Did you know that when surveyed, 54% of physicians on Sermo reported that they already have a side hustle alongside their primary practice? This macrotrend reflects not just economic pressures but a desire for physicians to explore professional networking, upskilling, and greater autonomy.
The medical landscape is shifting, and physicians across all specialties, including immunology, are increasingly exploring opportunities beyond the clinic. Whether you’re an allergist, an employed MD, or another specialist, the days when a single full-time position provided complete financial security and professional fulfillment are changing. In this article, we explore the best side gigs for immunologists and how you can get started earning today.
Why do immunologists seek a side gig?
Side gigs have become an increasingly common way for physicians in all specialties to diversify income and regain a sense of professional autonomy. After surveying more than 1,900 physicians, Sermo found that 46% have a passive income stream. For immunologists and allergy specialists in particular, side gigs often serve a dual purpose: supplementing income while enabling work that feels intellectually engaging and personally meaningful.
Many immunologists also use side gigs to pursue passion projects that reignite their love for medicine while increasing their impact. As an immunologist or allergy specialist, you are especially poised to capitalize on the convergence of specialized expertise, market demand, and flexible opportunities, making side gigs particularly attractive and financially rewarding in 2026.
Physicians on Sermo echo these sentiments. One family medicine physician explains, “Side hustles are a great way to express your talents and desires outside of medicine.” For many immunologists, these pursuits offer a way to expand their impact, explore new interests, and regain control over how—and where—they apply their expertise.
Below are several factors that lead immunologists to seek a side hustle:
High administrative burden
As an immunologist, you know that daily practice often comes with a pile of paperwork. Managing biologic approvals, navigating complex diagnostic workups, and coordinating care for patients with chronic autoimmune conditions result in a mountain of admin work. For example, prior authorizations for expensive immunotherapies alone can consume many hours each week.
This bureaucratic weight contributes significantly to burnout, making flexible supplemental income opportunities that don’t add to this burden particularly attractive. Part-time immunologist jobs typically offer more autonomy without additional red tape, providing much-needed relief.
Compensation gaps
When asked about the benefits of pursuing a side hustle, 41% of surveyed physicians on Sermo cited earning extra income as the primary motivation. An ophthalmologist observes, “In many countries it is customary to have an extra job to earn a little more money; it is natural to want to have a little more money to satisfy basic needs or obtain some or another whim.”
Despite requiring extensive training and managing complex cases, immunology is a cognitive specialty that typically pays less than procedural fields such as cardiology or gastroenterology.
While immunologists provide critical diagnostic and treatment expertise, the reimbursement structure often doesn’t reflect the intellectual complexity or time investment required. This compensation disparity motivates many physicians to diversify their income streams without simply adding more hours at the clinic, which would only increase burnout. Immunologist side gigs offer a path to financial growth that doesn’t require seeing more patients.
A general practitioner writes on Sermo, “The field of health does not generate enough income to meet all the needs, so we are forced to carry out other types of activities that generate income.” Another physician on Sermo shares, “I don’t have much free time, but an input of extra money is necessary.”
Rising demand for expertise
The biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries are experiencing explosive growth in immunology-related therapeutics. From CAR-T cell therapies to novel checkpoint inhibitors and targeted biologics, companies need immunologists’ deep knowledge of immune pathways and emerging therapies.
This creates lucrative opportunities for medical consulting roles with biotech firms, pharmaceutical companies, and digital health startups. Medical device companies developing diagnostic tools for autoimmune conditions also seek your expertise as an immunologist. The market values this specialized knowledge at premium rates and offers a way to advance your skill set and stay up to date on new trends. That’s why, when asked about the benefits of pursuing a side hustle, 21% of surveyed physicians cited improving their skill set.
Desire for work–life balance
Many immunologists enter medicine with the noble goal of helping patients, but quickly find that hectic clinic schedules, hospital rounds, and on-call responsibilities leave little time for personal life. Side gigs such as remote medical review work, tele-immunology consultations, and immunology medical writing offer unprecedented control and flexibility. These opportunities allow you to reclaim personal time while still boosting your income, creating a more sustainable long-term career model. A GP on Sermo adds, “Side hustles are good for economic and personal growth.”
10 Side gigs for immunologists in 2026
Here are the top ten immunologist side gigs that leverage your specialized knowledge while offering flexibility and significant compensation.
