1 in 3 Workers Consider Quitting for Side Hustle

 According to FlexJobs' and Remote.co's Side Hustle & Financial Flexibility Report, 77% of respondents said they "frequently" (40%) or "occasionally" (37%) think about changing jobs for better financial opportunities. Released the survey revealed 41% of workers considered quitting or quit their job to pursue a side hustle full time, signaling the search for greater career agency and financial security among today's workforce.

Ahead of Financial Literacy Month in April, FlexJobs and Remote.co developed the survey and polled over 2,200 U.S. professionals between February 4 and 18, 2025, on their financial and career decisions amid remote work debates, layoffs, return-to-office (RTO) mandates, inflation fears, and economic uncertainty. HR Technology Insights: MIT Sloan: AI to Complement, Not Replace Workers

"Side hustles can be a profitable stream of income, but they require workers to have a solid financial foundation in place," said Toni Frana, Career Expert Manager at FlexJobs and Remote.co.

"With the career landscape rapidly changing and remote work remaining a top priority to the majority of workers, we're seeing professionals across experience levels actively seeking ways to improve their financial situation and work-life balance through highly strategic job moves, including freelancing and entrepreneurship," said Toni Frana, Career Expert Manager at FlexJobs and Remote.co. $100,000+ Salary Key Signifier of Financial Success The Side Hustle & Financial Flexibility Report found over half (51%) of respondents define financial success as earning a salary somewhere between $100,000 and $250,000 annually, while the remaining 49% said:

• $75,000 - $100,000 (26%)
• $250,000 - $500,000 (17%)
• $500,000 and above (6%)

When asked about the best way to increase their salary, 54% believe changing jobs is the more effective strategy, compared to 46% who would pursue a promotion within their current company. HR Technology Insights: 65 Percent of HR Leaders Say Power Is Shifting Back to Employers Among those seeking external positions, 77% stated they "frequently" (40%) or "occasionally" (37%) think about changing jobs for better financial opportunities. Comparatively, less than one-quarter (23%) said they "rarely" (17%) or "never" (6%) consider it. 41% Quit or Consider Quitting Day Job for Side Hustle FlexJobs and Remote.co's survey found the majority of respondents engage in side hustles to supplement their income. However, most prioritize financial security, requiring their side hustle to nearly match their current salary in order to leave their job.

• 61% said they have had (36%) or currently have (25%) a side hustle, suggesting the strong need for workers to supplement their primary income.
• Almost one-third (31%) have considered quitting their job to pursue a side hustle full time, with an additional 10% having already made the leap.
• However, 57% of respondents expressed that they need a side hustle to generate at least 75% of their current salary before leaving their full-time job.
• 22% said they would leave for 51-75% of their salary, 16% would quit for 25-50%, and only five percent would risk it for less than 25%.

"Side hustles can be a profitable stream of income, but they require workers to have a solid financial foundation in place," Frana said. "This Financial Literacy Month, we encourage workers to assess their risks, know the market, build a solid emergency fund, and create a detailed budget before they make the leap to a full-time side hustle." HR Technology Insights: Wolseley Canada Appoints Laureen Cushing VP of HR To participate in our interviews, please write to our HRTech Media Room at sudipto@intentamplify.com Source: PR Web