Last month’s September job report reveals a positive trend in the American economy, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 254,000 new jobs were added last month, with the September unemployment rate dropping by 0.1% from August’s 4.2%. Additionally, the overall number of unemployed persons fell to 6.2 million from 7.1 million. Specifically for women, September saw the unemployment rate for adult women drop from 3.7% to 3.6%.
However, statistics are not everything, and significant gaps in the American economy have led more women to take on additional jobs—juggling side hustles to make ends meet. The director of the Center for Economic Opportunity at Independent Women’s Forum, Patrice Onwuka, stated, “Over half a million more workers are holding multiple jobs than at this time last year. Women, even more than men, are taking on additional work or juggling side hustles to make ends meet. Jobs growth feels less positive if Americans are forced to take on a second job just to afford rent, utilities, medicine, and groceries because one job is not enough.”
When examining the industries that have experienced the most job growth, women are concentrated in jobs with greater instability and lower paychecks such as the food and beverage industry. The inflation and affordability crisis has resulted in more women taking on additional jobs. Compared to their male counterparts, 6% of women hold multiple jobs, while only 4.7% of men currently hold more than one job.
Each month, Americans remain under severe economic pressure to afford basic necessities and provide for their families. Inflation has increased to 19.3% since President Biden took office, and real wages have risen to only 16.1%, meaning that American families have suffered a pay cut, prompting many American women to search for a second job to make ends meet.
On paper, September’s job report shows a positive trend for America’s economy. However, below the surface, American women are disproportionately juggling multiple jobs and are working in industries that don’t provide high job security or competitive wages.