Physicians across all specialties are increasingly exploring side gigs as a strategic way to diversify income, combat burnout, and regain control over their professional lives. The demands of modern medical caseloads, rising administrative burdens, and stagnating reimbursements have prompted doctors to seek supplemental opportunities that align with their expertise.
Whether it’s achieving financial goals, pursuing professional development, or simply finding more flexible work arrangements, side gigs offer pulmonologists a pathway to career satisfaction beyond traditional clinical roles. These opportunities allow physicians to monetize their specialized knowledge while maintaining autonomy and work-life balance. In this article, we will look into multiple options that an expert pulmonologist can look for.
Why do pulmonologists seek a side gig?
When asked about the benefits of a side hustle, 41% of physicians on Sermo identified earning extra income as the primary motivation, while 21% valued the opportunity to improve their skill set, 17% wanted to expand their network, and 12% sought to build their professional reputation.
The combination of clinical complexity, demanding schedules, and evolving consumer trends creates a compelling case for pulmonologists to seek supplemental income streams. Physician side gigs have become a powerful way for modern clinicians to earn extra income while maintaining control over their schedules.
An ophthalmologist emphasizes: “I think that the relationship between work and personal life is essential, but more than a relationship, it is important to know how to differentiate one from the other. Both are important. Many times, the mistake is made of bringing personal problems to work, and this leads to poor performance of the latter or vice versa. Knowing how to separate this is a great challenge for a professional.”
Intense call and critical care load
Combining pulmonary and critical care medicine means frequent, high-stress, and often unpredictable calls, leading to significant burnout and work-life imbalance. Pulmonologists managing critically ill patients in ICU settings face round-the-clock responsibilities that can disrupt personal time and erode quality of life.
As one Sermo member shared: “Medicine is a sacrificial job, but that does not mean that it has to be put before the personal environment…Quality is better than quantity, and when working in good conditions, this has an impact on the well-being of the patient and the staff.”
The unpredictability of emergent respiratory failures, ventilator management crises, and acute exacerbations creates a work environment where boundaries between professional and personal life become blurred. This constant pressure drives many pulmonologists to seek side gigs that offer more predictable schedules and remote flexibility. In such scenarios, understanding the physician compensation models is crucial to ensure that the expert pulmonologists are getting what they deserve.
Monetizing specialized diagnostics
Expertise in complex pulmonary function testing (PFTs), chest imaging, and sleep studies is highly valued for remote interpretation, consulting, and legal review. Pulmonologists possess specialized skills in reading and analyzing sophisticated diagnostic data that few other specialists can match. This expertise translates directly into lucrative opportunities for remote work, where physicians can interpret sleep studies, review pulmonary function tests, or provide expert opinions on chest imaging from anywhere. The technical nature of these diagnostic skills makes them ideal for telemedicine and consulting arrangements that don’t require physical presence.
High demand in industry/litigation
Knowledge of rare lung diseases, respiratory devices (ventilators, home oxygen), and medicolegal issues is extremely valuable for corporate and legal clients. Pulmonologists are frequently sought as expert witnesses in cases involving occupational lung disease, asbestos-related conditions, and ventilator malpractice. Their understanding of complex respiratory physiology and disease mechanisms makes them invaluable in litigation settings. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers actively recruit pulmonologists as consultants for product development, clinical trials, and regulatory affairs. This intersection of medical expertise and industry needs creates substantial income opportunities.
Financial disparity
Compared to procedural-only specialties, the blend of cognitive and procedural work can lead to financial pressures, making supplemental income a necessity for many pulmonologists to reach financial goals. While pulmonologists perform procedures like bronchoscopy and thoracentesis, much of their work involves cognitive skills like interpreting complex data, managing ventilators, and coordinating care, which are often undervalued in reimbursement models. This creates a financial gap compared to specialists who perform high-volume procedures.
Financial expectations for side hustles vary considerably among physicians. Poll results on Sermo show that 40% of physicians hope to earn between $0-1,000 annually from side work, while 19% target $1,001-5,000, another 19% aim for $5,000-15,000, 12% seek $15,000-50,000, and 10% aspire to earn over $50,000 per year from supplemental income streams.
