Otherwise, since living in Key West is expensive, most residents have to hustle hard to make ends meet. Most of the jobs are in the tourism or service industries, which either don't pay very well and/or are just part-time, so a lot of folks work two or three jobs.

The economy of Key West is heavily dominated by the tourism and hospitality industry, which employs the vast majority of the local population. People work as charter boat captains, reef snorkeling guides, bartenders, and hotel managers, catering to the millions of visitors who arrive by cruise ship and car each year. Beyond tourism, there is a significant military presence, with the Naval Air Station Key West providing many civilian and federal jobs. The commercial fishing industry, once the island's backbone, still thrives with specialists in pink shrimp, spiny lobster, and stone crab. There is also a vibrant community of artists and writers who sustain the island’s bohemian reputation, alongside a growing sector of "remote workers" who have moved to the island for its lifestyle while working in tech or finance. Construction and real estate also provide steady employment, as the limited land area makes property management and renovation highly lucrative. Despite its "laid-back" island image, the cost of living is high, so many residents often work multiple jobs within the service and maritime sectors to maintain their residency in paradise.