Are you a pharmacist looking for some easy side hustles for pharmacists to grow your income?
If your answer is yes, you are not alone. The average salary of pharmacists in the United States is $133,014, compared to $47,230, which is the mean wage in all other occupations in the U.S., but just like everyone, pharmacists worldwide are looking for ways to build generational wealth.
Many want to retire early because balancing long shifts and a demanding work environment is not easy. If you’re also in the same boat and looking for a pharmacist side hustle that will still leave room for balancing your professional and personal, then keep reading.
A pharmacist has in-depth healthcare knowledge and problem-solving abilities that can easily open doors to various amazing side hustles for pharmacists besides working a full-time job.
A perfect pharmacist side hustle will not only offer a way to earn extra money on the side, but it will also offer flexibility and an option to explore interests outside of the traditional pharmacy work. So, if you are ready, let’s discuss some of the best easy side hustle ideas for pharmacists that can help you achieve financial freedom and career flexibility.
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Why Pharmacists Should Consider Side Hustles?
Being a pharmacist comes with a reputation for stability and high earning potential. Yet, despite the high salary figures, many pharmacists find themselves questioning their career paths. Why?
This is because it’s not just about the money. It’s about the cost of earning it. Pharmacists often face long hours on their feet, trying to balance the workload alongside meeting the performance metrics that create another kind of pressure.
On top of that, there is another factor, the emotional toll that this job takes on you as a pharmacist. This emotional toll or stress could be because of several reasons like dealing with patients in distress or insurance hurdles and this in turn causes burnout.
Despite the high pay, there is no work-life balance and this leaves the pharmacists craving for something creative that can break their monotonous routine and make them feel relaxed.
This is where the side hustle for pharmacists becomes appealing. A good side hustle will allow a pharmacist to:
- Earn more in less time without leaving them tired.
- Add to their income.
- Allow them to explore their passions.
- Open door for different career paths in the future.
If you also feel the same pain and want to get out of this mental and emotional torture, then choose a pharmacist side hustle that allows you to do what you love without feeling burnt out.
Criteria for a Great Pharmacist Side Hustle
There is a criterion for a pharmacist side hustle that you should consider when choosing a side hustle. You should keep the following in mind:
- Your side hustle should offer flexibility and should not require you to work an insane amount of hours after your job.
- It should have a higher ROI in comparison to the time you spend doing it. Time is your asset so it must be invested in such a way that the return is higher.
- The pharmacist side hustle should have low startup costs and top of all, it should be able to use your knowledge and skills so that you don’t have to learn anything new.
Top 10 Pharmacist Side Hustle Ideas
Following are some of the best side hustles for pharmacists that you can start right away. These side hustles won’t make you feel tired. They require creativity and will use your pharmacy experience and skills giving you the ease to start them without having to learn anything new.
1. Freelance Medical Writing
Pharmacists have an in-depth knowledge of medicine and different medical topics. This is a perfect opportunity for you to start freelance medical writing. You can write for medical blogs, journals, or pharmaceutical companies.
You will be responsible for writing articles, drug reviews, or patient education materials. The best part is that since writing this content requires specific medical expertise, the pay rate is higher.
You can easily find work on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and different freelancing platforms and job websites that regularly post pharmacist jobs. According to
a medical writer who has started their journey can earn between $23-$50 an hour.
Pros:
- There is a demand for well-researched content that every writer can not fulfill.
- The deadlines are flexible and make it easy to work around your schedule.
- With time you can establish yourself as an expert in the field and charge even higher rates.
Cons:
- You need to have strong writing skills and time for research.
- It can take some time to find clients and build credibility.
2. Online Tutoring or Coaching
Teaching can be another rewarding side hustle for pharmacists, especially if you enjoy sharing your knowledge with the world. You can help pharmacy students in preparing for their exams or you can also provide mentoring to aspiring pharmacists who are busy navigating their careers.
The potential is insane. This pharmacist side hustle can pay you extremely well. You can charge higher rates during exam seasons.
