10 Side Hustles for Medical Professionals: Easy Gigs with Big Results
- Jordan Robertson
- 3 days ago
- 10 min read
Between clinic blocks, calls, and CME, your time is priceless.
That’s why the best side hustles for medical professionals are flexible, low-friction to start, and clear about the trade-offs. Below, we break down popular options – from Walmart Spark and Uber Eats to telemedicine and moonlighting – so you can pick a lane that actually fits your schedule, energy, and income goals.
A Quick Chart: What Pays, How Flexible, + What to Watch
Side hustle | Typical gross pay | Flexibility | Startup friction | Key watchouts |
Moonlighting (clinical) | ~$100-$250/hr (specialty-dependent; residents often $60-$150/hr) | Low-Medium (shift-based) | Medium-High (credentialing, malpractice) | Burnout risk, malpractice scope, non-competes |
Telemedicine (urgent care/primary care) | ~$60-$120/hr or ~$20-$50/visit | High (work from home) | Medium (licensure, platforms) | Quality metrics, coverage hours, multi-state licensure |
Locum Tenens (short contracts) | ~$130-$300/hr | Medium (blocks of time) | Medium (agency paperwork) | Travel/time away, housing logistics |
Uber Eats (delivery) | ~$18-$28/hr gross (market-dependent) | Very High (on-demand) | Low | Vehicle wear, surge dependence, taxes |
Walmart Spark Driver (delivery) | ~$20-$30/hr gross (market-dependent) | Very High (on-demand) | Low | Wait times at pickup, mileage costs, personal car expenses |
Expert Network Calls (consulting) | ~$200-$500/hr per call | High (schedule calls) | Low-Medium (profile + vetting) | Conflict-of-interest, confidentiality |
Medical Writing/Review | ~$50-$150/hr (or per-piece) | High | Low-Medium (samples) | Deadlines, writing, edits |
USMLE/MCAT Tutoring | ~$40-$120/hr | High (nights/weekends) | Low | Lead flow, prep time |
Clinical Surveys/KOL Panels | ~$20-$75 per survey / higher for panels | High | Low | Irregular cadence |
Principal Investigator (clinical trials) | Variable (project-based + stipends) | Low-Medium | Medium-High (infrastructure) | Compliance overhead |
1) Moonlighting (Clinical Shifts)
Why it works → It’s squarely in your wheelhouse. If you want to keep your skills sharp and boost income fast, moonlighting is often the highest-ROI side hustle for medical professionals.
What it is → Picking up paid shifts outside your main job – often nights or weekends – at your own facility or another site, with separate credentialing and appropriate malpractice coverage.
Pros
→ Highest earning power per hour for most clinicians.
→ Directly leverages your training; no new skill stack needed for moonlighting.
→ Can trial different settings (ED fast track, hospitalist nights, outpatient after-hours, etc).
Cons
→ Scheduling fatigue – adds to total clinical load.
→ Requires malpractice coverage aligned to the clinical scope.
→ Potential conflicts with your primary employer or non-compete language.
Money specifics
→ Attendings: ~$100-$250/hr depending on specialty, acuity, + location.
→ Residents/Fellows (when allowed): ~$60-$150/hr, with caps and program rules.
What to check before you say yes
→ Malpractice (occurrence vs claims-made), tail coverage, and scope of practice.
→ Contract terms on moonlighting and outside income.
→ Credentialing timeline (plan 30-90 days in many systems).
Fast start
→ Ask your current system about internal moonlighting first (credentialing is faster).
→ Consider reputable locum/moonlighting agencies if you want external shifts.
2) Telemedicine (Primary Care, Urgent, Behavioral Health)
Why it works → This gig, too, is directly in your wheelhouse. And telemedicine is the most “home-friendly” side hustle for medical professionals who want to earn easily from a laptop.
What it is → Delivering remote patient care via secure video/phone/chat – think things like urgent care triage, refills, minor complaints, or behavioral health check-ins – from home, usually in short, schedulable blocks (paid per visit or hourly; multi-state licensure boosts volume).
Pros
→ Work from home; highly flexible scheduling.
