Beyond the 9-to-5: The Side Hustle Experience
The Self article Side Hustle Statistics explores the growing trend of Americans turning hobbies, skills, and passions into extra income streams. With nearly half of U.S. adults engaging in some form of side work, side hustles have become an important part of how people manage finances, pursue interests, and gain a sense of autonomy.
" The side hustle industry is booming in the U.S., with people turning their hobbies and skills into businesses they can earn some extra money from. But what does the average side hustle look like in 2025? And how much money can you really make from one of these jobs?" (Self, 2025).
We’ve put together some interesting side hustle statistics, so keep reading to find out more about the industry and those who are a part of it." (Self, 2025).
Key Statistics
"45% of people in the U.S. currently have a side hustle.
34.2% of those with a side hustle said they rely on the extra money to cover basic costs.
10.5% of side hustlers report that they make more than $1,000 a month from their side hustle.
The highest proportion of side hustlers (36.2%) spend 5-10 hours per week on their side business.
An average side hustle brings in $688 a month, but 58.6% of people report that they earn less than $250 a month from their side hustle.
Baby boomers earn the most from side hustles with an average of $441 per month." (Self, 2025).
What strikes me most about the side hustle trend is how much it reflects people’s desire for control and flexibility in their lives. Many aren’t just chasing extra cash, they’re finding ways to build skills, express creativity, and shape their work on their own terms. From a design perspective, this highlights the need for tools and platforms that make side hustles easier to manage, simple payment systems, scheduling tools, and accessible ways to reach clients can make a huge difference. The numbers also show that while a few people make significant money, most are earning modest amounts, which suggests that experiences and empowerment often matter more than profit. It’s a reminder that design isn’t just about flashy features, it’s about creating systems that support real people in achieving their goals, making side hustles feel doable, manageable, and even enjoyable.
Reference.
Lifestyle, C. (2024). Female Vlogger Recording Cooking Related Broadcast at Home [Photography]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/female-vlogger-recording-cooking-related-broadcast-at-home-jqcDSGbupT8
Self. (2025). Side hustle statistics: The state of side gigs in 2025. https://www.self.inc/info/side-hustle-statistics/
Based on Side Hustle Statistics (~40%), combined with my own reflections on design, work, and user experience (~30%), and text synthesized, structured, and edited with the assistance of AI (~30%). All interpretations remain the responsibility of the author.
