digital and AI tools to manage their side hustles, particularly in tech fields

A research team from Academized.com surveyed 2,500 millennials between the ages of 26 and 41 to study the growing trend of polyworking. The research sought to discover why millennials participate in side gigs and to measure both their time commitment and resulting financial benefits. It also examined how polyworking impacts their career perspectives and personal well-being. The survey findings demonstrate that many millennials take on side hustles to increase their earnings and follow their passions but also manage the risk of burnout. Survey participants see polyworking as a sustainable career option which demonstrates the changing nature of work.

Millennials and the Side Hustle Boom

52% of respondents aged 26-41 actively engage in side hustles. Meanwhile, 42% of millennials reported that they do not currently participate in side hustles. 6% of respondents chose not to answer this question.

Juggling Multiple Jobs: How Many Is Too Many?

33% of millennials have four or more jobs at once, balancing multiple jobs and side hustles. 24% of millennials report working at 3 jobs at once, while 43% of respondents manage two income-generating activities.

Why Millennials Turn to Polyworking

Millennials who do polyworking reported that 31% work extra to save money while 24% seek self-expression and follow their interests and passions. A total of 45% of survey participants pointed to various motivations which included developing new career skills (17%), creating personal brands or businesses (12%), while 9% aimed to enhance their work-life balance through increased flexibility. 7% chose not to respond to the question.

The Time Commitment of Polyworking

64% of side hustlers spend 5 to 20 hours weekly on their additional jobs while maintaining their full-time work commitments. This may reflect how millennials apply time management and work-life balance methods to sustain multiple income streams.

How Much Are Side Hustles Really Paying?

Through side jobs millennials generate an average yearly income of $12,689 which enhanced their main incomes while improving their financial stability. Workers in popular freelance and tech sectors reported earning as much as $45,000 annually from side jobs. People who worked low-paying or sporadic side jobs earned $1,200 per year from their additional work.

The Downsides of Polyworking

Millennials who maintain side jobs face difficulties because they have to manage multiple work responsibilities. A study reveals that managing multiple jobs results in burnout for 42% of millennials because of extended work hours and frequent job changes. 26% of survey respondents experienced personal relationship problems because of their multiple job responsibilities while 19% of participants reported a decline in their full-time job performance. The survey findings indicate that 31% of participants see no major disadvantages in polyworking which demonstrates that multiple job commitments offer enough advantages for some individuals to consider them worthwhile.

The Impact of Side Hustles on Financial Stress

According to our survey results 41% of millennials reported side hustles helped them reduce their financial stress. A total of 34% of respondents reported only limited financial stress relief from their side hustles and 25% acknowledged that despite side hustle benefits they face substantial financial challenges.

The Role of Technology

The survey results show that 35% of millennials use digital and AI tools to manage their side hustles. Particularly in tech fields like coding, app development and digital marketing.

Gender Distribution in Polyworking

52% of female millennials engage in side hustles compared to only 38% participation among male polyworking millennials. This may indicate that women tend to participate in polyworking to achieve career flexibility and personal satisfaction. The remaining participants chose to withhold their gender identity or refused to provide an answer.

Long-Term Career Perspectives

In the future, 58% of millennials plan to keep several income-generating activities active. The trend is moving from conventional nine-to-five positions toward modern work models that offer more adaptable and varied employment options. 33% of millennials expressed their preference for traditional single-job careers and believe working multiple income streams may result in burnout. 9% of respondents either avoided answering or displayed uncertainty about their future career direction.

Polyworking Across Europe

The trend of polyworking is not limited to the United States. Across Europe millennials embrace multiple income streams to achieve financial stability, pursue passions and build more flexible careers. Germany stands out with the highest proportion of polyworking millennials in the region.

• 47% of European millennials have at least one side hustle.
• 29% actively manage two or more side jobs.
• Germany leads Europe, with 54% of German millennials involved in polyworking.
• In France, 41% of millennials juggle multiple sources of income.
• In the United Kingdom, 49% of millennials engage in side hustles.
• 36% of European millennial polyworkers earn over €10,000 annually from side hustles.
• 22% of European millennials report that their side hustles have become their primary source of income.
• 40% cite financial security as the main reason for taking on side jobs.
• 28% say they pursue polyworking to achieve a better work-life balance.

Conclusion

Academized's survey provides an extensive analysis of the current polyworking trends among millennials. Side hustles present substantial monetary benefits although the need to manage multiple jobs creates a risk of burnout. The results show that millennials see polyworking as their preferred long-term approach to secure financial stability. At the same time it's important for them to fulfill personal goals and maintain career flexibility. Millennials must consider how polyworking affects both their work-life balance and mental health.

Source: Academized.com Survey, 2025
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