We hear it all the time: “The middle class is disappearing.”
And that’s not just a feeling — the data backs it up.
In 1971, 61% of U.S. adults lived in middle-income households. As of 2021, that number has dropped to just 50%, according to Pew Research Center. The traditional path to the middle class — go to college, get a good job, stay there for 30 years — isn’t delivering like it used to. Wages are stagnant, costs are up, and job security isn’t what it was a generation ago.
But here’s the part we don’t talk about enough:
It’s not that opportunity has vanished. It’s that most people haven’t realigned to where the opportunity is now.
The White-Collar Bottleneck
There are fewer clerical and entry-level white-collar roles today than there were even 15 years ago. Brookings Institution reports that employment in routine white-collar jobs — clerical, administrative, and similar positions — declined by over 18% between 2000 and 2020.
But the supply of people trying to land those roles? Bigger than ever.
- Everyone’s trying to get into the same narrow funnel of “safe” jobs.
- Many of those jobs require a degree, offer long hours, and are highly competitive.
- The people who do land them often earn well — but they’re also burning out.
What we’re seeing is a crowded, over-leveraged race to a shrinking pool of traditional office jobs. That’s not a recipe for rebuilding the middle class.
Meanwhile, There’s a Wide-Open Lane
Here’s what I’ve seen in my own life:
You can make solid, consistent money doing things that white-collar workers either don’t want to do, don’t have time for, or are intimidated by.
I’m talking about things like:
- Pressure washing
- Lawn care
- Cleaning services
- Junk removal
- Minor home repair
- Tech setup or tutoring for seniors
These are not glamorous jobs. But they’re:
- In constant demand
- Low-barrier to entry
- High-margin when run well
- Flexible and scalable
Angi’s 2023 Skilled Trades Report found that 77% of tradespeople are seeing more demand than supply in their industry. The Home Builders Institute warns that the U.S. could be short over 500,000 skilled trades workers by 2025 if current trends continue.
And here’s the kicker: average rates for solo pressure washing businesses can range from $100 to $300 per hour, depending on region and service type. Meanwhile, LendingTree reports side hustle earners working 10-20 hours per week average about $810 per month in extra income.
The people hiring these services? Often busy upper-middle-class professionals who are happy to pay someone else to handle the work.
This is a massive blind spot for many stuck chasing traditional “good jobs.”
They’re overlooking today’s real income opportunities because they’re still chasing yesterday’s map.
Why the Middle Class Is Shrinking — For Now
It’s shrinking not just because of inflation or policy — but because a lot of people haven’t pivoted.
They haven’t:
- Realized there are new, low-friction ways to earn solid income
- Let go of outdated status ideas around what “counts” as a good job
- Taken advantage of the fact that in-demand skills now include not just coding or finance — but showing up on time with a pressure washer or toolbox
According to a 2023 Indeed Career Change Survey, 62% of American workers say they’re considering a career change, but only 29% feel confident about what to pursue next.
So yes — statistically, the middle class is shrinking.
But there’s a pathway back.
And it doesn’t always start with a resume. Sometimes, it starts with a service and a side hustle.
Bottom Line
You don’t need permission to start earning differently. You need alignment.
The next wave of financial freedom won’t be handed out by HR departments — it’ll be built by people willing to do the work others avoid, price it well, and show up reliably.
The middle class may be shrinking.
But you don’t have to shrink with it.
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