Top side hustles for physician assistants: earn extra income in 2025

Physician Assistants (PAs) provide critical access to care and expertise across the healthcare system every day. Yet, with climbing inflation, student loan debt, and a desire for better work-life balance, many PAs are exploring side hustles to supplement their income, build new skills, and open doors to future career opportunities. We recently surveyed over 200 PAs on Sermo and found 30% currently have a side hustle, with 59% wishing they had one.

Keep reading to see why side hustles are worth pursuing, how you can benefit, and the top opportunities for PAs to boost their income as we move into 2025.

(Note on terminology: While many professionals now prefer the title Physician Associate, the term Physician Assistant remains widely used in job listings and in search engines. For clarity and discoverability, we’ll use Physician Assistant throughout this article—but with full respect for the preferred title of PAs!)

Why physician assistants seek side hustles

There are many reasons physicians take on a side hustle. Not surprisingly, our survey revealed that 78% of PAs’ primary reason is additional income, however, 18% said work-life balance and flexibility are the main motivations. Side hustles offer more than just financial rewards. Whether it’s the chance to explore a passion project, network with peers, or gain expertise to transition into new roles, side gigs open up meaningful opportunities for growth.

Here’s why PAs are turning to side gigs:

Improve the ability to budget

Regular income from side gigs helps PAs cover unexpected expenses or get through tight pay periods with ease. Side hustles provide an additional income stream to help PAs budget more effectively.

Develop transferable skills

Many side hustles for physician assistants, such as medical writing or consulting, develop skills like communication, research, and business operations knowledge. These skills translate into leadership competencies or open doors for non-clinical roles within healthcare.

One PA shared this within Sermo: “I want to be able to utilize my skillset beyond the traditional patient/practitioner relationship and develop skills that will help advance me into more administrative roles to advance my career and increase my chances for obtaining non-traditional healthcare work.” 

Strengthen financial stability

Side income reduces dependency on primary salaries, offering a cushion against sudden expenses or gaps in employment. Whether it’s building an emergency fund, investing, or helping a loved one, extra income helps you secure a better future.

Accelerate debt repayment

The average student loan debt for PAs in the United States in 2025 is approximately $112,000 after completing their training. With the average PA carrying significant educational debt, any financial boost helps reduce the burden. 

Achieve big financial goals

Whether buying a house, planning a dream vacation, or securing early retirement, side hustles help physician assistants work toward their long-term aspirations without sacrificing day-to-day financial stability.

Expand networks

Side hustles often involve collaboration and allow PAs to interact with professionals across healthcare and other industries. Over time, this enriches their social capital, leading to new connections and additional career opportunities.

Another PA in the U.S. shared this on Sermo: “I’ve had numerous side hustles over the past 5 years, with a few of those starting out while I was in PA school. I worked as a content specialist and subject matter expert for Picmonic and a question writer for Rosh Review. Both allowed me to work on my own time. Shortly after graduating, I started to teach labs and proctor exams at PA programs near me. Through connections I made as a student, I landed several roles as a guest lecturer, challenge bowl coach, and point of care ultrasound instructor. I landed a course director role for the University of Georgia through a work connection. My job at the urgent care allows me a flexible schedule to teach. Additionally, my role as a medical lab scientist prior to PA school gave me the credentials to serve as the laboratory director and consultant for our 3 moderately complex labs at our urgent care.” 

What are the best physician assistant side hustles I can start today?

By leveraging medical expertise, PAs can tap into numerous lucrative opportunities beyond their regular clinical duties. We asked PAs on Sermo what clinical side hustle is the most interesting. Telehealth services was the clear choice with 51% of the vote. Health coaching, per diem shifts, and medical writing were other popular choices with 14% of the vote each.

Here are some of the top side hustles for PAs to consider:

1. Medical surveys

PAs can earn money on Sermo by participating in paid medical surveys, which require sharing professional opinions about treatments or patient outcomes. Sermo makes surveys efficient and financially rewarding, that can fit any busy PA schedule.

One PA in the Sermo community shared, “I deposit my survey earnings in a separate account, and it’s grown into a nice nest egg.” Learn more about maximizing your earning potential with paid medical surveys here.

