The Rise of Side Jobs for Indonesian Professionals

Introduction to the Trend

In recent years, particularly over the last 15 years, there’s been a notable shift in the employment landscape in Indonesia. Many professionals and degree holders are increasingly taking on side jobs, driven largely by economic necessities and stagnant wages that fail to meet rising living costs. This trend, highlighted by data from the Kompas Daily’s Data Journalism Team, reveals that the number of side workers has skyrocketed by 69%, from 12.4 million in 2010 to an anticipated 21.1 million by 2025.

Understanding the Numbers

While the overall number of employed individuals has also seen a rise, increasing by 34% from 109 million in 2010 to 146.5 million in 2025, the rate at which side jobs are being adopted is significantly higher. This indicates that for many, simply relying on a primary job is no longer enough to sustain a decent lifestyle. The fact that the growth of individuals seeking supplemental income is happening at double the pace of the overall labor force growth highlights a pressing economic issue.

The Professional Landscape

Focusing on job positions, the increase in professionals who report having side jobs has been astounding—up 11.5 times over the same 15-year period, from 116,436 individuals to 1.35 million. This includes a diverse group of workers: scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, educators, and those in various administrative roles. Each of these demographics reflects the broader concerns regarding salary structures.

In fact, according to the Ministry of Manpower, professionals now include a wide array of occupations, illustrating how deep-seated these financial concerns run.

The Civil Service Situation

Even among state officials, there are indications that fixed incomes are insufficient. In the latest Sakernas data for 2025, approximately 6.43% of police and military personnel reported taking side jobs—a figure that shows a slight increase from previous years. Within administrative sectors, almost 17.3% of employees, totaling around 891,479, report similar employment situations.

This mirrors trends among civil servants, where 16.4% of individuals in government roles also juggle side jobs, emphasizing the growing need for financial relief in a fixed salary environment.

Real-Life Examples

Consider Nindya Adisti, a civil servant lecturer from Tarakan, who has been compelled to diversify her income streams due to insufficient earnings. After nine years in her role, her monthly salary stands at a mere Rp 3 million, often just enough to cover basic food expenses. To bridge the gap, she sells food and clothing and takes on tutoring roles. This precarious situation reflects what many professionals face—a reality where single income sources are not enough.

On the other hand, Muhammad Ihwan, a 27-year-old from Semarang, adds a delivery service venture to his existing role in customer service, recognizing that rising expenses are outpacing his salary increases.

Education vs. Income

Interestingly, educational background plays a substantial role in this trend. Those holding a diploma IV (D4) or bachelor’s degree are seeing the largest gains in side jobs. The numbers are projected to leap from 419,265 in 2010 to an astounding 1.87 million by 2025. Even those with master’s and doctoral degrees are making significant leaps, increasing to 154,452 by 2025—a 3.9 times increase.

This data suggests that despite higher education, many find their primary employment insufficient, necessitating additional work, which ideally should be avoided.

The Economic Reality Check

The financial landscape further complicates the situation, as wage increases have not kept pace with cost-of-living adjustments. In fact, per capita monthly expenditure is set to spike by an eye-popping 217.3% from 2010 to 2025, rising to Rp 1.56 million per person. Meanwhile, salary growth for workers with degrees remains stagnant—only a 20.2% increase for those holding master’s and doctorates compared to 87.3% for those holding lower degrees.

It is important to note that a majority of side job holders support two to three family members, adding pressure to maintain a stable income.

Comparisons to Other Nations

Examining the salary structures, a stark contrast emerges when comparing Indonesian salaries with those in neighboring countries. In urban areas, the average monthly salary for Indonesian workers sits around Rp 5.4 million, while the cost of living is significantly higher at Rp 7.3 million, meaning that salaries cover only 75% of basic living costs. This gap necessitates side jobs to fill the financial void—a situation that is sadly becoming commonplace not only in Indonesia but globally.

Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore demonstrate higher salary-to-living-cost ratios, making it clear that Indonesia’s wage structures need significant reform.

Conclusion

The rise of side jobs reflects deeper economic issues in Indonesia. It emphasizes how many professionals are grappling with stagnant wages and rising living costs. Understanding these trends is crucial in appreciating the evolving dynamics of the labor market and the necessity for systemic change in salary structures.