Even potato-chip tasters are temporary in the economy of 2026 — there’s nearly 57 million of these ‘disposable workers’

In the economy of 2026, it is evident that disposable jobs are prevalent. A labor economist's new book reveals that over half of the nation's workforce, nearly 57 million workers, are classified as disposable. These workers do not have job security or career prospects, as their employers treat them as temporary resources.

Three categories of disposable workers have been identified: contractors, freelancers, and marginal workers. Contractors, employed by staffing firms, make up 13% of the workforce and are typically poorly paid. Freelancers, who work for companies without being employees, represent 5% of the workforce. Marginal workers, lacking career opportunities and facing high turnover, account for 17% of the workforce.

Marginal workers can be found in various professions, such as staff attorneys, adjunct professors, and part-time employees. Staff attorneys are hired by law firms but have no promotion opportunities. Adjunct professors teach a limited number of courses and lack job security. Part-time workers are more prevalent due to their lower cost, higher turnover, and ease of workforce adjustment for employers.

The trend towards disposable workers has been exacerbated by the Affordable Care Act, which incentivized employers to add part-time workers to reduce health insurance costs. This shift in employment structure has significant implications for workers' rights, job security, and overall societal well-being.