Moonlighting as a Doctor: How to Earn More While Managing Your Career
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Physicians
Compensation
Industry Insights
What Is Physician Moonlighting?
Physician moonlighting refers to taking on paid clinical work outside of a physician’s full-time role or training program. These additional shifts are typically completed during evenings, weekends, or scheduled time off, allowing physicians to earn extra income without leaving their primary position.
Moonlighting is distinct from locum tenens work, which usually involves temporary, full-time assignments at different facilities. Instead, moonlighting allows physicians to stay rooted in their current roles while exploring flexible opportunities on the side.
Some physicians turn to moonlighting to supplement their income or manage student loan debt. Others pursue it to build new clinical skills, explore different care environments, or prepare for future transitions in their career.
How Common Is Physician Moonlighting? Updated Data and Trends
According to the 2021 Medical Economics Physician Report, about one in three physicians earned additional income outside of their primary role in 2020, pointing to a growing reliance on moonlighting and related side work. The amount physicians earned through this work varied widely by specialty. In 2020 Pediatricians brought in the highest average secondary income at $62,000, followed by family medicine at $53,000, internal medicine at $46,000, and OB/GYNs at $38,000.
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In terms of how physicians earn this extra income, moonlighting often extends beyond just clinical shifts. Among those with secondary income, 17% reported non-medical work such as consulting or public speaking as their primary side activity.
The top 10 sources of additional income for physicians:
- Consulting
- Non-medical employment
- Expert witness services
- Clinic work
- Medical administration
- Speaking engagements
- Participation in clinical trials or research
- Emergency department or urgent care shifts
- Hospital work (excluding emergency department
- Hospice services
Opportunities for Moonlighting
1. Telemedicine
Telehealth has made it easier than ever for physicians to moonlight from home. Many platforms offer flexible pay-per-visit arrangements across. Because telemedicine generally requires only a computer and a license in the patient’s state, it’s one of the most accessible moonlighting routes available
2. Clinical Moonlighting
This is the most traditional form of moonlighting. It involves taking on extra clinical shifts outside of one’s full-time job, often during evenings, weekends, or scheduled time off. Common clinical moonlighting settings include:
- Urgent care centers
- Inpatient hospital coverage
- Emergency departments
- Hospice or palliative care organizations
- Correctional facilities or occupational health clinics
These opportunities are especially common among internal medicine, emergency medicine, and primary care physicians.
3. Locum Tenens
Some physicians pick up short-term locum tenens assignments as a moonlighting option. While many locums roles are full-time, others are weekend-based or part-time, making them ideal for moonlighting. This
3. Locum Tenens
Some physicians pick up short-term locum tenens assignments as a moonlighting option. While many locums roles are full-time, others are weekend-based or part-time, making them ideal for moonlighting. This
route allows physicians to travel, earn premium pay, and explore new clinical settings without long-term commitment.
4. Consulting and Non-Clinical Work
Moonlighting doesn’t have to involve direct patient care. Physicians can also earn extra income through:
4. Consulting and Non-Clinical Work
Moonlighting doesn’t have to involve direct patient care. Physicians can also earn extra income through:
- Chart review and utilization management
- Expert witness testimony
- Clinical trial participation
- Health tech or startup advising
- Speaking engagements or academic work
This type of moonlighting is especially appealing to physicians seeking variety or aiming to transition into non-clinical roles.
5. Academic and Research Opportunities
For physicians with an interest in education or scholarship, academic and research moonlighting can offer both financial and professional rewards. Many medical schools and teaching hospitals welcome practicing physicians to take on part-time teaching roles. These may include supervising clinical rotations, delivering lectures, or serving as adjunct faculty members.
5. Academic and Research Opportunities
For physicians with an interest in education or scholarship, academic and research moonlighting can offer both financial and professional rewards. Many medical schools and teaching hospitals welcome practicing physicians to take on part-time teaching roles. These may include supervising clinical rotations, delivering lectures, or serving as adjunct faculty members.
In addition to teaching, physicians can contribute to medical research on a moonlighting basis. This could involve assisting with clinical trials, collaborating on research teams, or contributing to grant-funded studies. Some physicians also engage in academic writing, peer review, or continuing medical education (CME) content development.
