Key Takeaways
- 57% of Gen Z report having at least one side hustle or additional income stream
- 62% believe side hustles are the new normal and part of Gen Z’s work identity
- 28% of Gen Z side hustlers report that what used to be a hobby is now a source of income
- 29% Gen Zers manage three or more active income sources simultaneously
- $9,800 is the average annual side hustle income among Gen Z
- $38,000 is currently the income ceiling for top Gen Z side hustle earners
- 64% of Gen Z say their side hustle is powered by AI or automation tools
- 24% Gen Zers use generative AI for content creation, design, or marketing automation
- 46% of Gen Z say side hustles help reduce financial stress
- 44% of all Gen Z responders admit to higher burnout levels
Today's economic situation is making it extremely difficult to afford a comfortable life, so Gen Z is turning to side hustles and AI-powered work.
EssayPro.com’s research team surveyed 2,500 Gen Z professionals aged 18 to 27 to explore trends in work. The study aimed to uncover why Gen Z engages in side hustles and uses AI, how much time they devote to it, and the financial, emotional, and technological factors driving this behavior.
Gen Z Outpaces Millennials in Side Hustles
For Millennials, freelancing was romanticized through media and wasn’t generally viewed as a reliable way to make money. Now, many Gen Zs consider freelancing or gigs their primary income source.
- 57% of Gen Z report at least one side hustle, compared to 52% of millennials
- 29% of Gen Z responders manage three or more income sources simultaneously
- 14% Gen Zers consider freelance or creator work their main source of income
Financial Impact
Gig mentality is a crucial part of financial survival for Gen Z.
- $9,800 per year is currently the average Gen Z side hustle income
- $38,000 annually was reported as the maximum income by top-earning Gen Z side hustlers
Many Gen Zers work in digital marketing, design, tech, content creation, e-commerce, and AI-driven consulting, using online platforms and automation tools to reach clients and scale their work independently.
Why Gen Z Hustles
Beyond financial motives, Gen Zers pursue side hustles for self-expression and creative freedom. Many see gigs as a way to build new skills or personal brands, using each project to gain experience and visibility in competitive industries. And a smaller group of responders values the flexibility and sense of control that side hustles provide compared to traditional jobs.
- 48% of Gen Zs hustle for financial security
- 25% of Gen Z pursue side hustles for self-expression and creative freedom.
- 21% Gen Zs side hustle to build new skills or personal brands.
- 6% of Gen Z see gigs as a key to flexible work-life balance.
AI and Digital Tools
Across TikTok and Reddit, guides like “How I built my startup with ChatGPT in a week” reflect how deeply AI is woven into Gen Z’s work culture. For many, these tools aren’t replacing jobs. They’re creating them.
Gen Z is treating AI as a business partner, not a threat. Instead of fearing automation, young professionals are using it to launch micro-startups, scale side hustles, and streamline creative work. This mindset shift coined a new term, AI solopreneur, a one-person business powered by a virtual team of bots and automation tools.
- 1 in 3 Gen Zers earns money using AI tools in design, content, and microservices
- 24% of Gen Z rely on generative AI like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Runway to boost creativity
- 27% of all Gen Z responders automate repetitive tasks using AI
Stress and Burnout
Gen Z’s hustle culture comes with a clear paradox: while side hustles often ease financial stress, they also create new forms of emotional strain. And for more than half of Gen Z responders, the pleasure of pursuing hobbies is spoiled by the pressure to monetize.
- 61% of Gen Z feel societal pressure to monetize hobbies
- 44% Gen Z side hustlers report burnout or exhaustion
- 35% Gen Zs say they’re coping but stretched thin
- 16% of all Gen Z responders manage to stay balanced
- 5% Gen Zs feel that multitasking that comes with side hustles improves their focus and productivity
- 19% Gen Zers admit side hustles hurt their day job performance
Gender Distribution
Despite different interests, the surveyed genders share a desire for financial freedom and autonomy.
- 67% of Gen Z non-binary individuals have a side hustle
- 63% of Gen Z women have at least one side hustle, mostly in creative or media fields
- 42% of Gen Z men do, primarily in tech, gaming, or hands-on work
Career Outlook
Gen Z is moving away from traditional career paths and building networked, multi-income identities instead. Many combine freelance work, small businesses, and creative projects, often using platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Etsy, and Fiverr to turn their skills into income.
- 62% of Gen Z view side hustling as a sustainable long-term model
- 28% Gen Zs prefer a traditional single-job path for stability
- 10% of Gen Z responders remain undecided or flexible
- 9% of Gen Z reported that their primary income depends on algorithmic engagement, such as views, CPM, and other platform metrics
Global and European Context
Gen Z side hustles are thriving beyond North America, with Germany, the UK, and France leading in the multi-income segment. Here are the key research findings for major European markets.
- 49% of European Gen Zers report at least one side hustle
- 56% of German Gen Zers actively maintain multiple income streams (highest in Europe)
- 51% of Gen Zs in the UK have at least one side hustle
- 43% of French Gen Zers manage at least one side hustle
- 38% of Gen Zs in Denmark maintain at least one side hustle
- 28% European Gen Z report using AI to scale their side gigs
- 9% of Gen Zs in Europe say their side hustle has already replaced their full-time income
- 35% of European Gen Zers earn over €10,000 (approximately $11,500) annually from their side hustles
- 32% of Dutch Gen Z claim their side hustles improve their mental health due to flexibility and self-direction
- 42% of European side hustlers pursue multiple income streams for financial security
- 33% of Gen Zs in Europe see gigs as a way to develop skills.
Conclusion
EssayPro's survey provides a comprehensive analysis of current side hustle trends among Gen Z. Side hustles offer significant financial opportunities, yet juggling multiple income streams carries the risk of burnout.
Gen Z views side hustles as a sustainable long-term strategy to achieve financial stability while also exploring personal passions and building diverse skill sets. However, Gen Z must consider the impact of side hustles on work-life balance and mental health, especially given the pressures to monetize hobbies and perform across multiple platforms.
Overall, side hustles reflect a generational shift toward flexible, networked, and technology-driven careers that blend creativity, entrepreneurship, and financial ambition.
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Nala Fox
Nala Fox is the Chief Human Resources Officer at EssayPro, with deep expertise in strategic leadership, organizational culture, talent acquisition, and employee well-being. With a forward-thinking approach to HR, Nala drives initiatives that promote inclusivity, engagement, and long-term professional growth. Under her leadership, EssayPro has implemented programs addressing employee burnout, enhancing productivity, and fostering a balanced, people-centered workplace where innovation and collaboration thrive.