→ Predictable workflows; many platforms supply EHR, templates, support, + more.
→ Scales well if you hold multiple state licenses.
Cons
→ Pay depends on visit volume or strict hourly metrics.
→ Quality measures (chart closure time, patient satisfaction) can affect scheduling priority.
→ Multi-state licensure and DEA rules add admin time.
Money specifics
→ Hourly: roughly $60-$120/hr.
→ Per-visit: ~$20-$50 per completed visit; volume is key.
Fast start
→ Target platforms that match your scope (e.g., urgent care vs women’s health vs derm).
→ Capture an IMLC (Interstate Medical Licensure Compact) pathway if eligible.
3) Locum Tenens (Short-Term Contracts)
Why it works → You earn premium, block-based pay with fewer context switches – focus on one site for days or weeks – while agencies handle travel, housing, and logistics, letting you stack income in predictable bursts and sample new practice settings without commitment.
What it is → Short-term contract shifts to cover staffing gaps, scheduled in multi-day or multi-week blocks. You’re typically a 1099 contractor with site-specific credentialing, and your pay is structured as hourly or day rates; travel + housing are often arranged or reimbursed.
Pros
→ Premium pay for high-need geographies or shifts.
→ Agencies often handle travel + housing.
→ Great for testing different practice styles without long-term commitment.
Cons
→ Requires contiguous chunks of time.
→ Travel fatigue – can complicate family rhythm.
→ Onboarding per site.
Money specifics
→ ~$130-$300/hr, with daily rates for in-house coverage.
Fast start
→ Create a turnkey CV packet (licenses, immunizations, references).
→ Work with two agencies to compare assignments and rates.
4) Uber Eats (Food Delivery)
Why it works → Flexible and zero-credentialing; you can turn it on/off between clinic blocks, chase peak times for high-yield windows, get fast payouts, and keep the cognitive load low.
What it is → App-based food delivery as an independent contractor: you accept orders in the app, pick up from restaurants, and drop off at the customer’s door – paid per order + tips (with occasional boosts). Requires a valid driver’s license + insurance and mileage tracking for taxes.
Pros
→ Start in a day or two; you choose the hours and neighborhoods.
→ Useful stress relief – drive, podcast, listen to music, zone out between stops.
→ Surge + boost pay can be extra attractive around events, holidays, and peak meal times.
Cons
→ Wear and tear on your car, fuel costs, mileage tracking, and self-employment taxes.
→ Income depends on driver density, tips, + local demand.
→ Not leveraging your clinical training (opportunity cost).
Money specifics
→ Many markets see ~$18-$28/hr gross before expenses. Net after fuel + maintenance + self-employment tax is lower – often ~$12-$22/hr depending on your car and routes.
Pro tip for margins
→ Track mileage religiously; batch orders; use high-density zones; avoid long, low-tip trips.
Sign up for Uber Eats here →
5) Walmart Spark Driver (Grocery + Retail Delivery)
Why it works → Same on-demand freedom as other apps, but with batch pickups from one store, predictable routes, and lots of promos; great for short, high-yield windows between shifts.
What it is → Walmart’s delivery marketplace gig app: you accept curbside or private shop-and-deliver orders, pick up at a local Walmart, and deliver to customers – paid per order + tips/incentives. You’re a 1099 contractor; track mileage and wait time to gauge true net.
Pros
→ Batch orders from a single pickup (less zig-zagging around).
→ Frequent “shop & deliver” or easy curbside pickups that can pay well during peak hours.
→ Flexible, app-based, offers incentives, + easy to pause if you need a break.
Cons
→ Queues at curbside pickup can eat into earnings (they do reimburse for waits sometimes).
→ Earnings vary by store operations, incentives, and time of day.
→ Same vehicle + tax cost structure as other gig apps like Uber Eats.
Money specifics
→ Typical gross in many areas ~$20-$30/hr, with incentives + surge windows.
→ After costs, expect ~$14-$24/hr net depending on route, tips, vehicle, and miles.
Pro tip for margins
→ Know your stores: some have faster loading teams and better batching patterns.