The Benefits of Moonlighting
Additional revenue stream:
Moonlighting provides a valuable income boost for physicians looking to pay down debt, save for major goals, or increase financial stability. With flexible options like urgent care, hospital shifts, and telemedicine, many doctors can earn extra without disrupting their full-time roles.
Career growth and versatility:
It also supports professional growth. Physicians may gain exposure to new settings, refine skills, or explore different practice models. For early-career doctors, it’s a way to test future career paths without long-term commitments. Some also find personal fulfillment in moonlighting, especially when working with underserved communities or stepping into roles that feel mission driven. It’s not just about income — it can deepen a physician’s impact and confidence.
Personal Fulfillment:
Some also find personal fulfillment in moonlighting, especially when working with underserved communities or stepping into roles that feel mission driven.
The Drawbacks of Moonlighting
Overdoing it:
Fatigue is one of the biggest risks. Adding extra shifts to an already full schedule can lead to burnout and affect performance in a primary job. Over time, the physical and emotional toll can be significant. Moonlighting can also disrupt work-life balance. Weekend or evening hours may cut into personal time and family commitments, leading to long-term strain outside of work.
Administrative hurdles:
There are administrative hurdles too. Physicians may need separate malpractice coverage, additional state licenses, and approval from employers to moonlight legally. Without careful planning, these logistics can create complications or even contract violations. According to the 2023 Physician compensation report 33% of physicians answered no when asked if their employment allows them to moonlight.
Ethical and Legal Considerations of Physician Moonlighting
1. Employment Contracts and Exclusivity Clauses
Many physicians are bound by employment contracts that restrict outside work. These may include exclusivity clauses, which prohibit any form of clinical or non-clinical work beyond your primary position. Even if moonlighting is allowed, contracts often require prior written approval or notification. Always review your agreement carefully and clarify any unclear terms with your employer or legal advisor before accepting a secondary role.
2. Licensing and Credentialing Requirements
Working in a new facility or across state lines requires proper licensure and credentialing. Each state has its own licensing rules, and failing to comply can lead to disciplinary action. In hospital or clinic settings, credentialing can take weeks or months, so it’s important to plan. You must also ensure you’re practicing within your scope and meeting all documentation and supervision standards required by the facility or governing board.
Working in a new facility or across state lines requires proper licensure and credentialing. Each state has its own licensing rules, and failing to comply can lead to disciplinary action. In hospital or clinic settings, credentialing can take weeks or months, so it’s important to plan. You must also ensure you’re practicing within your scope and meeting all documentation and supervision standards required by the facility or governing board.
3. Patient Safety and Clinical Judgment
Ethically, patient care should never be compromised due to moonlighting. Physicians must be honest with themselves about their energy levels, availability, and capacity. Fatigue from working extra shifts can impair clinical judgment and lead to mistakes that affect both moonlighting and primary patients. If moonlighting begins to interfere with your ability to provide safe, high-quality care, it may be time to scale back.
Ethically, patient care should never be compromised due to moonlighting. Physicians must be honest with themselves about their energy levels, availability, and capacity. Fatigue from working extra shifts can impair clinical judgment and lead to mistakes that affect both moonlighting and primary patients. If moonlighting begins to interfere with your ability to provide safe, high-quality care, it may be time to scale back.
4. Separation of Roles and Resources
Physicians must maintain strict boundaries between their main role and any side work. Using your full-time employer’s resources, such as patient lists, EHR systems, or administrative staff — for moonlighting is both unethical and likely a breach of policy. Keep all documentation, scheduling, and communication separate, and ensure both employers are aware of your external commitments.
Physicians must maintain strict boundaries between their main role and any side work. Using your full-time employer’s resources, such as patient lists, EHR systems, or administrative staff — for moonlighting is both unethical and likely a breach of policy. Keep all documentation, scheduling, and communication separate, and ensure both employers are aware of your external commitments.
Is Moonlighting Right for You?
For physicians, moonlighting can be a smart way to earn extra income, broaden clinical experience, or explore new paths without leaving a full-time role. With options ranging from clinical shifts to research and consulting, it offers flexibility and professional growth. Still, it’s not without challenges. Fatigue, legal restrictions, and work-life balance concerns all need careful consideration. The most successful moonlighters are those who plan, know their limits, and align opportunities with their long-term goals.
