September 12, 2000 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

When one job isn't enough

More than 8-1/2 million workers held two or more jobs in May 1997. Four out of ten did so to meet regular household expenses or to pay off debts.

Reasons for working more than one job, May 1997
[Chart data—TXT]

Other common reasons included enjoying work on the second job, wanting to save for the future, wanting to get experience or build up a business, and wanting some extra money to buy something special.

These data are from a supplement to the Current Population Survey. For additional information on reasons for multiple jobholding read "When one job is not enough," Issues in Labor Statistics (PDF 33K) (Summary 00-15).