U.S. Olympians earn just 5% of what Singapore pays—many are forced to juggle jobs as baristas, brokers, and dentists just to get by

The surprising day jobs of 15 US Olympians, from a clown to a dentist

Lea Ann Parsley with Lake Placid firefighters.Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesMany Olympians juggle elite training with full-time careers to make the finances work.From lab techs to firefighters, these athletes built surprising parallel professions.Some are already preparing for life after sport, earning advanced degrees while chasing medals.To the world, the Olympics may look like a full-time job, but for many athletes, it's a second one."I have two full…

U.S. Olympians earn just 5% of what Singapore pays—many are forced to juggle jobs as baristas, brokers, and dentists just to get by

While it may feel safe to assume Olympic athletes rake in the dough much like other celebrities and public figures, the reality is that many of them hold on to several jobs just to make ends meet. The athletes who represent the $2 billion global spectacle often take home at most tens of thousands of dollars, and many earn nothing directly from competing.  Plus, the cost of training for the Olympics can range from tens of thousands of dollars a y…