A physician’s guide to medical surveys for money

Illustration of a person sitting at a desk using a laptop. Text reads: "Earn extra. Stress-free. Paid physician surveys, personalized for you.

According to a Sermo poll of 1,400 physicians, 64% reported feeling unfairly compensated for their work. This dissatisfaction is a primary driver behind doctors seeking additional revenue streams—including opportunities offered by paid medical surveys.

Many physicians assume that medical surveys for money aren’t worth the time. But it’s surprising how much you can earn. By choosing the right survey provider, you can bring in a strong supplemental income and contribute your expertise to advance medical research. 

What are paid physician surveys?

Paid physician surveys are questionnaires, often from healthcare and market research companies, that gather insights from licensed doctors. They cover topics ranging from product feedback and emerging treatments to real-world patient experiences. Physicians earn money in exchange for participation, with rates varying by specialty, survey length and complexity.

Many people who take surveys for money approach with caution, and for good reason. Some survey providers lack transparency and fail to pay people adequately for their time. But when you know what red flags to look for—like opaque policies that promise unrealistic earnings, honoraria that don’t align with industry standards and providers that don’t verify credentials—it’s possible to find reputable options. 

3 benefits of taking medical surveys for money

A Sermo survey found that 54% of users consider honoraria the main benefit of medical surveys. But 13% also cite medical education as a perk. In fact, one Sermo member stated that Sermo has “been a platform where I have been able to share medical matters in a safe place with like-minded colleagues and learn about new interventions in medicine.”

From staying current with the latest developments and applying insights to their own practice, let’s consider a few more benefits in more detail:

1. Earn supplemental income as a physician

Medical surveys aren’t intended to replace full-time positions. Instead, they act as a side gig through which physicians can easily and meaningfully add an extra few hundred—or even thousand—dollars to their accounts annually.

One Sermo member, a US Emergency Medicine Physician, says: “I deposit my earnings into a separate investment account. It’s only a little each time but with repetition and returns it’s turning out nicely.”

If you’re looking for ways to increase your earnings, consider signing up for some physician surveys today.

2. Contribute to the latest medical developments

When physicians participate in surveys, they share important observations that help healthcare organizations shape future developments. In return, they learn about the newest products that may benefit their patient populations—all while receiving compensation. Physicians stay informed on cutting-edge solutions and contribute insights that can directly refine patient care. It’s a win-win scenario. 

Another member says, “My participation in market research studies has broadened my horizons about, for example, new drugs currently in the pipeline. Furthermore, it encourages you to think about current therapies and to question them critically.” “The availability of case studies from specialists around the world is a standout feature. It’s fascinating to see diverse perspectives on complex medical cases and learn about unique treatment approaches from different healthcare systems.”

Keep up to date in the healthcare industry while contributing to meaningful medical research.

I deposit my earnings into a separate investment account. It’s only a little each time but with repetition and returns it’s turning out nicely.

Sermo Member
US Emergency Medicine Physician

3. Give patients a voice

Survey responses often revolve around how treatments perform in real-world settings, including patient outcomes and experiences. This gives physicians the chance to act as advocates for patients throughout the development and refinement of medical products. With a direct line of communication between frontline care and research teams, doctors help new and existing therapies meet patients’ real needs. 

Types of surveys for physicians

There are two main types of paid medical surveys: quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative surveys rely on structured questionnaires with specific response options, enabling statistical analysis and objective trend measurement. Questions typically aim to validate or refute hypotheses about treatment outcomes, patient experiences or clinical practices. They often require a clear numeric or multiple-choice response rather than in-depth explanations.

Qualitative surveys or interviews, on the other hand, focus on open-ended, exploratory questions that probe the “why” and “how” behind a physician’s opinions or clinical decisions. The goal is to obtain more nuanced, detailed insights on real experiences and emerging trends in patient care. 
In most cases, qualitative surveys tend to be the highest-paying online surveys, offering higher honoraria because they demand more time and detailed insights from participants.

