As a pulmonologist, you’re who people call when the situation is critical—when ventilator settings need adjusting, when a patient’s ARDS isn’t responding to standard interventions, when the ICU is overflowing and every decision matters. Your abilities aren’t just pivotal in clinics and hospitals; they are directly transferable to many non-clinical pulmonology jobs.
Whether you’re seeking better work-life balance, a different kind of professional challenge or an opportunity to make a broader impact, numerous alternative careers can suit your needs. Learn about the best career paths available to pulmonologists, and how you can strategically plan your next move.
Why pulmonologists seek alternative careers
In a poll conducted by Sermo, over 2000 members (including pulmonologists and other physician specialties) weighed in on what they think is the main reason that doctors choose to leave medicine. 26% cited emotional stress and burnout, with another 19% pointing to poor work-life balance and 21% mentioning long hours.
The nature of pulmonology can contribute to burnout. Pulmonologists treat respiratory conditions, often in high-stakes settings like an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This work is vital, but the constant pressure can take a toll.
One pulmonologist on Sermo expressed frustration from feeling unappreciated for their efforts. “There is no respect for anyone in healthcare,” they write. Below are several reasons why you might be seeking a career change:
High-stress clinical load
The day-to-day responsibilities of a pulmonologist often involve managing critically ill patients. This constant exposure to high-stress situations can be mentally and emotionally draining. The weight of making life-or-death decisions, coupled with the emotional burden of patient outcomes, contributes significantly to burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic’s onset may have increased burnout among pulmonologists, given the illness’ impact on the respiratory system. A 2023 review of studies found that 68.4% of pulmonologists reported burnout during the pandemic, compared to 41.6% prior to the outbreak.
Chronic exposure risks
Working in pulmonology means frequent contact with infectious diseases, some of which are aerosolized. This proximity to airborne pathogens like tuberculosis or influenza, and more recently COVID-19, places pulmonologists at a higher personal health risk than many other specialists. Over time, these concerns can influence a physician’s desire to transition to a less risky work environment.
Heavy call and procedure demands
The schedule of a clinical pulmonologist is often grueling. Frequent night calls, long hours in the ICU and a demanding procedural load, including bronchoscopies and other interventions, can severely disrupt work-life balance. “Work overload, low pay from insurance companies, long working hours… make us rethink this beautiful profession,” a pulmonologist expresses on Sermo.
Interest in broader roles
Beyond the pressures of clinical work, some pulmonologists develop an interest in applying their skills in new ways. Opportunities in medical administration, the pharmaceutical industry, digital health innovation or research offer a chance to impact healthcare on a larger scale. For some, the motivation is intellectual curiosity; for others, it’s financial considerations. “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,” a general practitioner shares on Sermo.
Strategic alternative careers for pulmonologists
If you feel ready to pivot, several non-clinical and clinical-adjacent roles can allow you to channel your skills in new ways. These are alternative careers that can provide better work-life balance and professional growth, with average salaries for U.S.-based roles.
Consulting for critical care/ventilator protocol development
Expertise in respiratory physiology and critical care is invaluable to medical device companies and hospitals. As a consultant, you would help develop and refine ventilator protocols, create training materials for new respiratory equipment and advise on best practices for critical care. This role in pulmonary consulting allows you to leverage your clinical knowledge without direct patient-facing responsibilities.
Average salary: $148,159, according to ZipRecruiter.
Sleep medicine specialist
While many pulmonologists are already dual-certified in sleep medicine, focusing exclusively on this subspecialty offers a significant shift in lifestyle. This path involves diagnosing and treating sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy and insomnia. The work is primarily outpatient-based, with more predictable hours and a lower-stress environment compared to critical care. The shift can allow you to continue practicing medicine while reclaiming your own schedule.
Average salary: $207,769, according to ZipRecruiter
Medical director
As a medical director for a hospital, respiratory care department or long-term care facility, you would oversee clinical operations, quality improvement initiatives and staff management. This leadership role allows you to shape patient care policies, without the daily grind of individual patient care.
