I work on this every single day. Writing, applying, learning, checking numbers.
Some days feel like progress. Other days just feel tired.
I found out I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Some mornings I wake up wondering if I’m just postponing failure with better intentions. But then I remember that 65% of people doing this also feel burned out, which means the burnout isn’t proof I’m doing it wrong — it’s just proof I’m doing it.
The Penny Hoarder asked 1,000 Americans with side hustles how they feel. This was a real survey, done in February 2026.
The number that hit me hardest: 65% of them feel burned out, at least sometimes. Only 10% never feel it.
That’s most people. Not just me.
Related struggle: I Cut My Coffee, Dessert, and DoorDash
| Side Hustle Experience | Percentage | Survey Details | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feel Burned Out (at least sometimes) | 65% | Majority experience | The Penny Hoarder | Feb 2026 |
| Never Feel Burned Out | 10% | Small minority | The Penny Hoarder | Feb 2026 |
| Struggle Without Extra Income | 53% | Rely on side income for basics | The Penny Hoarder | Feb 2026 |
| Feel “Somewhat” Secure About Money | 44% | Limited financial security | The Penny Hoarder | Feb 2026 |
| Survey Sample Size | 1,000 Americans | Side hustlers only | The Penny Hoarder | Feb 2026 |
Side Hustle Time & Income:
| Metric | Amount | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Average Weekly Time | 13 hours | Ongoing weekly investment |
| Annual Hours | 676 hours | Equal to 17 extra full work weeks |
| Average Monthly Income | $1,275 | Reported by survey respondents |
Here’s another number that matters. 53% say they’d struggle to pay for basic things without this extra income. For a lot of people, this isn’t a hobby. It’s survival.
The average person spends 13 hours a week on their side hustle. That’s 676 hours a year. That’s like 17 extra full work weeks, stacked on top of everything else.
This reality: I Used to Live Paycheck to Paycheck
I believe every hour of that. Some weeks, I’ve put in more than that. And I still haven’t made a single dollar yet.
That’s the scariest part. Every hour of work without income feels like validation that this won’t work. But 53% of people are also relying on side income just to survive — so most of us are building this out of necessity, not choice.
I want to be honest with you. The average side hustler in that survey makes about $1,275 a month. I’m not there. Not close, not yet.
But I hold on to one thing: real people do get there. After real time. After real effort.
Even then, only 44% feel “somewhat” secure about money. Not fully secure. Just somewhat.
So maybe the hard part never fully goes away. It just changes shape.
If you’re building something from zero right now, and some days feel pointless, you are not doing it wrong.
You’re doing exactly what 65% of people are also going through.
Are you pushing through tiredness on something that hasn’t paid off yet? What keeps you going on the hard days?
Understand the numbers: 45% of Americans Have a Side Hustle Now
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or career advice. Side hustle income, time investment, and burnout experiences vary by individual and by business type. Consult with a qualified financial advisor or mental health professional if work-related stress is impacting your wellbeing.