The number of Nebraskans working second jobs increased by nearly 5,300 people between 2019 and 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels while, across the country, the number of individuals who hold multiple jobs has only reached the 2019 levels.
That’s the finding of a report from the Omaha Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City that looks at employment in the state, which has had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, just 2.7% for the past five months.
But sorting out exactly what that statistic means is complicated because there are multiple reasons why people take on a second job.
The average multiple-place worker in Nebraska puts in about 51 hours per week, compared to 38 hours a week for individuals employed at one place, an indicator that the study’s authors suggest that multiple-place workers aren’t simply seeking full-time equivalence.
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Rather, they are trying to make ends meet in Nebraska’s historically low-wage, underemployment economy.
"Despite working multiple jobs for longer-than-average hours, those holding more than one job have earned less on average per week than those with only one job," the study found. "In fact, in Nebraska, average wages for those with only one job were higher than those working more than one job every year since 2000."
The study’s economists suggest financial difficulties may be the driver for some families. It also should suggest that the state should encourage or incentivize employers to hire full-time workers and to increase pay above the minimum wage.
Others, however, take second jobs for different reasons.
Many immigrants, particularly from Latin America, work as much as they can to earn money to send home, making ends meet internationally.
And there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence of workers taking second jobs to maintain or upscale a lifestyle — e.g. want a new truck? Put in a few extra hours at a second job to cover the payment.
It could also, Eric Thompson, director of the Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln told the Journal Star, be reflective of a hardworking culture.
"It could be Nebraskans have a greater-than-average taste for work than other parts of the country," Thompson said. "Or, maybe there's less to do around here, so you're giving up less when you're working."
The “less to do around here” is not the most flattering view of Nebraska, but it could indeed be another reason for working second jobs. And if that’s the case, more power to those who want to fill their time and, beneficially for all, economic gaps at a second job.
