Subject Matter Expert Work for Physicians: Compensation & Getting Started
Based on data from 8 physicians on OffCall
What Physicians Earn from Subject Matter Expert Work
Typical Compensation: $15,000–$50,000/year Compensation Range:
- Top earners: $190,000+
- Time Commitment: 1–12 hours per week typically Data reflects 2025 responses from OffCall physicians
What Is Subject Matter Expert Work?
Subject matter expert (SME) work involves advising companies, publishers, or educational platforms on content, clinical accuracy, and professional standards. This can include reviewing medical course materials, contributing to question banks, editing health-related publications, or advising product teams on clinical workflows.
Physicians bring credibility and practical insight to these projects, which often span medical education, digital health, AI training, or healthcare product design. The work is typically asynchronous, remote, and deadline-driven—making it a flexible and low-stress complement to clinical practice.
A common misconception is that SME work is only for academics or full-time educators. In reality, many companies look for practicing clinicians to ensure content is clinically sound and grounded in real-world workflows.
Who This Side Gig Works Best For
Ideal Candidates:
- Physicians with deep subject knowledge or teaching experience
- Attention to detail and comfort reviewing educational or technical content
- Strong writing and editing skills
- Ability to meet deadlines and work independently
Less Ideal For:
- Physicians seeking hands-on or patient-facing roles
- Those who struggle with abstract tasks or content reviews
- Clinicians with minimal interest in education or tech-driven projects
How to Get Started
To find SME roles, check medical education companies (e.g., Kaplan, UWorld, AMBOSS), healthcare startups, and health tech platforms looking for clinical advisors. Opportunities also surface through networking, LinkedIn, or physician job boards that occasionally list SME consulting needs.
Your CV should emphasize relevant expertise (board exam experience, teaching, or writing). A sample of previous content review or editorial work can help position you as a strong candidate, especially in education-focused SME roles.
What to Charge
Rates vary significantly depending on the complexity and scope of the work. Based on OffCall data, SME roles paying $15,000–$50,000/year typically require 3–10 hours per week. Niche consulting roles or more technical SME projects can reach $100,000+ with sustained engagement.
Clarify whether compensation is hourly, per deliverable, or retainer-based. Be cautious of projects that undervalue your expertise or expect unpaid “sample reviews” during the application phase.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Misjudging project scope: SMEs often underestimate how long content review or development takes—track your hours and set boundaries.
- Accepting vague expectations: Get clear deliverables and timelines upfront. Last-minute scope creep is common in content-driven work.
- Working below market rate: Many early offers come in low—don’t hesitate to negotiate, especially if the project requires deep clinical expertise.
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