→ Use a mileage app and plan around incentive windows.
Sign up for Walmart Spark Delivery here →
6) Expert Network Calls (Consulting)
Why it works → Huge hourly yield for 30-60 minute blocks, fully remote, no charting or malpractice, and it leverages your real-world clinical and operational insight on your schedule.
What it is → Paid 1:1 phone + Zoom consults with investors, product teams, and consultancies via expert-network platforms. You field targeted questions on workflows, therapeutics, market dynamics, or policy. Make sure to mind NDAs/COI and your employer’s outside-work policy.
Pros
→ Short, 30-60 minute calls on your expertise (care models, therapeutics, workflows, etc).
→ High hourly equivalent; no travel; calendar-friendly.
→ Broad exposure to industry questions.
Cons
→ Conflicts of interest – check employer policies and any industry relationships.
→ NDAs and confidentiality must be taken seriously.
→ Not always frequent or predictable.
Money specifics
→ ~$200-$500/hr (sometimes higher for niche specialties or senior leaders).
Fast start
→ Build a profile: subspecialty, procedures, populations, operational roles, + published work.
7) Medical Writing + Peer Review
Why it works → Remote, asynchronous, and scalable, you can write between shifts, build a portfolio for credibility, and convert good clients into recurring retainers without clinical fatigue.
What it is → Creating or reviewing medical content for publishers, med-ed groups, health systems, or agencies: patient education, clinician guides, CME modules, regulatory summaries, or brand-agnostic explainers. Expect outlines, references, style guides, + revision rounds.
Pros
→ Remote, async, portfolio-building.
→ Enhances academic and public-facing credentials.
→ Direct path to recurring retainers with the right clients.
Cons
→ Deadlines + multiple editing rounds.
→ Requires sample work to command higher rates.
Money specifics
→ ~$50-$150/hr, or per-piece fees (articles, white papers, clinical briefs, etc).
Fast start
→ Create two writing samples (1 clinical explainer + 1 clinician-to-clinician brief).
→ Pitch to reputable health publishers, med-ed orgs, magazines, or agencies.
8) USMLE/MCAT + Pre-Health Tutoring
Why it works → High hourly pay, fully remote, and easy to slot between rotations or clinic – plus it reinforces your own knowledge and can scale into small cohorts for better effective rates.
What it is → One-on-one or small-group coaching for USMLE/COMLEX/MCAT/pre-health coursework via platforms or referrals. You’ll assess needs, build a study plan, and meet weekly.
Pros
→ Nights + weekends friendly; online by default.
→ Rewarding – strengthens your own knowledge base.
→ Scalable if you package small cohort sessions.
Cons
→ Lead generation is the work, but platforms take a cut.
→ Prep time can compress your effective hourly rate.
Money specifics
→ ~$40-$120/hr depending on exam level and your credentials.
Fast start
→ Offer a short diagnostic plus a customized plan; make sure to collect testimonials early.
9) Clinical Surveys, Advisory Boards & KOL Panels
Why it works → Flexible micro-gigs you can do between patients or after hours. Low cognitive load, no charting, + a clean way to monetize your experience without committing to shifts.
What it is → Paid surveys, advisory boards, and key opinion leader (KOL) discussions for life-science companies, consultancies, med-ed groups, and so on. Expect brief questionnaires or 30-90 minute panels on workflows, prescribing patterns, unmet needs, and so on.
Pros
→ Quick wins and low commitment.
→ 100% remote.
→ Can complement other side hustles.
Cons
→ Irregular; not a primary income stream.
→ COI and disclosure considerations.
Money specifics
→ ~$20-$75 per survey; advisory boards pay more on a per-session basis.
Fast start
→ Create expert profiles on 2-3 networks (e.g., GLG, Guidepoint, Tegus, AlphaSights).
→ Set a clear rate up front.
→ List availability windows to get booked faster.
10) Principal Investigator for Clinical Trials (Practice-Based)
Why it works → Leverages your existing patient panel and clinical workflows to create non-RVU revenue: sponsors pay start-up fees, per-patient visit payments, screen-fail fees, and overhead. It differentiates your practice, expands patient access to novel therapies, and compounds into a repeatable line of income once your site processes are dialed in.
