12 Passive Income Ideas For Physical Therapists [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a physical therapist in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a physical 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 physical therapist.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
If you're a physical therapist looking to earn extra money, starting an online course business could be a great idea. You could create courses about rehab exercises, injury prevention, or general wellness tips. People are eager to learn from experts, and physical therapy is a valuable skill that others want to understand better.
Creating these online courses means you share your knowledge with a broader audience without needing to see each person in person. Once the course is made and uploaded, it could sell continually, providing you with passive income. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion soon, there is significant potential in this venture.
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 health and wellness app ($108K/month)
Creating a health and wellness app could be a smart way for you, as a physical therapist, to supplement your income and explore passive earnings. This type of app can provide users with personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, mental well-being exercises, and progress tracking, all aspects perfectly aligned with your professional expertise.
By leveraging your in-depth understanding of body mechanics and wellness, you could design an app that offers tailored advice and routines, similar to how you would guide patients in person. This could include everything from specific exercises for injury prevention and recovery to tailored meal plans and mindfulness practices.
The initial effort involves market research, collaboration with other health experts, and app development. However, once the app is launched and gains traction, it has the potential to generate passive income through subscriptions or in-app purchases. Imagine a virtual coach in users' pockets, driving to truly make a difference while also providing you with a steady revenue stream.
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.
3. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a smart way for a physical therapist to supplement their income and begin earning passive income. You could create videos that share your expertise on common physical therapy exercises, tips for injury prevention, and advice for maintaining overall physical health. These educational videos could attract a wide audience who are interested in health and wellness, giving you the opportunity to monetize through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise.
Consistency and quality are key to growing a successful YouTube channel. Regularly uploading well-planned, engaging content and interacting with your viewers can help you build a loyal following. While it requires some initial effort to set up and manage, a successful channel could eventually become a significant source of passive income, rewarding both financially and personally.
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 a physical therapist, you could start a niche blog focused on sharing your expertise in rehabilitation techniques, exercise routines, or patient success stories. This could be particularly useful for reaching an online community that is looking for professional advice on managing chronic pain, recovering from injuries, and maintaining overall physical health. You could provide informative content such as how-to guides on specific exercises, tips on injury prevention, and reviews of physical therapy equipment.
To monetize your blog, you could include affiliate links to products you recommend, collaborate with brands related to health and wellness, and even grow a YouTube channel to expand your reach. By consistently creating engaging content and interacting with your readers, you could build a loyal audience. Over time, your blog could become a source of passive income while also enhancing your reputation as an expert in your field.
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 an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a physical therapist, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a practical way to supplement your income and generate passive revenue. You could promote products and services that align with your expertise, such as therapy equipment, fitness tools, or health-related software. By sharing these products with your patients, colleagues, and online community, you could earn a commission for each sale you facilitate.
The key to success in affiliate marketing is choosing the right products and brands to partner with. Focusing on items that you genuinely believe in and use in your practice could make your recommendations more authentic and effective. This side hustle would allow you to leverage your professional knowledge and network, turning your expertise into a steady stream of extra income without taking significant time away from your primary job.
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.
6. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way for you to earn extra income as a physical therapist. By producing audio content that focuses on health, wellness, and physical therapy tips, you can share your expertise with a wider audience. This allows you to both help people and potentially attract sponsorships or advertisers as your podcast grows in popularity.
You could discuss common physical therapy techniques, interview specialists, and provide advice for injury prevention and recovery. All you need to get started is some basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and a hosting platform to publish your episodes. By promoting your podcast through social media and online communities, you may be able to create a steady stream of passive income while sharing your knowledge and passion with others.
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.
7. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
If you’re a physical therapist looking to supplement your income, starting an eCommerce reselling business could be a practical and profitable venture. By purchasing goods or services for resale, you could sell items online without the hassle of production costs.
You don't need a website to begin; a social media-based reseller business could be an excellent starting point. As your business grows, you could then invest in a website to expand your reach and boost your earnings. This way, you could focus on your physical therapy career during the day and manage your reselling business in your free time.
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.
8. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a physical therapist, you could consider creating a niche website focused on a specialized area of your expertise, such as managing chronic pain, sports injury rehabilitation, or ergonomic tips for desk workers. By sharing your knowledge through detailed articles, videos, or even downloadable guides, you could attract an audience interested in these specific topics.
Once your site gains traction, you could monetize it through methods like affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling your own digital products like e-books or online courses. This would allow you to generate passive income while continuing to do what you love in physical therapy.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
9. Make passive income with a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
Starting a real estate investment firm could be a smart way to supplement your income as a physical therapist. This business involves buying, managing, and selling real estate assets, which can generate substantial profit over time. By scouting lucrative properties and negotiating good deals, you could see your investments appreciate significantly.
Managing rental properties, for instance, could provide a steady income stream, complementing your earnings from physical therapy. If you have a passion for real estate and are good at identifying valuable properties, this might be an ideal venture for you. However, keep in mind that success in this field requires diligent market research and careful financial and operational planning.
This side hustle could yield impressive financial returns, making it a rewarding endeavor alongside your primary career.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
10. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a physical therapist, you could supplement your income by starting a stock photography business. With your unique perspective on healthcare and therapy, you could take high-quality photos of exercises, treatment techniques, and rehabilitation equipment that businesses and bloggers might need for their websites and marketing materials.
To get started, you would need to invest in good photography gear and learn the basics of taking stock photos. By building an impressive portfolio and maintaining a strong online presence, you could start earning passive income from the sale of your photos. This side hustle could fit well with your existing career, allowing you to use your downtime productively and creatively.
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.
11. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
Starting a WordPress plugin business could be a valuable way for a physical therapist to create passive income. If you’ve identified common issues or needs within the physical therapy community that could be addressed by a digital tool, developing a plugin could provide a solution. For instance, you might create a plugin that helps physical therapists manage patient scheduling, track progress, or share exercise videos with clients.
By focusing on solving a specific problem, you could attract many users who find your plugin helpful, generating a steady stream of income. Platforms like CodeCanyon allow you to sell your plugins online, or you could promote them through your own blog or a dedicated website. This side business allows you to leverage your professional expertise in a way that benefits others while providing yourself with an additional revenue stream.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
12. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
Starting an email marketing tool could be an excellent passive income opportunity for a physical therapist. By leveraging your expertise, you could create valuable content for your patients and subscribers, such as tips for managing pain, rehab exercises, or healthy living advice, and automatically send these emails using your tool.
With the right strategy, you could grow your email list and even monetize it through partnerships, sponsored content, or paid subscriptions. The email marketing industry is growing rapidly, so there's significant potential to make additional income while 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.
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.
