A majority of Australians are considering taking on a second job or side hustle, according to new research.

Global recruitment firm Robert Walters found 70 per cent of Australian professionals are considering or already working a second job.

In a survey of 2000 people, 90 per cent said they were concerned their salary alone wouldn’t be enough to cover their yearly expenses.

“As cost-of-living pressures rise, we’re seeing more professionals explore second jobs, side gigs, or even interstate relocation in pursuit of financial stability,” Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, said.

“While work-life balance was once a priority, today it’s clear that salary has retaken centre stage.

“People simply can’t afford to stay in roles that don’t pay enough to keep up with their lives.”

The concern surrounding wages has also sparked a wave of interstate migration.

Up to 54 per cent of Australians have considered relocating interstate for better pay, cheaper housing and different career options, the study found.

“The decision of where to live is no longer just a matter of preference; it has become a strategic decision driven by financial pressures,” Peters said.

“Choosing a place where one can earn a competitive income without spending most of it on daily living expenses will be a pivotal factor in these moves.”

The study also broke down which states were the most unsatisfied with their salary.

In NSW, 90 per cent of participants said their pay did not match their cost of living.

In Victoria, 84 per cent reported similar concerns.

In Queensland, 83 per cent of participants said they were not satisfied with their salary growth.

In Western Australia, 80 per cent of participants said they had salary concerns.

The research is a “wake-up call” for employers, Peters said.

”This is a warning bell for businesses,” Peters said.

“If salaries don’t reflect the realities of today’s economy, companies will lose skilled talent – either to better-paying roles, second jobs, or to other states.”