Business Brief
Why Austin's Gen Z is turning to side hustles
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
Gen Zers are navigating today's tough job market with side gigs, per a national poll — and those in Austin appear to be no exception, despite the state's sunnier jobs picture.
Why it matters: Younger people "want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder," Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao tells Axios.
By the numbers: Over half of Gen Z (57%) now have a side gig, compared to 21% of those who are baby boomers or older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them "America's first true 'side hustle' generation."
What we're hearing: "It definitely makes me feel more financially secure," says Katie Arce, who works full time in e-commerce and picks up shifts at a vintage clothing store in Austin.
- "I've always been passionate about vintage clothing," the 24-year-old tells Axios.
- At the store, she consigns her own clothes and shops with a discount.
Zoom in: Texas gained more jobs between November 2024 and November 2025 than any other state, federal data shows, even as that growth has slowed over the past few years.
- Its unemployment rate is 4.2%, below the national rate of 4.6%.
Between the lines: Most people are picking up side hustles for extra cash as economic uncertainty grows, Zhao says.
- Some are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. "For Gen Z, the day job funds the passion project," Glassdoor researchers wrote in an August report.
- Meanwhile, AI and other tech advances have made it easier for professionals to monetize their skills and passions.
State of play: Workers nationwide feel anxious right now. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, while those with them aren't seeing the career growth they expect, Zhao says.
- College students' financial optimism has fallen to the lowest level since tracking began in 2018 — largely due to concerns about unemployment and "AI-induced layoffs," Morning Consult survey data shows.
Reality check: Plenty of younger people still aspire to climb the corporate ranks.
- The share of Gen Z entering management is similar to previous generations when they were the same age, a 2024 Glassdoor analysis found.
My thought bubble: In Austin, several friends have picked up side gigs as group fitness instructors — not just for the money, but for personal growth, social connection and perks like discounted classes.
The bottom line: Young adults are "redefining success by prioritizing independence, flexibility and purpose alongside ambition," Citizens Bank's Chris Powell tells Axios.
- Two-thirds of adults under 34 have "pursued an entrepreneurial venture," including nearly a quarter doing work outside their primary job, Citizens research shows.