9 Side Hustles For Physical Therapists in 2024 (PT Tested)
Last Updated on July 26, 2024 by John Cirelly
Being a physical therapist can be incredibly rewarding, but also financially and physically challenging. If you’re looking to earn more alongside your PT career, check out these 9 proven side hustles for physical therapists.
1. Leverage Your Knowledge on Sermo
Sermo is one of the simplest and highest-paying ways to leverage your physical therapy expertise from home. By joining Sermo, you can earn money by participating in surveys and discussions.
Getting Started
To get started with Sermo, sign up on their website and create a profile. Ensure your profile highlights your credentials and experience in physical therapy. Once your profile is complete, you can start participating in surveys and discussions related to your field. The more you engage, the more opportunities you’ll receive. Check your email regularly for invitations to high-paying surveys.
What You’ll Earn
As a physical therapist, you can earn between $20 to $150 per survey, depending on its length and complexity. Payments are usually made through PayPal or gift cards. It typically takes a few days to a week after completing a survey to receive payment. Regular participation can significantly boost your monthly income.
2. Offer Telemedicine Services on Wheel
Wheel offers telemedicine services as an effective side hustle for physical therapists. It allows you to provide care and consultations to patients remotely.
Getting Started
To get started with Wheel, visit their website and apply to become a provider. You’ll need to submit your credentials and undergo a verification process. Once approved, you can start accepting patients and providing telehealth consultations. You can choose your availability, making it easy to fit into your schedule. Wheel connects you with patients who need your expertise.
What You’ll Earn
Physical therapists can earn around $50 to $80 per hour through Wheel. Payments are usually made bi-weekly through direct deposit. The exact rate can vary based on the type of consultations and your experience level. With regular hours, this can become a substantial additional income.
3. Freelance as a Health Writer
Freelancing as a health writer allows physical therapists to use their knowledge to create content for various platforms. It’s a flexible side hustle that can be done from anywhere.
Getting Started
To start freelancing as a health writer, create a portfolio showcasing your writing skills and expertise in physical therapy. Websites like Upwork, Freelancer, and ProBlogger have listings for health writers. Pitch your services to health blogs, magazines, and websites that focus on physical therapy and wellness. Join writing communities and networks to find more opportunities and get feedback on your work.
What You’ll Earn
Health writers typically earn between $0.10 to $1 per word, depending on the complexity and research required. Payments are usually made through PayPal or direct deposit after the completion of assignments. The payment timeline can vary, but it’s common to receive payment within a month. Regular writing gigs can significantly increase your earnings over time.
4. Become a Rehab/Clinical Liaison
Becoming a rehab or clinical liaison is a great side hustle for physicians. It involves coordinating patient care and ensuring smooth transitions between healthcare settings.
Getting Started
To get started, look for job openings on healthcare job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Tailor your resume to highlight your experience in patient care and coordination. Network with healthcare facilities and join professional associations to find more opportunities. Some positions may require additional certifications, so check the requirements before applying.
What You’ll Earn
Physicians working as rehab or clinical liaisons can earn between $60,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on the facility and location. Payments are typically made bi-weekly or monthly through direct deposit. This role can provide a steady and significant addition to your primary income, especially if done part-time.
5. Offer Test Prep Tutoring For Aspiring Physical Therapists
Offering test prep tutoring for aspiring physical therapists is a rewarding side hustle. You can help students prepare for exams like the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination).
Getting Started
To get started, create a profile on tutoring websites like Wyzant or Varsity Tutors. Highlight your credentials and experience as a physical therapist. Promote your services through social media and physical therapy student forums. You can also reach out to local physical therapy schools to offer your tutoring services. Ensure you have study materials and practice tests to help your students prepare effectively.
What You’ll Earn
Physical therapists can charge between $30 to $75 per hour for tutoring sessions. Payments are usually made through the tutoring platform or directly via PayPal. The frequency of payment depends on the platform’s policy, but it’s typically processed weekly or bi-weekly. Consistent tutoring sessions can result in a substantial side income.
