The Indicator from Planet Money

Why are fewer Americans working the night shift?

March 6, 2026

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  • There has been a significant 50-year shift in the U.S. workforce away from night work toward daytime work, according to research by Dan Hammermasch and Jeff Biddle. 
  • The primary driver behind the decline in night shifts is the increased level of education among American workers, as those with degrees have better job opportunities that typically occur during daytime hours. 
  • Night shift work is generally considered undesirable, leading employers to offer a pay premium, though this premium is smaller in the U.S. compared to countries with mandated nighttime pay, attributed partly to lower unionization rates. 

Segments

Jobs Friday Data Release
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(00:00:13)
  • Key Takeaway: The February economy lost 92,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, with prior months’ data also revised downward.
  • Summary: The latest Jobs Friday data showed the economy shed 92,000 jobs in February, pushing the unemployment rate up to 4.4%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised December and January data, indicating 69,000 fewer jobs were added than initially reported. The Indicator from Planet Money focuses on when workers are working, specifically looking at the night shift.
Introduction to Night Shift Worker
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(00:01:23)
  • Key Takeaway: John Cloyd, a 26-year-old welder, prefers the night shift because he is naturally a night owl and wants to utilize his awake hours productively.
  • Summary: John Cloyd works as a welder in the natural gas industry, starting his shift at 11 p.m. He prefers this schedule because he naturally stays up late on weekends. His example illustrates a worker who actively chooses the third shift.
Decline in Graveyard Shifts
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(00:01:44)
  • Key Takeaway: Economic research confirms a substantial decline in the share of U.S. workers on the graveyard shift over the last 50 years.
  • Summary: New economic research highlights a transformation in the American workforce characterized by a shrinking proportion of third-shift workers. This decline is estimated to be 25% or more for certain hours between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Working at night is inferred to be generally undesirable based on worker demographics.
Night Work Undesirability Factors
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(00:04:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Night work is generally undesirable because those who perform it are disproportionately low-educated, very young, or quite old, suggesting it is avoided by those at their peak earning power.
  • Summary: Data suggests night work is undesirable because the demographic profile of night workers skews toward those who are not in their prime earning years or lack higher education. While some professions like nursing require 24/7 coverage, the general trend shows a preference for daytime hours.
Night Shift Pay Premium
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(00:05:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Night shifts typically pay a premium of about $2 per hour more than day shifts, a premium employers have had to increase as worker willingness to work nights has decreased.
  • Summary: John Cloyd earns $2 more per hour for working the night shift as a welder. Economist Dan Hammermasch notes that employers must increase this premium to entice workers when the general willingness to work at night declines with increasing wealth.
Structural Economic Shifts
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(00:06:20)
  • Key Takeaway: The shift from manufacturing (27% of workers in 1973 to 13% now) and the massive increase in college degrees (16% in 1973 to 46% today) are key factors causing the night work decline.
  • Summary: The transformation of the U.S. economy away from manufacturing and toward services contributes to fewer night shifts. More significantly, the rise in educational attainment means more workers have better daytime job opportunities, leading them to avoid undesirable night hours.
Hospital Transport Worker Perspective
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(00:06:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Summer Crawford, a hospital transport worker, finds the night shift physically taxing and hopes her current job is temporary while she trains to become an ultrasound technician for daytime work.
  • Summary: Summer Crawford works the night shift moving patients in a busy trauma hospital, noting that days off are difficult due to sleep disruption. Although the night shift offers a small pay differential, she is actively pursuing a daytime career path. She emphasizes that workers prioritize better schedules over higher nighttime pay when possible.
Labor Market Dynamics
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(00:08:17)
  • Key Takeaway: American workers prioritize desirable schedules, often willing to accept slightly lower wages to secure daytime hours, and lower unionization rates contribute to smaller nighttime pay differentials.
  • Summary: Unlike some countries where night pay is legally mandated, the U.S. labor market relies on supply and demand, resulting in smaller pay premiums for undesirable hours. Workers value schedule quality—like safety or being present for family drop-offs—enough to trade off some wages for a daytime shift.