13 Passive Income Ideas For Occupational Therapists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a occupational therapist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a occupational therapist today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a occupational therapist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could start an online course sales business to share your specialized knowledge and skills. By creating courses on topics like rehabilitation techniques, adaptive equipment, or home exercise programs, you could help other therapists, caregivers, and even patients themselves. This approach not only provides value to others but also allows you to generate passive income while leveraging your expertise.
You could select a platform like Teachable or Udemy to host your course, making it accessible to a wide audience without additional work. Creating and selling an online course can fit into your current schedule, and once set up, it can continue to earn money with minimal ongoing effort. With the e-learning market growing rapidly, this could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and share your passion for occupational therapy.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
2. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way for you as an occupational therapist to supplement your income and share your expertise. By creating and producing audio content on topics you’re passionate about, you could reach a large audience interested in occupational therapy, patient care, or health and well-being.
To get started, you would first choose a niche or topic that resonates with your professional experiences and has a potential audience. This might be discussing innovative therapy techniques, sharing client success stories, or offering advice to caregivers. With just basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform, you could begin publishing episodes and promoting them through social media and online communities.
By building a dedicated audience, you could eventually attract sponsors or advertisers, providing you with a stream of passive income while doing something you enjoy and expanding your professional influence.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
3. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As an occupational therapist, starting a YouTube channel could be a fantastic way to share your expertise, offer valuable advice, and connect with a broader audience. You could create videos that address common patient concerns, demonstrate therapy exercises, or offer tips for improving daily living skills. By doing so, you not only help people but also build a loyal following, which can lead to generating revenue through ads, sponsorships, and potentially selling related merchandise.
You might also find joy in sharing behind-the-scenes vlogs of your daily routine or educational content that delves deeper into the field of occupational therapy. The key here is to consistently upload quality content and interact with your viewers, which in turn can grow your subscriber base and increase your earning potential. While it will require some effort and creativity, starting a YouTube channel could be a fulfilling and profitable side hustle that enhances both your personal and professional life.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
4. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could start a niche blog focused on your area of expertise, offering invaluable insights and advice to others in your field. You might share how-to guides, top product lists for therapeutic tools, or even personal stories and tips on handling specific cases. This kind of content could resonate deeply with a passionate online community of fellow therapists, caregivers, and patients looking for specialized knowledge.
Additionally, you could monetize your blog by incorporating affiliate links for therapeutic products or partnering with relevant brands to review their items. Over time, as your blog gains visibility and followers, you might even have opportunities to speak at events or collaborate with other experts in the field. This not only creates additional income streams but also establishes you as a thought leader, further increasing your blog's reach and impact.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
5. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could leverage your expertise in health and wellness by starting a health and wellness app. This app could offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, and mental well-being exercises, all designed to help users achieve their health goals effectively. Imagine guiding users through yoga practices or meal plans tailored to their individual needs, much like you would with your patients, but through a digital platform.
Building this app could involve market research, collaboration with other health experts, and app development. While this might seem daunting, the potential to positively impact lives and enter a growing market could make it a worthwhile venture. If you're passionate about health and technology, creating a health and wellness app could be an excellent way to combine these interests and earn passive income.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Starting a mobile app could be an exciting way to supplement your income as an occupational therapist. You could create an app that addresses specific needs in your field, such as tools for patient assessments, therapy exercises, or progress tracking. This would not only provide immense value to other therapists and their patients but also generate revenue through app sales or subscriptions.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. If you have a clear vision, you could either learn some basic coding skills or hire a developer to bring your idea to life. The key tasks will be planning how users will interact with your app, designing it so it's easy to use, and making sure it works smoothly.
Apps have become a huge part of everyday life, offering endless possibilities for innovative solutions. By focusing on an app that solves a real problem or enhances the therapy experience, your creation could become a valuable tool for many people, potentially earning you substantial passive income in the process.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
7. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could leverage your expertise to create an email marketing tool aimed at healthcare professionals or patients. By developing a platform that shares valuable insights, therapy tips, or wellness strategies, you might build a large subscriber base interested in your specialized content. This could eventually lead to a steady stream of passive income through subscriptions or advertisements.
Starting an email marketing tool does not require extensive technical knowledge; you could begin by purchasing a domain and hosting account. Over time, as your audience grows, you might collaborate with other healthcare providers, clinics, or wellness brands, expanding your reach and increasing your revenue potential. This approach can supplement your income while allowing you to continue helping people improve their health and well-being.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
8. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could start a print-on-demand business to supplement your income with ease. This business model allows you to sell custom products like apparel, home goods, and phone cases without the need for inventory, making it a low-risk venture. By leveraging platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, you could reach a global audience right from your home.
You could focus on designing products that resonate with your professional knowledge and creativity. For instance, you could create and sell items featuring motivational quotes, ergonomic tips, or even occupational therapy-themed designs. This business not only suits your expertise but also offers a flexible opportunity to earn passive income on the side.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
9. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could start a stock photography business to supplement your income and make extra money by leveraging your unique perspective and skills. For example, you could capture photos of adaptive equipment, therapy sessions, or therapeutic environments that businesses and bloggers may find valuable for their marketing materials.
Investing in quality photography gear and learning the basics of stock photography could allow you to build an impressive portfolio of high-quality images. By uploading these photos to stock photography websites with strong online presence, you could earn a passive income as your photos get licensed and used by various businesses.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
10. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could leverage your unique insights and experience to start a social media automation business, helping small businesses or influencers manage their online presence effortlessly. This means using or creating tools that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data on various platforms. By doing so, you are offering a valuable service that saves time for your clients while ensuring they maintain a strong online presence.
You could focus on developing or integrating the right software solutions and keeping up with the latest trends in social media. Given the increasing demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement, this could be a lucrative side business. Plus, your ability to build strong client relationships could streamline the process of tailoring your services to meet their unique needs.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
11. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Starting a subscription box business could be a great way for you as an occupational therapist to generate extra income. You could create a box that includes therapeutic tools, educational materials, and wellness products tailored for clients and their families, catering to your audience's specific needs. Such a box can enhance the therapy experience and provide continuous support outside of sessions.
By leveraging your expertise, you could offer a curated selection of high-quality products that are hard to find in regular stores, adding significant value for your customers. This business not only supplements your income but also allows you to apply your professional knowledge in a new, entrepreneurial way.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
12. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As an occupational therapist, you could explore affiliate marketing as a route to earn passive income by promoting products and services that align with your professional expertise. Imagine recommending therapeutic tools, ergonomic equipment, or health-related products that you trust and have found valuable in your practice. By sharing these recommendations through a blog, social media, or even a dedicated website, you could earn commission on any sales made through your affiliate links.
Getting started in affiliate marketing involves learning to find the right products and brands to partner with. Since you already have a deep understanding of what works best for therapy and patient care, you could focus on eCommerce stores or manufacturers that offer relevant products. This not only allows you to supplement your income but also helps your audience benefit from your trusted advice.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
13. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an ecommerce reselling business could be a great way for you, as an occupational therapist, to leverage your expertise while supplementing your income. By purchasing goods related to your field—such as ergonomic tools, therapy aids, or wellness products—you could cater specifically to the needs of both your clients and your colleagues. This niche focus can make your online store a trusted source for specialized items in the therapeutic community.
One of the appealing aspects of being an ecommerce reseller is that you do not need to worry about production costs. Moreover, you do not even need a website immediately. You could start this side hustle through social media platforms, which allows you to test the waters and grow your business gradually. As your reselling business expands, you could then consider setting up a dedicated website to further establish your online presence.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