Pros:
- You already have the skills needed to teach.
- The earning potential is great.
Cons:
- It requires you to have some amazing communication skills and patience to deal with the student’s questions.
- You may need to learn about new learning styles before starting your journey.
3. Health and Wellness Consulting
Many people need some guidance that can help them in managing their health. Pharmacists are great for this role. They can easily provide advice on topics like nutrition, supplements, and chronic disease management.
You can easily find this work on different telehealth and consultation websites such as BetterHelp, HealthProfs, or Zocdoc. They can also offer their service on freelancing platforms and can even use social media to advertise their services.
On the other hand, you can partner with local wellness centers, gyms, and health clubs to offer one-on-one consultation. You should also create a separate website to show your expertise.
Pros:
- There is a higher earning potential with flexible working hours in this pharmacist side hustle.
- You can easily build a strong professional network in health and wellness.
Cons:
- It may require you to have some certifications in different areas such as nutrition.
- You will need to consistently promote your services to attract clients.
4. Retail Arbitrage
Rental arbitrage involves purchasing discounted health products and reselling them online on different platforms for profit. You can also do this and sell these products on Amazon and eBay.
Pros:
- It requires minimal startup costs and has a low barrier to entry.
- There is no advanced skill that you need to learn before starting this.
Cons:
- It is time-consuming to source products and manage inventory.
- The profit margins will vary depending on the products you have chosen and the competition level.
5. Developing Continuing Education (CE) Courses
We all know the amount of studies pharmacists have to do to earn their degree. As a result, they have a wealth of knowledge that can be shared with peers through continuing education (CE) courses.
These courses are in high demand because they can help pharmacists meet licensure requirements and stay updated on what is latest in pharmacy practices.
You can partner with organizations like Medscape or PharmCon to create CE content. You can also list your services on freelance platforms like Upwork or LinkedIn ProFinder. Lastly, you can easily reach out to pharmacy schools or professional associations, such as the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), to offer your expertise and work with them.
Pros:
- It will help build your reputation in the field.
- It can also work as a source of passive income.
The hours are flexible and on top of that, you just need a pharmacy background which makes this pharmacist side hustle idea one of the best of all.
Cons:
- It requires you to have strong writing and instructional design skills.
- You need to have an initial investment to develop the materials.
6. Telepharmacy
Telepharmacy is a pharmacist side hustle that allows you to provide remote consultation services, such as medication therapy management (MTM), counseling, or chronic disease mentoring. This is a great side hustle as this aligns with your expertise.
You can find work on platforms like PipelineRx, Teladoc Health, or MDLIVE. These platforms often hire tele-pharmacists. You can also join different job boards such as Indeed or PharmacistJobCafe.
Pros:
- There is a higher earning potential and you don’t need to be physically present.
- The hours are flexible and there is a growing demand for remote healthcare services.
Cons:
- You may need to have specialized software or certifications, such as MTM credentials.
- You may need to comply with different state-specific telehealth regulations
7. Pharmacogenomics
It is a service that combines pharmacy expertise with genetics to offer personalized drug therapies. Genetic testing is becoming more accessible so pharmacists can easily play an important role in tailoring the treatment to patients’ unique genetic needs.
As a pharmacist, you can partner with companies like 23andMe and Color Genomics. You can also offer consultations directly through your practice.
Pros:
- This field has a potential for higher growth.
- Pharmacist can expand their skill sets into genetics
Cons:
- You will need additional training or certifications in this specific field.
- There is still limited awareness among patients and the providers will need more education efforts to spread awareness.
This pharmacist side hustle is one of a kind because of its unique qualities and immense potential for growth and earning.
8. Affiliate Marketing for Healthcare Products
This involves promoting healthcare products such as supplements, medical equipment, or different wellness tools, online. Pharmacists can recommend trusted brands and earn commissions.
You can join different affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates, iHerb, etc. Create a blog or YouTube channel that is focused on healthcare and share healthcare advice and product links. You can easily promote these products through social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.
Pros:
- There are minimal startup costs.