Moreover, Physician Associate influencer (and Sermo member!) Tracy Bingaman, PA-C, shared this in a recent episode of her “The PA Is In” podcast: “Sermo basically funded my five-day ski trip to Banff—flights and food courtesy of me, my brain, and Sermo’s survey thank-you payments.” As of the episode’s publish date, Tracy had earned over $1,200 from surveys completed in her downtime—from her couch, in the car pickup line, or even on a ski lift.
Watch her full honest review of Sermo here.

2. Medical writing

Combine your medical expertise with strong writing skills to create technical content for journals, textbooks, or health blogs. Organizations and publishers are always on the lookout for professionals who can accurately convey medical information.

3. Medical-legal review

PAs are well-versed in medical documentation and patient histories, making them ideal candidates for reviewing legal cases involving medical claims or malpractice. The role pays significantly for time-limited engagements.

4. Telemedicine consultations

Telemedicine has grown exponentially post-pandemic. Many PAs provide remote consultations for patients needing follow-ups, guidance on home health care, or prescriptions, all while working flexible hours.

As one Sermo member shared, “One great telemed position I had previously was reviewing cases for Medicare/Medicaid eligibility and medical stability to receive home care services. Essentially involved having a brief Zoom consultation with the patient by following a fairly well-laid-out series of questions, followed by documenting a couple of notes after each call. You might want to look into whether or not your state has a similar program.”

5. Tutoring and teaching

Leverage your clinical knowledge to tutor students in PA programs or teach Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses. These roles can also evolve into speaking engagements or adjunct teaching opportunities, and as a CME provider or coordinator, PAs who organize courses on cutting-edge research and new medical protocols can monetize their knowledge while networking

6. Aesthetic procedures

Entering the field of medical aesthetics, such as administering Botox or dermal fillers, offers PAs a lucrative and flexible way to utilize their licensing for cosmetic purposes.

7. Blogging or affiliate marketing

PAs with an aptitude for content creation can start healthcare-focused blogs or YouTube channels. By collaborating with medical brands for affiliate marketing or sponsored content, these platforms could generate passive income over time.

8. Entrepreneurial ventures

Some PAs branch out into entrepreneurship, starting businesses like online coaching platforms, medical consulting, or even ventures unrelated to healthcare, such as e-commerce stores.

9. Healthcare consulting

Some PAs consult for pharmaceutical or medical device companies, offering insights into product development or testing protocols. It’s a high-paying option for knowledgeable clinicians.

Passive income opportunities for physician assistants

Balancing a side hustle with clinical duties can be challenging for PAs. 36% of physician assistants surveyed said ‘finding the right opportunity’ was the biggest obstacle to starting a side gig. Another 31% said managing time effectively, and 24% ensuring it doesn’t conflict with their primary job responsibilities were the biggest challenges. This is why some are exploring passive income streams, which require a lighter time commitment, but offer consistent returns.

Here are a few proven passive income ideas ideal for PAs:

Real estate investing

Investing in rental properties or Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allows PAs to earn income without active daily involvement. House hacking, where you rent part of your primary residence, is another popular option.

Stock market and dividend investing

By investing in dividend-paying stocks, PAs can earn steady returns with minimal effort. Index funds or ETFs can diversify their portfolios while building wealth for the long term.

Selling digital products

Many healthcare professionals create and sell digital products like eBooks, custom care templates, or online courses aimed at healthcare providers or patients.

Affiliate marketing and sponsored content

If you run a successful blog, social media account, or YouTube channel, affiliate partnerships with relevant brands or sponsored content can provide an ongoing revenue stream.

Make any side hustle a success with Sermo

From paid medical surveys for PAs to freelance writing, the opportunities to generate extra income are many and varied. What’s key is finding a side gig that aligns with your skills, interests, and schedule.

Looking for guidance on where to begin? Join Sermo. Our thriving community offers exclusive side hustle resources, peer insights, and surveys tailored just for PAs.

Start maximizing your professional potential today. Sign up for free on Sermo and find the perfect side gig to elevate your career and financial goals.

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