How to earn money taking surveys with Sermo

With Sermo, earning a strong supplemental income with medical research surveys is easy. Here’s how it works.

First, create a free account and verify your license. Next, complete your survey profile so the system can match you with relevant research opportunities based on your specialty and expertise. 

Keep an eye on your “Surveys” page in the navigation bar and respond promptly to invitations, especially higher-paying studies. Once you finish a survey, Sermo typically issues your honorarium within a few days, and you can choose from multiple payment options: direct deposit, PayPal, gift cards or charitable donations. 

Sermo keeps physicians’ identities anonymous by acting as an intermediary between participants and survey companies, avoiding direct contact and identifying data. You can feel confident that your responses stay secure and reliable.

How much can you earn doing surveys?

Earnings range based on your specialty, availability and survey provider. On reputable platforms like Sermo, most active participants can expect to earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to as high as a few thousand dollars annually. Some members have earned over $15,000 through Sermo.

Individually, surveys range from $5 to $500+, with lengthier or more specialized surveys typically offering higher honoraria. Depending on the provider, participating in a 30-minute qualitative survey can net $200–$300, while shorter quantitative surveys may pay $20–$50 for 10–15 minutes of your time.

Remember that consistency is key. Treat survey participation like a side gig and set aside dedicated time to respond to invitations. By completing more surveys, especially those that take more time, you can steadily increase your honoraria, making medical surveys a reliable and rewarding source of supplemental income.

3 tips to maximize your earnings with paid medical surveys

In a poll of Sermo members on how to maximize survey earnings, 41% highlighted consistency as the single most important strategy. Beyond consistency, other maximization tactics include:

  1. Respond to surveys quickly: Surveys fill up fast. Set notifications and check your Available Surveys dashboard daily to avoid missing relevant, high-paying opportunities. 
  2. Weigh survey length and complexity: Longer or more in-depth surveys often pay more, but they require extra time and domain-specific expertise. Aim to leverage longer surveys within your specialty for increased earning potential. 
  3. Invite your colleagues: Sermo’s post-survey referral program rewards you for every colleague you refer who signs up, completes the verification process and successfully finishes a survey. 

Paid medical survey FAQs 

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about paid medical surveys.

Are paid surveys legit?

Paid surveys are legit, but not all are created equal. Sermo partners with leading healthcare organizations to provide high-paying doctor surveys that value time and expertise. In the past year alone, Sermo paid out over $25 million to its users.

Do paid surveys count toward CME hours?

Paid medical surveys are generally industry-sponsored and may involve theoretical or unapproved products, so they typically don’t count toward Category 1 CME hours

Before considering these surveys for Category 2 CME credit, physicians should confirm the requirements with their specific credentialing body.

How does the Sunshine Act affect paid physician surveys?

The Sunshine Act, part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, requires drug and device manufacturers to publicly report certain payments to physicians. Incentive payments for physician surveys are exempt from reporting if:

  1. A third party intermediates the payments (i.e., the sponsor does not pay physicians directly).
  2. The sponsor can’t identify individual participants.

Sermo safeguards physician anonymity by masking identities and handling all payments directly, so these incentives generally remain exempt from Sunshine Act reporting. In some research surveys requiring identifiable data, physicians must give informed consent before sharing any information.

Can I take a medical survey through an app? 

Yes. Sermo has a mobile application for iOS and Android devices. You can download the app to see available surveys, earn honoraria and interact with other physicians—all easily accessible from your smartphone or tablet.

Are there opportunities for HCPs who aren’t physicians?

Sermo welcomes many HCPs, like nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists, in addition to doctors. These members can also make money taking surveys, share insights and earn extra money.

Join physicians around the globe who earn with Sermo

Sermo was created for our community of over 1 million members—and for you—to drive the future of medicine forward. Through our paid online surveys for medical professionals, you can foster innovation while earning a healthy side income.
We paid out $25 million in honoraria in the last year alone. Want to take part? Sign up now and start maximizing your earning potential.