Stack of money and an inscription side gig income on it.
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The Rise of Physician Side Gigs
Physicians across the country are exploring additional income sources beyond traditional clinical work. A 2025 MedScape survey revealed that 4 out of 10 physicians now engage in side gigs, with nearly 75% reporting equal or greater satisfaction compared to clinical practice. This trend is not just a response to burnout; many doctors are seeking autonomy due to rigid pay structures and limited career growth opportunities. While side gigs currently make up only 10% of the average physician’s income, their importance may increase as stress and attrition rates in the medical field remain consistent.
Headshot of Dr. Naomi Lawrence-Reid
Naomi Lawrence-Reid
A Side Gig Evolves into a Full Career
One pediatrician, Dr. Naomi Lawrence-Reid, has transformed her entire career around side gigs. Her journey began when she realized the lack of career advancement opportunities within the hospital system. Witnessing disparities in pay and promotion based on gender sharpened her doubts about her future in academia.
A chair with two diapers taped over the broken armrests
Naomi Lawrence Reid
Her turning point came during an overnight shift when she had to work in a broken chair. After reporting the issue to administration, she found diapers taped to the chair as a makeshift solution. This experience led her to resign from academic medicine.
Incorporating Side Gigs for Security and Autonomy
Lawrence-Reid started exploring alternative sources of income, emphasizing the lack of financial education for physicians. By transitioning to per diem work as an independent contractor, she gained the flexibility to negotiate compensation openly, a luxury not easily attainable in large healthcare systems.
By leaving academia, Lawrence-Reid redefined her career through side gigs such as per diem shifts, veteran disability exams, expert testimony, and medical aesthetics, surpassing her traditional pediatrician salary. Inspired by her success, she launched Doctoring Differently to educate physicians on business strategies and independence.
Balancing Academic Medicine with Side Gigs
Another example is Dr. Brittne Halford, an internal medicine physician at Harvard Medical School, who combines side gigs with her academic career.
Headshot of Dr. Brittne Halford
Dr. Brittne Halford
Halford has diversified her expertise in tax strategy, financial planning, and entrepreneurship. Her Etsy store, Bramily and Rose, offers protective hair accessories, providing semi-passive income and opportunities for her daughter’s involvement.
Side Gigs as a Path to Financial Literacy
Halford’s financial knowledge led her to establish More Joy More Wealth, a financial coaching company supporting women in healthcare with tailored strategies. Through one-on-one coaching and group courses, she aims to empower others to achieve financial freedom.
Her YouTube channel serves as a platform for financial education for healthcare professionals and high-income earners, complementing her coaching services.
Expanding Side Gigs for Generational Wealth
Halford’s family ventures into real estate, including a laundromat, showcasing the potential for present and future income generation. Leveraging tax strategies, she plans to pass down these ventures to her children, creating opportunities for generational wealth.
The Significance of Side Gigs for Physicians’ Future
Physicians like Lawrence-Reid and Halford exemplify the potential of side gigs in reshaping career trajectories. By embracing alternative income sources and financial literacy, physicians can enhance their autonomy and financial stability, paving the way for a more fulfilling professional journey.
