For Jordanna Egan, making a living in South Florida means working two jobs.
By day, Egan teaches third grade at Tropical Elementary School in Broward County. After school, she heads to Vignetos Italian Grill in Plantation, where she waits tables, serves drinks and makes salads.
Her workdays can stretch from the early morning until late at night.
“I’m teaching, I get there around 7:15 in the morning, and we work until 3:25,” Egan said. “Get here to Vignetos about 3:45 p.m. to begin my shift. I’m here until anywhere between like 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.”
The schedule can mean working about 65 hours a week.
For Egan, the second job became a financial necessity a few years ago as her children entered high school and her household expenses increased.
“So, the reality is, if I want to continue to live comfortably, I have to have that second income, because $55,000 for 20 years of teaching isn’t enough to pay the bills in South Florida,” Egan said.
Multiple-job workers on the rise
Egan’s experience reflects a broader challenge facing South Florida residents as the cost of housing, groceries, transportation, and other necessities continues to put pressure on household budgets.
A 2026 analysis from financial services company SmartAsset found that a single adult in the Miami area needs to earn about $108,077 a year to live comfortably. A family of four needs an estimated $231,130 in annual income, according to the report.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s population survey estimates the number of people in Miami-Dade with multiple jobs more than doubled – when comparing August 2025 to August 2026. Nationally, more than 8 million Americans are working multiple jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That represents more than 5% of the working population.
The increase comes as consumers continue to feel the effects of higher prices.
Consumer prices have increased significantly since 2020, with prices for goods and services in major U.S. metropolitan areas rising roughly 24%, according to data from the Consumer Price Index.
Personal finance expert Kimberly Palmer of NerdWallet said many consumers will cut expenses before turning to a side gig for additional income.
“OK, what are some creative ways I can grow my income?” Palmer said. “That’s where people look for side hustles.”
A second job comes with a cost
For Egan, the additional income helps provide financial security. But the extra work also comes with a physical and emotional toll.
“The worst part is when your feet hurt at night,” Egan said.
Financial security is a trade-off she says she shouldn’t have to make.
“Every year my student data is through the roof. I’m very good at my job,” Egan said. “I shouldn’t have to have a second job to afford to live in the area where my school is.”
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