Gen Xer earns $300,000 working two remote IT jobs

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Sarah, a Gen Xer in her 50s, is on track to earn $300,000 this year by secretly working two full-time remote IT jobs. 

Despite the long 12-hour days, she says the extra workload is worth it for the financial stability and job security it provides. “I want to ride this out until I retire,” Sarah, who spoke under a pseudonym due to fears of professional repercussions, told the Business Insider.

Sarah’s routine is demanding: she works from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for an East Coast employer, then shifts to a West Coast job from noon to 8 p.m. ET. 

The overlap between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. is the most intense, but she’s learned to manage the pressure. “There is a level of stress because I am connected from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” she said.

Financial gains outweigh downsides

Sarah’s strategy has paid off. Since she began juggling two jobs in early 2021, she’s saved over $100,000 in her 401(k), paid off $17,000 in credit card debt, and furnished her home. The financial benefits, she says, outweigh the sacrifices, which include less time and energy for her family and hobbies.

The security of dual employment became clear when she was laid off from one job last December. “It really gave me a sense of security, knowing that I had another job,” she explained. By February, she had secured a new second job, restoring her dual-income status.

Managing burnout 

To avoid burnout, Sarah rewards herself for her hard work—whether it’s traveling with her family, watching TV, or splurging on clothes and spa days. “Having something to look forward to is a great motivator,” she said. 

Still, she acknowledges the trade-off: “Working 12-hour days means giving up time I might otherwise spend with my family or on my hobbies.”

Return-to-office mandates haven’t derailed her arrangement yet. One employer’s contract specifies remote work, and Sarah says she would quit if required to return to the office. 

“There’s a need to have me there,” she said. “I told them that if I ever had to come in, I probably would quit.”

Looking ahead, Sarah plans to continue her job-juggling strategy as long as possible, confident she can find new remote work if needed. “I will do what I need to do to get the work done,” she said.

Polyworking: A lucrative strategy

Polyworking, a trend in which individuals manage multiple concurrent jobs rather than relying solely on a primary source of income, is reshaping the professional landscape. 

Brian (not his real name), a Gen X worker who earns $150,000 annually by secretly working multiple remote jobs, says the grueling 100-hour weeks are worth it to ensure his family’s financial stability.

Another Gen Xer known as Harrison has leveraged the flexibility of remote work involving six full-time jobs, aiming to net about $800,000 this year. By outsourcing much of his workload, he balances multiple roles, increasing both his income and job security. 

Meanwhile, a millennial from the New York tri-state area, known as Charles, has successfully juggled multiple remote jobs as a consumer product professional in his 30s, accumulating over $300,000 in 2021, and maintaining a six-figure income since.

Similarly, Damien, a millennial in the Mountain West, expects to earn around $368,000 this year by working three full-time remote IT jobs. Despite his high income, he feels no guilt or loyalty toward his employers.