Why Every Physical Therapist Should Start a Side Hustle
Why Every PT Should Start a Side Hustle
You became a physical therapist to help people move better, live stronger, and feel empowered. But what about your own career goals? Are you feeling stuck, burned out, or wondering if there’s more you could do with your skills?
More PTs are discovering that a side hustle isn’t just extra income — it’s a pathway to professional fulfillment, career flexibility, and long-term growth
The Current Challenges Facing PTs:
Student loan debt
Insurance reimbursement cuts
High caseloads and burnout
Limited advancement opportunities in traditional settings
Today’s healthcare environment puts PTs under increasing pressure — high patient volumes, shrinking reimbursements, and limited advancement paths can make even the most passionate therapists feel stuck. As reimbursement rates continue to decrease, producitivity expectations continue to increase and pay rates remain stagnate, now is the perfect time to start planning a side-hustle!
Common Myths About Side Hustles — Debunked
I don’t have time.→ You can start small — even 2-3 hours/week.
2. I’m not entrepreneurial. → You already have specialized, marketable skills.
3.It’s risky. → A smart side hustle reduces financial risk by adding income streams.
Think you don’t have time for a side hustle? Think again! Many PTs start with just a few hours a week — and build from there! What are you passionate about or already have experience with? Real Estate? Blogging? SEO Marketing? Many things you are passionate about can lead to amazing side-hustle ideas!
Emerald Coast Medical Housing was one of the first side hustles I launched after graduating from PT school. I had experience managing long-term rental properties before entering the PT profession and wanted a side hustle that would be less stressful and more profitable.
The business started as an Airbnb, catering to tourists in Florida’s Panhandle. However, after dealing with multiple cases of property damage from short-term vacation renters, I decided to pivot. I began looking for a more stable, sustainable market.
Destin, FL, is a busy tourist area — but it lacked affordable, short-term housing options for traveling healthcare providers and students. Most available rentals charged $2,000–$3,000 per week, leaving little of a traveler’s per diem pay after housing costs.
That’s when the idea took shape: provide affordable, short-term medical housing specifically for traveling therapists, nurses, medical students, and the occasional military contractor.
Since 2019, Emerald Coast Medical Housing has successfully supported the needs of traveling healthcare professionals — offering a stress-free, budget-friendly alternative to traditional vacation rentals.
This experience taught me an important lesson early in my career — side hustles aren’t just about extra money; they’re about creating freedom, impact, and security as a healthcare professional
What Exactly Is a Side-Hustle?
A side hustle is any professional project outside your full-time job.
For PTs, this can mean:
Mobile therapy services
Online CEU courses
Health coaching
Consulting for clinics or startups
Content creation (podcasts, blogs, courses)
A side hustle is more than just extra work — it’s an opportunity to leverage your expertise in new and meaningful ways. Whether it’s launching a mobile PT business, creating educational content, or coaching fellow clinicians, side hustles allow therapists to expand their impact beyond the clinic walls.
In 2020, I launched my second side hustle after noticing a major gap in our community: there were very few neurological physical therapy services available within a two-hour radius — and no concierge or mobile therapy options within six hours.
That’s when Homesafe Mobility Solutions was born — a mobile, concierge therapy service designed to bring high-quality neurological and mobility-focused care directly to patients who needed it most.
Since launching, Homesafe Mobility Solutions has helped fill a critical need in our underserved area, while allowing me to build a practice that aligns with my passion for accessible care.
How to Take the First Steps
Start by identifying one skill you love using. Is it patient education? Mobility programming? Teaching others? From there, brainstorm side hustle ideas that align with your interests and fit your schedule.
Make a list of your areas of expertise — this is your foundation. Next, look at the market around you and identify gaps in the services offered to your community.
Love teaching? Explore opportunities to work as an adjunct instructor at a local community college. Or, reach out to continuing education companies that serve therapists to see if you can develop and teach professional courses.
Whatever your passion, there are countless ways to build a side hustle that enhances your financial freedom and improves your quality of life.
The best side hustles grow from what you already know and love — you just need the blueprint to get started.