- The working schedule is great as you can work at your own desired time.
- A great source to earn passive income online.
Cons:
- You will need to have some marketing skills or a unique approach to attract clients.
- The niche is very competitive so you must have a unique way to stand out.
9. Provide Financial Coaching
Many young medical students struggle with student loans and other debts. They have no financial literacy or roadmap that can help them out of this pit hole. You can work as a financial coach and help these young peers or graduates escape this mess.
You can offer financial coaching services on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn ProFinder. Another way is to join pharmacist-specific Facebook groups or LinkedIn communities to promote your services. You can also partner with organizations that support healthcare professionals in achieving financial literacy.
Pros:
- There is a high demand among peers who are looking for advice on loans, retirement planning, and wealth building.
- You can charge premium rates after you have built some credibility in this field.
Cons:
- You will need time to market and attract new clients.
- You will need to know about personal finance and investing.
10. Start a Blog or YouTube Channel
Now, this is another creative pharmacist side hustle that can pay extremely well depending on your following and work as a passive income source. You can start a blog or create a YouTube channel where you can share content such as drug reviews, tips to get through medical school, interview tips, nutrition guides, and career-related advice.
You can earn through affiliate marketing, ad revenue, and sponsored content where you can easily partner with pharmaceutical brands. This pharmacist side hustle can even replace your full-time job if it grows.
Pros:
- You need minimum costs to start and you get the creative freedom to do what you are passionate about.
- You will be able to build a personal brand that can open doors for other opportunities.
Cons:
- You will need to create content consistently to be able to earn and keep your audience engaged.
- It can take up to 6 months to build a following to be able to earn.
How to Get Started with Your First Side Hustle
When you are choosing a pharmacist side hustle for the first time, it can easily be overwhelming considering you have a thousand questions racing through your mind. Questions like “What if I fail?” can be daunting and rightly so.
You should break this process into smaller steps:
Start by assessing your skills and interests. Assess your experience and skills and then consider what you enjoy doing. Do you love writing, teaching, coaching, etc?
Then choose a low-risk side hustle. By this, we mean to opt for a side hustle for pharmacists that doesn’t require a huge upfront investment like telepharmacy, or health and wellness consulting.
Use online platforms like LinkedIn to network with potential clients. You can also use freelancing platforms and join some pharmacist-focused forums to learn about different trending side hustles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pharmacists do side hustles?
Yes, pharmacists can do side hustles. They have expertise in healthcare and medicine, so they are well-positioned for side gigs like medical writing, health consulting, or teaching, which also allows for flexibility and extra income without compromising their primary job.
What are easy side hustles for pharmacists?
Some easy side hustles for pharmacists include freelance medical writing, online tutoring for pharmacy students, or offering health and wellness consulting. These pharmacist side hustle ideas can be started with minimal investments.
Can pharmacists work as freelance consultants?
Yes, pharmacists can work as freelance consultants. In this pharmacist side hustle, they will be offering advice on medication therapy management, health and wellness, or even career coaching for aspiring pharmacists. Freelance platforms or personal websites are great places to sign up and find work.
What side hustle is best for a busy pharmacist?
If you are a busy pharmacist, you should choose low-commitment side hustles like freelance medical writing, telepharmacy consultations, or selling pharmacy-related educational content online. These options allow you to work at your own pace while using your expertise.
Start Making Money Today
These are just some side hustles for pharmacists specifically. These are all related to pharmacy and will let you earn consistently on the side. With the rising inflation, everyone is looking for side hustles to boost their income.
There are tons of side hustles besides these that can be easily done and are not overly saturated. If you are interested in creative side hustles that go beyond pharmacist side hustle ideas, consider reading these side hustle ideas for 2025.
This article has both types of side hustles: online and offline. The majority of these side hustles can also be done from the comfort of your home making them a perfect choice for you to work on after your full-time job.
So, are you ready to try something new? Consider one of these side hustles for pharmacists today. Pick an idea that excites you and goes well with your skills, and take the first step.