An otolaryngologist reflects this reality: “It’s hard for me to get a good work-life balance, I have my shift at the hospital and private practice so I spend all week working all day and half day on Saturdays, and that seems to be the case for most doctors.”According to a recent Sermo poll, 54% of physicians currently do not have a passive income source, indicating significant untapped potential for side gig opportunities.
7 Side gigs for pulmonologists in 2026
Sermo paid medical surveys
A third of surveyed physicians on Sermo have already benefited from paid medical surveys as a regular side hustle. Sermo paid medical surveys are among the most accessible and flexible pulmonologist side gigs available. An otolaryngologist on Sermo noted how surveys fit into their list of side gigs: “I am involved in surveys, telemedicine, community services to rural and hard-to-reach communities…”
Sermo surveys connect physicians with pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare research organizations seeking expert clinical insights.
Pulmonologists can complete surveys during downtime, between patients, during lunch breaks, or in the evening, making this an ideal option for busy specialists. Compensation varies based on survey length and complexity, with some specialized surveys offering substantial payments for niche expertise. The platform allows physicians to share their clinical experiences and opinions on emerging therapies, diagnostic approaches, and treatment protocols while earning supplemental income with minimal time commitment.
A psychiatrist from the USA notes, “SERMO surveys are a side hustle. I don’t need the money, but it is fun to get paid to do them.” A general practitioner adds, “Writing and surveys are very nice passive source of income.”
Tele-pulmonology consults
A Sermo survey shows that 12% of physicians have already participated in telehealth as a side hustle. Tele-pulmonology consults have emerged as one of the most lucrative non-clinical pulmonology gigs in the digital health era. This side gig involves providing remote consultations for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, reviewing diagnostic studies, and offering second opinions through telemedicine platforms. Pulmonologists can set their own schedules, working evenings or weekends from home while commanding competitive hourly rates.
Many telemedicine companies actively recruit board-certified pulmonologists to address the nationwide shortage of specialists in rural and underserved areas. This work allows physicians to maintain clinical skills while enjoying the flexibility of remote practice, eliminating commute time and reducing overhead costs associated with traditional practice settings.
Remote sleep study interpretation (PFTs/Polysomnography)
Remote sleep study interpretation represents a high-demand pulmonologist side gig that leverages specialized diagnostic skills. Many sleep centers and hospitals outsource polysomnography interpretation to board-certified sleep medicine physicians, creating abundant opportunities for remote work.
Pulmonologists trained in sleep medicine can review overnight sleep studies, score respiratory events, and provide diagnostic reports from anywhere with internet access. This work typically pays per study, allowing physicians to control their volume and income. The flexible nature of this side gig makes it ideal for pulmonologists seeking predictable, asynchronous work that doesn’t involve patient interaction or urgent responses.
As a general practitioner explainst he importance of good sleep on Sermo, “Maintaining healthy sleep patterns is essential for our overall well-being. Insufficient sleep significantly raises the likelihood of various health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. The quality of our sleep is closely tied to our lifestyle choices.” Another GP notes: “Bad sleeping habits are involved in the metabolism, mood, and physical state, so it is essential to give people knowledge of how important it is to sleep well and about sleep hygiene.”
Expert witness
Serving as a physician expert witness in occupational lung disease cases represents one of the most financially rewarding pulmonologist side gigs available. Law firms actively seek board-certified pulmonologists to provide expert testimony in cases involving asbestos exposure, silicosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, and ventilator-associated complications.
Expert witness work involves reviewing medical records, depositions, and sometimes testifying in court or via video conference. Expert witness work typically commands hourly rates of $400-800 or more, making it exceptionally lucrative for physicians with strong communication skills and medicolegal knowledge. While this side gig requires professional liability considerations and may involve time-intensive case review, the financial rewards and intellectual stimulation make it highly attractive for experienced pulmonologists.
Utilization review (UR) for high-cost respiratory drugs or equipment
Utilization review for high-cost respiratory medications and equipment offers pulmonologists a steady side income stream with predictable hours. Insurance companies, pharmacy benefit managers, and managed care organizations employ pulmonologists to review prior authorization requests for expensive medications like biologics for severe asthma, pulmonary hypertension therapies, and home oxygen equipment.
