For some Americans, secretly working multiple full-time remote jobs isn’t a burden—it’s a path to financial freedom. Over the past two years, Business Insider has interviewed over two dozen “overemployed” workers, many in tech, who embrace long hours to achieve goals like paying off debt, saving for early retirement, or funding dream vacations and medical treatments. The trend took off during the pandemic when remote job opportunities surged.
Take Sarah, a 50-something IT professional from the Southeast, who’s set to earn $300,000 in 2025 by holding two remote jobs. Over recent years, her dual income has helped her save over $100,000 in her 401(k)s, clear $17,000 in credit card debt, and furnish her home. When one job ended in a layoff last year, the second provided a safety net, and she quickly landed another role. “I’ll keep this up until I retire,” Sarah told BI, requesting a pseudonym to protect her career. BI verified her identity but noted that job juggling can violate employment contracts and lead to termination—one boss BI spoke with fired an employee caught working a second job.
Overemployed workers shared their strategies for managing multiple roles discreetly. They block calendars, use separate devices, minimize meetings, and choose flexible jobs with minimal oversight to avoid detection. However, the practice isn’t without risks, including burnout, ethical debates, and professional consequences. Some readers question the morality, but many workers told BI they feel no guilt, as the financial rewards outweigh the downsides.
Lately, landing new remote gigs has grown tougher due to hiring freezes and return-to-office policies. Still, most overemployed workers plan to continue as long as possible, driven by the transformative impact on their finances.