Sermo paid medical surveys
A Sermo survey of 2,800 physicians shows that 33% have already participated in medical surveys, making it the most common side hustle. Sermo paid surveys offer a convenient entry point for busy immunologists to explore side gigs. Sermo connects physicians with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and healthcare organizations seeking expert opinions on drug development, market research, and clinical practices.
You can complete surveys during downtime between patients, lunch breaks, or commutes. Each survey typically takes less than 20 minutes to complete and offers compensation ranging from $5 to $500, depending on complexity and specificity. With no scheduling commitments and no contracts, surveys on Sermo represent a steady income that can add up over time with the right strategy.
Biotech/biopharma advisory board consulting
Immunology consulting represents one of the highest-paying side gigs available. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies developing immunotherapeutics, autoimmune treatments, and diagnostic tools regularly consult advisory boards of practicing immunologists. These consultations help companies understand real-world clinical challenges and patient feedback to refine drug development strategies and prepare for regulatory submissions.
Advisory board meetings typically occur either monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually, either virtually or at physical venues. These meetings pay physicians $300-500 per hour, with typical engagements lasting 2-4 hours. Annual earnings from a single company relationship can range from $5,000 to $20,000, and many immunologists maintain relationships with multiple firms. The work provides intellectual stimulation and keeps physicians at the forefront of therapeutic innovation.
Telemedicine
11% of surveyed physicians on Sermo have offered telemedicine as a side hustle. Immunologist telemedicine jobs have expanded rapidly since COVID-19, particularly for follow-up consultations with established autoimmune patients.
While initial diagnostic workups typically require in-person examination, monitoring patients on biologics, adjusting immunosuppressive regimens, and managing chronic conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease can translate easily to virtual visits.
Several platforms specifically recruit immunologists for weekend or evening telehealth coverage. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that e-consult hourly rates vary widely by service type and reimbursement rates, ranging from $45 to over $150. Telemedicine allows immunologists to work as little as one four-hour shift per month or establish regular supplemental schedules. The elimination of commute time and the ability to work from home make telemedicine particularly beneficial for work-life balance.
Chart review
Insurance companies, legal firms, and healthcare quality organizations need immunologists to review medical records for various purposes, including disability determinations, treatment appropriateness assessments, and quality assurance initiatives.
Chart review requires no patient caseload and can be completed on your own schedule. These roles typically pay $100 to $200 per hour, with each case taking 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on complexity. Some immunologists dedicate weekend mornings to chart review, earning $500 to $1,000 for a few hours of focused work. The intellectual challenge of analyzing complex immunological cases without additional administrative burden is appealing to many physicians.
Expert witness
Legal cases involving immunological conditions, vaccine injuries, drug reactions, or misdiagnosed autoimmune diseases often require an immunologist’s testimony. While this side gig demands more involvement than others, it offers exceptional compensation. Expert witness work typically pays $400-600 per hour for case review and deposition testimony, with trial testimony commanding even higher rates. A single case might involve 10-30 hours of work over several months, generating $5,000 to $20,000. However, this work requires comfort with legal proceedings, excellent communication skills, and the ability to explain complex immunology to lay audiences. Many immunologists find expert witness work intellectually rewarding despite its demands.
Locum tenens
The U.S. currently has around 4,400 active allergists and immunologists. With an estimated 20% expected to leave practice in the next five years, workforce analysts project a shortfall of over 2,000 physicians in allergy and immunology. Locum tenens agencies place immunologists in these areas for short-term assignments ranging from long weekends to several weeks. This work typically pays $200-300 per hour plus travel, lodging, and meal expenses.
A long weekend locum assignment can generate $5,000-8,000 while allowing immunologists to explore different practice settings and geographic areas. Locum tenens offers high hourly compensation, new settings, and the ability to grow your professional network.
Medical writing
12% of physicians in a Sermo survey have already participated in medical writing projects as a side hustle. The North America Medical Writing Market is expected to experience significant growth, projecting a rise from US$ 1.76 billion in 2024 to US$ 4.23 billion by 2033. This expansion translates to a strong Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.22% over the 2025–2033 period. The growth of immunology research creates a constant demand for immunology medical writing expertise. As an immunologist, you can write or review articles for medical journals, create educational content for patient advocacy organizations, develop clinical trial protocols, or produce regulatory documents for pharmaceutical submissions.