What it is → Acting as the site lead (PI) on industry- or investigator-initiated trials. You oversee protocol adherence, safety, and data quality while a coordinator handles day-to-day ops (recruitment + visits + case report forms). Expect IRB approvals, GCP training, 1572/delegation logs, ICF management, SOPs, and monitoring visits.
Pros
→ Meaningful contribution to evidence and patient access.
→ Project-based payments + overhead recovery.
→ Builds practice differentiation.
Cons
→ Regulatory and documentation overhead.
→ Requires space, coordinator time, SOPs, and sponsor relationships.
Money specifics
→ Stipends and per-patient fees vary widely; think in terms of project budgets, not hourly.
Fast start
→ Pick a therapeutic area you already see and start with low-complexity trials to learn.
Taxes, Benefits + Risk: What Protects Your Upside
If you’re earning from side hustles for medical professionals, you’re likely a 1099 contractor for at least some of the work. That unlocks both opportunity and responsibility:
Entity + bookkeeping
→ Consider an LLC for liability separation.
→ Track income/expenses monthly – use a mileage app for delivery gigs like Spark.
→ Set aside 25-35% of net for taxes if you lack withholding.
Retirement + deductions
→ 1099 income allows a Solo 401(k) or SEP-IRA for additional tax-deferred savings.
→ Deductions: professional fees, CME, licensure, part of cell + data, and equipment.
→ Mileage is often the largest deduction for Uber Eats + Walmart Spark. Keep pristine logs.
Benefits
→ If you’re W-2 in your main role, keep an eye on Social Security wage base interactions and Medicare surtax thresholds when adding 1099 income.
Compliance
→ Read your employment contract: secondary work, non-compete, and conflicts of interest.
→ Verify malpractice coverage.
Choosing Your Best-Fit Side Hustle
→ Max dollars per hour + clinical alignment: Moonlighting, Locums, Telemedicine.
→ Maximum flexibility with zero admin: Uber Eats, Walmart Spark, Surveys.
→ Leverage expertise without direct patient care: Expert Calls, Medical Writing, Tutoring.
→ Practice infrastructure advantage: Principal Investigator/Clinical Trials.
If you only trial one or two options this quarter, choose one clinical (moonlighting or telemed) and one non (expert calls or writing). That mix protects your energy and diversifies income.
Side Hustles for Medical Professionals: Mini-Playbooks
Moonlighting
Confirm employer policy + non-compete language.
Secure malpractice aligned to the scope.
Start with internal shifts; expand to external once you know your cadence.
Telemedicine
Pick a niche (urgent care vs chronic care follow-up).
Ensure licensure + EHR readiness; test your workstation.
Stack states via IMLC if you like it.
Uber Eats / Walmart Spark
Track every mile; target dense zones and promo times.
Decline low-margin trips; batch intelligently.
Recalculate net hourly after 2 weeks – keep it only if it meets your threshold.
Expert Calls
Build a crisp expertise profile; list topics you can speak to concretely.
Set a fair rate; guard conflicts and confidentiality.
Schedule in predictable windows (e.g., Friday afternoons).
The Bottom Line on Side Hustles for Medical Professionals
The best side hustles for medical professionals respect your time, pay you clearly, won’t compromise your core practice, and plug cleanly into your overall financial plan: easy to start + stop, tax-aware, and aligned with your savings, debt, and risk goals.
Start small, measure net (not just gross), and keep your contracts and coverage clean. Whether you spin up a handful of Uber Eats or Walmart Spark runs on a free evening, stack a telemedicine block, or pick up two expert calls a month, small, consistent moves can make a real dent in debt payoff, savings goals (like college or weddings), and lifestyle flexibility.
Ready to Make Your Side Income Work for Your Bigger Plan?
If you’d like help mapping your side-hustle income to taxes, savings, and long-term goals, Your Planning Partner (YPP) specializes in financial planning for doctors. Book a quick consult and we’ll build a physician-specific plan that fits your schedule and maximizes every extra dollar.
Chat with us here →