6. Consult For EHR Implementations
Consulting for EHR (Electronic Health Records) implementations is a lucrative side hustle for physical therapists. It involves advising healthcare facilities on how to set up and optimize their EHR systems.
Getting Started
To get started, join professional networks like LinkedIn and healthcare IT forums to connect with potential clients. Highlight your expertise in EHR systems and physical therapy. Obtain certifications in EHR systems like Epic or Cerner if needed. Look for consulting opportunities on job boards or by contacting healthcare facilities directly. Offer your services to small practices that may need help with EHR implementations.
What You’ll Earn
Consultants in this field can earn between $50 to $100 per hour. Payments are typically made through direct deposit or checks, depending on the agreement with the client. Payment timelines can vary, but many consultants receive payment within 30 days of completing a project. Regular consulting gigs can significantly enhance your income.
7. Freelance as a Subject Matter Expert
Freelancing as a subject matter expert (SME) allows physical therapists to share their expertise with various organizations. This can involve creating content, advising on projects, or participating in expert panels.
Getting Started
To start freelancing as an SME, sign up on platforms like Clarity.fm and Maven, where experts are hired for their knowledge. Create a detailed profile highlighting your qualifications and experience in physical therapy. Network within your industry to find additional opportunities. Offer your services to educational institutions, publishers, and healthcare companies looking for expert input.
What You’ll Earn
Subject matter experts can earn between $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the project and expertise required. Payments are usually processed through the platform or directly via bank transfer. Payment schedules can vary, but typically, you receive payment within a few weeks of completing a task. Consistent engagements can provide a significant boost to your earnings.
8. Start a Health Podcast
Starting a health podcast allows physical therapists to share their knowledge and reach a wider audience. It’s a flexible side hustle that can generate income through sponsorships and ads.
Getting Started
To start a health podcast, choose a niche within physical therapy that you are passionate about. Purchase basic recording equipment and software. Plan your episodes and create a content schedule. Host your podcast on platforms like Anchor or Podbean, which distribute your content to major podcast directories. Promote your podcast through social media and physical therapy forums to attract listeners.
What You’ll Earn
Podcasters can earn between $10 to $50 per 1,000 downloads through sponsorships and ads. Payments are typically made monthly through PayPal or bank transfer. It can take a few months to build a substantial listener base and start earning significant income. Consistency and quality content are key to increasing your earnings over time.
9. Start a Health YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel allows physical therapists to share their expertise through video content. It’s a flexible and creative side hustle that can generate income through ads and sponsorships.
Getting Started
To get started, choose a specific area within physical therapy that you want to focus on. Invest in a good camera and microphone for high-quality videos. Create and edit videos using software like Adobe Premiere Pro or iMovie. Upload your videos to YouTube and optimize them with relevant titles, descriptions, and tags. Promote your channel on social media and physical therapy forums to grow your audience.
What You’ll Earn
YouTube channels can earn money through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Earnings vary widely, but you can expect to make about $3 to $5 per 1,000 views from ads. Payments are made monthly through YouTube’s payment system. Building a substantial audience takes time, but consistent and engaging content can lead to significant income.
Where Do PT’s Make The Most Money?
Physical therapists make the most money in metropolitan areas with high demand for healthcare services. According to recent statistics, cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York offer some of the highest salaries, often exceeding $90,000 per year.
Specialized fields within physical therapy, such as sports medicine or geriatrics, can also command higher pay. Additionally, working in private practices or outpatient care centers tends to offer better salaries compared to hospital settings. Pursuing advanced certifications and specialties can further boost earning potential.
How To Transition Out Of Physical Therapy?
Transitioning out of physical therapy can open up new career opportunities that leverage your existing skills. Many physical therapists move into roles like healthcare administration, where their knowledge of patient care and medical operations is highly valuable. Others find success in healthcare technology, working on EHR implementation or medical device sales, where their clinical expertise is crucial.
Education and training roles, such as teaching at a university or developing training programs for healthcare staff, are also common paths. Consider consulting or advisory positions in healthcare firms where your insights can drive strategic decisions.