Medical writing offers flexibility as physicians can write during evenings or weekends at their own pace. Rates vary significantly: medical writing generally pays $100 to $200 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced writers and certain specialties, including immunology. Building a medical writing portfolio takes time, but ongoing content creation for healthcare companies can offer monthly retainers of $2,000-5,000 for regular articles.
Public speaking
Survey data shows 10% of physicians have been paid for public speaking as a side gig. If you’re an immunologist with strong presentation skills, you can earn significant income through speaking engagements at medical conferences, pharmaceutical-sponsored symposia, and continuing medical education events.
Speaking fees range from $2,000 to $10,000 per engagement, depending on the event size and sponsor. While it requires upfront preparation, a well-developed presentation can be delivered multiple times across different venues. Public speaking also enhances your professional reputation and expands your network, creating opportunities for future consulting gigs. Many immunologists find that one or two speaking engagements per quarter generate $10,000-20,000 annually while building their academic profile.
One occupational medicine physician shares, “I collaborate in health promotion activities in the community, and on the other hand, I am a professor in the medicine program of a local university.”
Online CME course creation
Creating online continuing medical education courses is a side gig that can turn into recurring passive income. A pediatrician notes on Sermo, “I am a teacher giving classes to medical and postgraduate students.”
Immunologists can develop CME courses on specialized topics like biologic management, autoimmune disease diagnosis, or immunotherapy complications. Platforms like Medscape, UpToDate, and specialty medical education companies pay physicians for articles or modules from $200 to $500 per hour, as well as ongoing royalties based on course completions. While course creation requires substantial initial time investment, successful courses generate income for years with minimal maintenance. This side gig particularly appeals to immunologists with teaching interests who want to scale their educational impact beyond their local institution.
Clinical research consultant
Research organizations and pharmaceutical companies conducting immunology clinical trials often need external principal investigators or consultants to guide protocol development, analyze data, or serve on data safety monitoring boards. This work combines clinical expertise with research methodology and typically pays $250-400 per hour for consulting time.
Clinical research consulting allows immunologists to stay engaged with cutting-edge research without the administrative burden of running their own trials. Many physicians find this consulting work professionally fulfilling while significantly boosting income.
Sermo paid medical surveys as a means to reach your goals
Among all the immunologist side gigs available, Sermo paid medical surveys offer instant accessibility and strong networking potential. The supplemental income generated through consistent survey participation, while perhaps modest compared to consulting or expert witness work, provides reliable, flexible earnings that can meaningfully add up to advance career and personal goals.
Many immunologists, just like you, use survey income specifically to fund professional development, whether that’s paying for an MBA program to develop business skills, obtaining a certificate in clinical research, or covering registration fees for international immunology conferences. The beauty of survey income lies in its predictability and ease; unlike consulting work that requires contracts and scheduling, surveys fit into the smallest time gaps in a physician’s day. Over time, earning an extra through surveys accumulates into meaningful wealth. This money can seed investment accounts, pay down student loans faster, or fund family experiences that would otherwise feel financially stressful.
For immunologists just beginning to explore side gigs, Sermo surveys provide proof of concept, demonstrating that supplemental income is achievable without overwhelming time commitments or complicated arrangements.
Your takeaway
Your unique position as an immunologist in the modern healthcare ecosystem creates exceptional opportunities for meaningful supplemental income. The cutting-edge knowledge of immune pathways, biologics, and complex autoimmune conditions that immunologists develop through years of specialized training makes them invaluable to biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical firms, telemedicine platforms, and research organizations.
The analytical skills required to diagnose and manage intricate immunological cases translate directly into high-value consulting, medical writing, and expert advisory work. As healthcare continues evolving, the demand for immunologist expertise will only grow, creating an expanding landscape of immunologist side gigs.
Whether seeking to offset compensation gaps, reduce burnout through flexible work, build wealth for the future, or simply explore professional interests beyond clinical practice, immunologists have more options than ever in 2026. From the accessibility of Sermo paid medical surveys to the substantial income potential of biotech advisory consulting, there’s a side gig matching every schedule, interest level, and financial goal.
Your journey to supplemental income doesn’t need to be solitary. The Sermo community provides a powerful platform for peer support, resource sharing, and collective wisdom. Immunologists can connect with colleagues who have successfully built side gigs, learn from their experiences, and discover new opportunities through community discussions.
