21 Top Side Gigs for Medical Students: Earn Extra Income While in Med School

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      What are the ideal side hustles for medical students?

      Given the high costs of medical school—ranging from $40,000 to $68,000 annually—it's understandable to seek opportunities to earn money that accommodate your class schedule and other responsibilities.

      As a future doctor, your career path may seem clear, but there are numerous ways to earn income in the short term while prioritizing your medical education.

      We have curated this list of side hustles for medical students based on:

      - Schedule flexibility

      - Earning potential

      - Feedback from over 100,000 side hustlers

      Ready? Let’s get started!

      1. **Tutoring**

      Did you excel on your MCAT? Are you outperforming in your pre-med classes? Starting a tutoring business might be a fantastic way to earn extra income while helping others achieve their ambitions! As a medical student, you possess specialized knowledge and skills that can assist others in realizing their dreams of becoming a doctor.

      Begin by providing one-on-one tutoring sessions to medical students and pre-meds. Well-known platforms like Wyzant and The Princeton Review can connect you with potential clients. Alternatively, you could conduct online tutoring sessions via Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom.

      There's no need for startup costs in tutoring, and you can earn between $50-250 per hour. Start modestly with a basic website and a few clients, and expand your business from there.

      2. **Support with Med School Admissions**

      For years, my friend Dr. Ryan Gray has aided students with the medical school admissions process. He creates online content about admissions and offers expert one-on-one and group consulting. Dr. Shirag Shemmassian similarly established a multi-six-figure business helping students with their personal statements and applications. At $4k+ per client, you don’t need many clients to turn this into a substantial side hustle!

      3. **Reselling Furniture Returns**

      Reselling furniture returns presents a unique, low-risk side hustle for medical students during their free time. You can join Sharetown as a local "reverse logistics" representative. Sharetown partners with direct-to-consumer mattress and furniture brands to manage their return requests. When customers choose not to keep an item, you will be called to pick it up. After cleaning and photographing the item, you can list it for resale on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.

      Sharetown representatives aim for $150-250 per flip, and the best part is you don’t pay for the inventory until it sells. Check out my full Sharetown review for more details.

      4. **Freelance Writing**

      Freelancing offers a flexible way to earn extra income from home. There are various writing types such as medical writing and medical copywriting.

      You can search for medical freelance writing jobs on:

      - Job boards

      - Freelance platforms like Upwork

      - Websites dedicated to medical writing jobs

      - Health websites and more

      For online health sites, you might inquire if they need freelance writers. You can also peruse online databases of healthcare job openings. Freelance writing can be quite lucrative, especially if you write quickly. Typical rates range from $0.05 to $0.35 per word, meaning a 1,000-word article could pay between $50 and $350. For more information, refer to this free blueprint from the American Writers and Artists Institute.

      5. **Conduct Group Classes or Workshops**

      Some med students offer group fitness classes or educational workshops in the evenings. For instance, if you're specializing in orthopedics, you could hold a class on injury prevention or rehabilitation post-surgery. A friend of mine managed a series of outdoor “boot camps” after work, earning about $100 per hour. Additionally, various sports leagues may require coaches and officials that fit into your schedule.

      6. **Flipping Books or Textbooks**

      Flipping books is a well-liked side hustle for many, but students have the advantage. Textbooks often fetch high prices online, and you’re already close to the source.

      This gig requires downloading a barcode scanner app, such as ScoutIQ (paid) or Bookscouter (free), to see what books are selling for on Amazon and other marketplaces. You can find inventory through friends, local library stores, yard sales, and used bookstores. One guest on the Side Hustle Show indicated he earned up to $4,000 monthly through his book flipping adventures!

      7. **Online Surveys**

      While they won’t make you rich, online surveys provide a simple way to earn some extra cash. You can complete these at your convenience, such as while waiting in line or