The Indicator from Planet Money Why are fewer Americans working the night shift?
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Mar 6, 2026 They explore why far fewer Americans now work overnight shifts. Researchers trace a fifty-year shift from night to day work and who tends to take graveyard hours. Personal stories highlight pay premiums, tough schedules, and changing job opportunities as industries and education levels evolve.
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Welder John Chose Nights For Pay And Preference
- John Cloyd, a 26-year-old welder, prefers night shifts and starts work at 11 p.m. after waking at 8:30 p.m.
- He chose nights, works on LNG-related welding, and says night pay is about $2/hr higher than day shift.
Half Century Shift Away From Night Work
- Night work in the U.S. has declined sharply over 50 years, with some night hours showing about 25% fewer workers.
- Dan Hamermesh and Jeff Biddle used BLS and census data from 1973 onward to compare share of workers in 10 p.m.–5 a.m. hours.
Shrinking Supply Forces Higher Night Premiums
- Employers must pay higher night premiums as worker willingness for night declines with rising wealth and education.
- Hamermesh finds declining supply of night workers forces employers to raise pay differentials over time.