7 Side Hustles for Physicians to Create Additional Income in 2025

The healthcare field is always changing, and many doctors are looking for ways to make more money. Side hustles can give you rewarding opportunities outside of your regular clinical practice, whether you want to make more money, have more freedom, or face new professional challenges.

Doctors in 2025 have more ways than ever to make extra money because of new technologies, changing patient needs, and a growing digital economy. Here are seven side jobs that are perfect for medical professionals, along with information on how much money you could make, how much time you would need to put in, and other important things to think about.

Expanding Opportunities in Telemedicine

Telemedicine has transformed the way healthcare is delivered, and it remains one of the most accessible and lucrative side hustles for physicians. Virtual consultations enable doctors to reach a broader patient base while maintaining flexible hours.

Potential Earnings & Time Commitment

Considerations Before Getting Started:

• Licensing regulations vary by state, and physicians must ensure they meet all legal requirements.
• Asynchronous telehealth, such as messaging-based consultations, offers an alternative to live video calls with more flexibility.
• Establishing a niche in high-demand areas such as mental health, weight management, or sleep medicine can improve profitability.

Medical Consulting: Sharing Expertise Beyond the Clinic

Physicians possess specialized knowledge that is valuable to companies, law firms, and healthcare organizations. Consulting provides an opportunity to apply medical expertise in non-clinical settings, often with significant financial upside.

Consulting Opportunities for Physicians

• Expert Witness Services: Providing medical opinions in legal cases, with compensation typically ranging from $300–$500 per hour.
• Pharmaceutical & Biotech Consulting: Advising companies on drug development, clinical trials, and regulatory compliance.
• Medical Technology & AI Development: Offering insights to startups and corporations designing healthcare applications and medical devices.

Medical Writing & Digital Content Creation

Healthcare professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute valuable content to medical journals, news platforms, and online education resources. Writing and content creation can be both financially and professionally rewarding.

Ways to Generate Income Through Medical Content:

• Freelance Writing: Physicians can earn between $0.50–$2.00 per word writing for reputable health publications.
• Educational Blogging: A well-established medical blog can be monetized through sponsorships, advertisements, and affiliate partnerships.
• Video & Podcast Production: Physicians can create engaging educational content, sharing medical insights, wellness advice, or industry trends.

Real Estate Investment as a Passive Income Stream

Real estate remains a reliable way to build wealth, and physicians have the financial stability to invest in properties or real estate-backed securities.

Investment Strategies & Expected Returns

Factors to Consider

• Rental properties require management and maintenance, though hiring a property manager can minimize direct involvement.
• REITs provide a passive alternative with lower returns but reduced risks.
• House flipping offers high potential gains but requires significant time, effort, and market expertise.

Coaching & Online Education: Turning Knowledge Into Revenue

Many physicians have accumulated knowledge and experience that can benefit students, residents, and even fellow practitioners. By developing educational programs or coaching services, physicians can create an additional income stream while helping others succeed.

Areas Where Physicians Can Offer Coaching

• Medical Career Advising: Assisting students and residents with medical school applications, board exams, and career planning.
• Financial Education for Physicians: Teaching personal finance, debt management, and investing strategies specific to medical professionals.
• Continuing Medical Education (CME) Courses: Developing accredited courses on specialized topics within medicine.

With online learning platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Coursera, physicians can sell digital courses to a global audience, generating passive income.

Medical Product Innovation & Development

Physicians often identify gaps in existing medical tools and treatments, making them well-suited for developing new products or healthcare solutions. Whether it’s designing a medical device, creating an innovative health app, or launching a wellness product, physicians have unique insights that can drive meaningful advancements.

Steps to Bring a Medical Product to Market:

1. Identify an Unmet Need: Evaluate pain points in patient care or inefficiencies in medical workflows.
2. Collaborate with Experts: Work with engineers, developers, or biotech specialists to refine the idea.
3. Secure Funding: Apply for research grants, connect with venture capital firms, or explore crowdfunding options.
4. Navigate Regulatory Approval: Understand FDA requirements and seek appropriate patents before launching.

The financial potential varies significantly, with some physician-led startups scaling to multi-million-dollar businesses.

Locum Tenens Work: Flexibility & Competitive Pay

Physicians looking for a side hustle that closely aligns with their primary profession may find locum tenens work appealing. Short-term assignments at hospitals and clinics offer flexibility while often paying higher hourly rates than permanent positions.

Advantages of Locum Tenens Work

• Competitive Compensation: Many assignments offer 30–50% higher hourly rates than full-time salaried roles.
• Flexible Scheduling: Physicians choose when and where they want to work.
• Diverse Experience: Exposure to different healthcare environments can enhance clinical skills and career growth.

However, locum work requires adjusting to new teams, administrative systems, and potentially frequent travel. Physicians considering this path should evaluate their willingness to adapt to changing work environments.

Final Thoughts

As the healthcare industry changes, doctors have more and more chances to make extra money outside of their regular practice. Each choice has its own pros and cons, whether it’s telemedicine, consulting, making digital content, investing in real estate, or making products.

When doctors think about starting a side business, they should think about how much time it will take, how much money they could make, and how long it will last. Doctors can make more money, be happier at work, and have more freedom in 2025 and beyond by using their medical knowledge in new and creative ways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best side hustles for doctors in 2025?

Top side hustles include telemedicine, medical consulting, digital content creation, real estate investment, online education, product development, and locum tenens work.

How much can a doctor earn from telemedicine?

Telemedicine platforms typically offer $40–$200 per hour depending on specialty, platform, and experience. Flexible scheduling allows doctors to work part-time or in off-hours.

Is medical consulting a realistic side job for physicians?

Yes. Doctors can earn $300–$500 per hour by consulting in legal cases, biotech development, or digital health innovation. It’s a high-paying, non-clinical use of medical expertise.

Can doctors make money by writing or creating content?

Absolutely. Physicians can earn $0.50–$2.00 per word through freelance medical writing. Blogs, podcasts, and videos can also generate income via ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.

Is real estate a good passive income source for doctors?

Yes. Rental properties, REITs, and house flipping can generate returns of 4–25% annually, depending on the strategy and risk level. Physicians with stable income can scale faster.

What platforms can doctors use to sell online courses?

Popular platforms include Teachable, Udemy, Coursera, and Kajabi. Doctors can offer coaching, CME courses, or finance education for fellow medical professionals.

What is the earning potential from developing a medical product?

It varies widely. Some physician-led startups have scaled to multi-million-dollar valuations, but success depends on market demand, product quality, and regulatory approval.

What are the benefits of locum tenens work for physicians?

Benefits include higher hourly pay (30–50% more), flexible contracts, and exposure to varied clinical settings. It’s ideal for doctors seeking temporary or supplemental work.

How much time do side hustles typically require?

Time commitment varies:

• Telemedicine: Flexible, a few hours weekly

• Consulting: Project-based, variable hours

• Writing/Courses: Build upfront, passive after launch

• Real Estate: Passive if managed well

• Locum Tenens: Short-term full-time or part-time contracts

Are there side hustles that don’t require clinical work?

Yes. Non-clinical options include consulting, writing, online education, and product development. These allow doctors to use their knowledge outside patient care.

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Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.

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Article Title: 7 Side Hustles for Physicians to Create Additional Income in 2025

https://fangwallet.com/2025/06/16/physician-side-hustle/

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