A career in nephrology is demanding—clinically complex, urgent and rarely predictable. Between dialysis emergencies, transplant calls and relentless inpatient consults, your schedule can feel like it’s owned by the pager. That’s why many nephrologists look for side gigs that aren’t tied to the hospital. Flexible, remote and often asynchronous roles give you a way to earn additional income without additional high-stress work.
And as a nephrologist, your skill set is marketable outside traditional practice. Whether you want to scale back clinical hours, explore pharma or consulting work or just use your medical knowledge in a lower-stress setting, there are plenty of meaningful options.
Why do nephrologists seek a side gig?
In a poll conducted by Sermo, 54% of physicians reported having a side hustle. They are motivated to take on extra work for a variety of reasons. 41% of physicians said the main benefit of a side gig is extra income, while others highlighted the opportunity to expand their network (17%) or improve their skill set (21%).
For nephrologists, several factors tend to make side gigs an attractive, and sometimes necessary, option:
Unpredictable and high call burden
Physicians’ responsibilities don’t always line up with 9-to-5 hours, making it hard to maintain any sense of routine. For some, their schedule is so consuming that a side gig isn’t feasible. “Many times I don’t have time to work for a second income,” a general practitioner writes on Sermo. But for nephrologists who can carve out space, flexible side gigs—especially remote or asynchronous ones—offer a way to earn without taking on more high-stress clinical hours. In some cases, the right role can actually improve work-life balance by giving you more control over when you work and reducing your reliance on unpredictable call-heavy shifts.
Monetizing undervalued expertise
Nephrologists possess an understanding of complex physiological processes like fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base disorders and dialysis protocols. While critical to patient care, these analytical skills are often undervalued in traditional fee-for-service billing models. Side gigs in consulting or legal review offer platforms where this expertise is not only recognized but highly compensated.
Financial disparity and goals
For physicians across specialties, the decision to pick up a side hustle is often financially driven. “I love medicine… but sometimes, you have to expand your horizons in search of a better quality of life,” a family medicine doctor writes on Sermo. A general practitioner points out that side gigs can make it “easier to pay bills, contribute to savings or assist with other expenses.”
Despite the critical nature of their work, nephrologists’ compensation can lag behind more procedure-heavy specialties. Nephrology has an average salary range of $340,000 – $390,000, putting it in the bottom third of salary ranges for 22 specialties that Sermo previously reported. This can make it challenging to achieve financial goals like paying off student debt. A side gig provides a path to supplement your income without taking on more high-stress clinical hours.
Some physicians hope to make a modest amount from side hustles, while others aim higher. A Sermo poll showed that while 40% of physicians aim to make an extra $0–$1,000 per year, 19% want to make $1,001–5,000, 19% would like to make $5,000–15,000, and the remaining 12% would like to make more.
9 side gigs for nephrologists in 2026
Physicians have found a variety of ways to make supplemental income. Based on a Sermo poll where 33% of physicians participated in medical surveys, 12% in writing, and 11% in telemedicine, remote work is popular. Here are several side gigs particularly well-suited for nephrologists:
Sermo paid medical surveys
One of the most flexible side gigs is participating in paid medical surveys. Sites like Sermo partner with life science companies, market research firms and healthcare organizations to gather insights from physicians.
By sharing perspectives on treatment decisions, patient adherence challenges, and real-world outcomes, nephrologists help shape drug development, device innovation, and care models—without stepping away from clinical practice.
Surveys are completed entirely online and typically take a few minutes to under an hour. You can complete the surveys during your downtime or between patients and earn $5 to $500+ per survey, depending on the length and complexity. Because participation requires no additional certifications, patient interaction, or long-term commitment, Sermo surveys fit easily into busy physician schedules.
Beyond supplemental income, survey participation keeps nephrologists informed about evolving treatment landscapes and upcoming innovations, allowing them to stay ahead of changes in kidney care while monetizing the expertise they already use every day.
Biotech/pharma advisory boards
Your clinical experience can translate to insights for biotech and pharmaceutical companies developing new therapies for renal diseases. By serving on an advisory board, you can influence the development of new drugs and devices, from clinical trial design to marketing strategies. These roles are often project-based, involving periodic virtual or in-person meetings.
Utilization review for insurance
Insurance companies and healthcare systems need expert physicians to review treatment plans for medical necessity and appropriateness. As a nephrologist, you can perform dialysis utilization reviews or evaluate the use of expensive CKD drugs. These remote roles involve reviewing patient charts and clinical documentation to ensure that care aligns with evidence-based guidelines.
Remote renal pathology review
If you have a strong interest in pathology, remote renal pathology review can be a compelling option. While a board-certified pathologist provides the official diagnosis, nephrologists can serve as clinical consultants, correlating biopsy findings with the patient’s clinical presentation. Note that this side gig typically requires additional training in renal pathology, such as completing dedicated renal pathology electives during fellowship, pursuing post-fellowship short courses or gaining substantial experience reviewing kidney biopsies in a multidisciplinary setting.
Medical writing
One emergency medicine doctor on Sermo shared their side hustle of choice: “I am working on the creation of medical education content and the education of medical students.” Similar roles can involve developing Continuing Medical Education (CME) materials, writing articles for peer-reviewed journals, crafting patient education materials or creating content for medical websites. This type of work is typically project-based and completely remote.
Expert witness work
Nephrologists are often called upon to serve as expert witnesses in legal cases involving medical malpractice, particularly those related to dialysis complications, transplant issues or management of acute kidney injury. This work involves reviewing medical records, preparing reports and providing testimony. A physician expert witness role can be intellectually stimulating and financially lucrative, with an average hourly rate of $105 in the U.S., according to ZipRecruiter data.
Tele-nephrology/remote CKD management
Through telehealth platforms, you can provide remote consultations for patients with CKD or offer second opinions on complex cases. These roles can be structured as part-time employment with a telehealth company or as independent consulting work. It’s ideal if you enjoy direct patient care but also value flexibility.
Public speaking
The Sermo community includes many physicians who have taken the public speaking or teaching route, such as one nephrologist who’s a speaker for pharmaceutical companies, and an occupational medicine specialist and pediatrician who both teach medical students. These engagements not only provide an additional income stream but enhance your professional reputation and expand your network.
Health informatics advisor
Some nephrologists opt to work as consultants for health IT companies or hospital systems. Your clinical perspective is vital for optimizing Electronic Health Records (EHRs) or improving the usability of dialysis information systems. This work allows you to shape the tools that you and your colleagues use every day, improving efficiency and patient safety on a large scale.
Sermo paid medical surveys as a means to reach your goals
Among the many side gigs available, participating in paid medical surveys on Sermo stands out for its convenience and immediate return. For a nephrologist, finding the time and energy for a demanding second job is often unrealistic. Sermo surveys offer a practical alternative, allowing you to earn supplemental income in the pockets of free time you already have, without any pressure to contribute on days that you’re too busy.
This supplemental income might help you pay down student loans faster, build an emergency fund or invest in further education. For some, it might mean having the financial freedom to reduce clinical hours and avoid burnout or to fund a vacation. Through surveys, you can steadily build wealth without adding to your clinical workload.
How to use side gigs to your advantage
For some, side gigs are a way to earn extra money here and there; for others, they are a necessary path to professional longevity and personal well-being. They can help you find new sources of intellectual stimulation and gain a greater sense of control over your finances.
As you continue to explore side hustles, you can take advantage of Sermo’s paid survey opportunities and network of verified physicians. Share challenging cases, discuss new research and exchange career advice with people who you can relate to.