Utilization review can often be performed remotely on a part-time or per-diem basis, with compensation ranging from hourly rates to per-case payments. Pulmonologists appreciate this side gig because it allows them to apply clinical knowledge to ensure appropriate resource utilization while working flexible hours. Many of these positions offer evening or weekend shifts, making it easy to integrate with full-time clinical practice.
Consultant for respiratory device manufacturers
Consulting for respiratory device manufacturers provides pulmonologists with an intellectually stimulating and financially rewarding side gig. Medical device companies developing ventilators, CPAP machines, oxygen delivery systems, bronchoscopes, and other respiratory equipment need clinical experts to guide product development, conduct user testing, and provide feedback on design iterations.
This consulting work may involve attending advisory board meetings, reviewing product specifications, participating in clinical trial design, or training other physicians on new technologies. Compensation typically includes hourly consulting fees, travel reimbursement, and sometimes equity or royalty arrangements. This side gig allows pulmonologists to influence the future of respiratory medicine while building valuable industry connections.
Medical writing/editing (Pulmonary/CCM content)
Sermo survey data shows that 12% of physicians have already taken on writing as a side hustle. Medical writing and editing focused on pulmonary and critical care medicine content represents a flexible and creative pulmonologist side gig. Pharmaceutical companies, medical education companies, continuing medical education providers, and medical publishers constantly seek expert physicians to create content, review manuscripts, and develop educational materials.
Pulmonologists can write review articles, develop case studies, create CME modules, or edit textbook chapters on respiratory topics. This work can be done entirely remotely on a freelance basis, with compensation varying from per-project fees to ongoing retainer arrangements. Medical writing allows pulmonologists to contribute to the medical literature, establish thought leadership, and earn supplemental income while working at their own pace.
Sermo paid medical surveys as a means to reach your goals
Sermo paid medical surveys offer a convenient way for pulmonologists to earn supplemental income while advancing medical knowledge. Unlike many side gigs that require significant time commitments, additional certifications, or complex scheduling arrangements, Sermo surveys can be completed in minutes during natural breaks in a physician’s day.
The platform connects pulmonologists directly with organizations seeking expert clinical perspectives on emerging therapies, treatment protocols, and healthcare trends. This supplemental income accumulates substantially over time and requires minimal effort. For pulmonologists seeking to fund professional development, such as obtaining additional certifications in sleep medicine, interventional pulmonology, or critical care ultrasonography, the steady income from Sermo surveys can offset registration fees, study materials, and conference attendance costs.
Beyond professional goals, this flexible income stream allows physicians to treat themselves to small luxuries that busy clinical schedules often make difficult to justify, whether it’s a weekend getaway, fine dining experiences, or hobby investments. One of the key benefits of Sermo surveys lies in their accessibility: no contracts, no schedules, no additional liability insurance, just straightforward compensation for sharing your clinical expertise.
Ready to explore a side gig?
The intellectual demands of pulmonology create a strong draw toward high-value side gigs that extend far beyond traditional clinical practice. As specialists managing complex respiratory conditions, ventilator-dependent patients, and rare lung diseases, pulmonologists possess expertise that commands premium compensation in telemedicine, expert witness work, industry consulting, and remote diagnostic interpretation. These side gigs offer more than supplemental income; they provide pathways to combat administrative fatigue and burnout, regain professional autonomy, and achieve professional growth in an era of healthcare consolidation and decreasing clinical reimbursements.
For pulmonologists feeling the weight of intense call schedules, critical care burdens, and work-life imbalance, side gigs represent an opportunity to leverage specialized knowledge on your own terms. Whether your goal is paying off student loans faster, funding continuing education, building retirement savings, or simply enjoying the flexibility of remote work, the diverse opportunities and alternative career options available in 2026 can help you reach those milestones.
Join the Sermo community today to start your first survey and connect with fellow pulmonologists who are successfully navigating side gig opportunities, sharing insights on the most lucrative options, and supporting each other in achieving professional and personal goals.