Median range: $324,000, according to Glassdoor; pay varies depending on the size and type of organization
Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
MSLs work for pharmaceutical or biotech companies, serving as scientific experts and educators. In this role, you would build relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in pulmonology, share clinical data on new therapies and provide scientific support to internal teams. It’s a dynamic, travel-oriented career that combines deep medical knowledge with communication and relationship-building skills.
Median salary: $204,000, per Glassdoor
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
The CMO is a high-level executive role within a healthcare organization, startup or pharmaceutical company. Responsibilities include providing clinical leadership, shaping corporate strategy, overseeing research and development and ensuring regulatory compliance. As a pulmonologist, your expertise would be particularly valuable in companies focused on respiratory health or critical care technology. This is a demanding leadership position but offers the potential for major impact and financial reward.
Median salary: $392,000, according to Glassdoor
Respiratory health consultant/quality improvement
In this role, you would work with healthcare organizations to improve the quality and efficiency of respiratory care. This could involve analyzing patient outcomes, developing new care pathways for conditions like COPD and asthma and implementing evidence-based practices. This path is ideal if you are passionate about systems-level improvement and data-driven healthcare.
Average rate: $41 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter
Pulmonology fellowship program director
If you love teaching and mentoring, directing a fellowship program can be a rewarding academic career. You would be responsible for recruiting, training and evaluating the next generation of pulmonologists. While this role includes clinical and administrative duties, it is centered on education and academic leadership, offering a different kind of fulfillment than purely clinical practice.
Average salary: $305,234, according to ZipRecruiter
Not ready to pivot? 4 side gigs for pulmonologists
If you’re not quite ready for a full career change but want to explore other options or earn supplemental income, you can take on a side gig. (For a deeper dive, check out our full article on physician side gigs.)
Tele-ICU physician
As a remote ICU physician, you can provide critical care coverage from home. This role offers an average hourly pay of $58 according to ZipRecruiter, often with scheduling flexibility. Tele-ICU doctors typically monitor multiple ICU patients at once through audio-visual technology, reviewing real-time vitals and labs to support on-site teams.
Remote sleep study interpretation
You can interpret polysomnography (PSG) and home sleep apnea tests (HSATs) remotely. In this role, you analyze raw sleep data, generate detailed reports and occasionally collaborate with sleep centers or ordering physicians. Many pulmonologists pair this with their existing practice because the work can be done asynchronously.
Telemedicine Consults
Conduct virtual follow-up appointments for patients with chronic conditions like COPD and asthma. Telemedicine offers a convenient way to maintain patient relationships with less overhead. You can perform consults as part of your current practice or through third-party telehealth platforms seeking pulmonology specialists.
Medical writing/editing
Use your expertise as a medical writer or editor, creating or reviewing content for medical journals, pharmaceutical companies or health-tech websites. You’ll make additional income while remaining engaged with the latest research in your field.
Sermo paid medical surveys as a means to reach your goals
Sermo offers physicians the opportunity to earn supplemental income by participating in paid medical surveys. You can use the extra money to fund a certification course for a new specialty, invest in a business idea or provide a financial cushion while you figure out your next move.
Beyond the financial benefits, Sermo has an active community of more than a million physicians worldwide. It’s a space to connect with peers who have already made a career change, ask for advice and share your own experiences. Even if you transition to a non-clinical role, you can stay connected to the medical world and maintain your clinical relevance by participating in discussions and surveys on the platform.
Find support through your transition
The high-stress, high-stakes environment of clinical pulmonology and critical care can make an alternative career sound appealing. You can use your expertise in a range of other roles, whether that means changing your focus to sleep medicine or flexing your leadership skills as a CMO.
Whether you’re looking for a complete career pivot or a side hustle, you can lean on your peers for guidance. On Sermo, you can connect with healthcare professionals who understand the challenges of finding a new role. Join in to share resources, gain insights and start earning for your expertise.
