Most clinicians don’t need to work harder to earn more.
They need a better strategy.
If you’ve ever looked at your paycheck and thought, “I’m seeing more patients than ever, working harder and more hours than before… so why am I not earning more?” — you’re not alone.
In Episode 360 of The PA Is In, I break down three proven ways clinicians can increase their income without adding shifts, sacrificing family time, or burning out faster.
Let’s walk through them.
iTunes | Spotify | YouTube
Strategy #1: Negotiate Where You Are
One of the biggest income mistakes clinicians make?
Only negotiating when they’re hired.
After that, many of us accept tiny annual raises and assume, “That’s just how it works.”
It’s not.
Your compensation plan is negotiable — just like a treatment plan. It can evolve.
That includes:
- Your base salary
- Your bonus structure
- Your schedule
When you ask better questions and bring data to the table, you unlock income most people never touch.
A simple script to start:
“Based on my productivity, outcomes, and market benchmarks, I’d like to discuss adjusting my compensation to reflect my contribution.”
Negotiation isn’t confrontational.
It’s professional.
And it’s a skill you can learn.
It’s also something I can help with. Schedule a Negotiation Consultation to bolster your confidence, avoid a failed and frustrating negotiation about pay bands and the fact that you are “already overpaid”.
Strategy #2: Diversify Your Income (Without More Shifts)
Your clinical job can be a strong foundation.
But relying on one paycheck is risky — financially and emotionally.
Smart clinicians build flexible income streams like:
- Paid medical surveys and advisory panels
- Remote clinical roles
- Medical writing and consulting
- Telemedicine and call pay
- Part-time or project-based work
These don’t require 80-hour weeks.
They require intention.
Personally, I’ve earned thousands per year from surveys and referrals alone — on my schedule.
If you want ideas & a formula for choosing the right side hustle for you, grab my Free Side Gig Guide here.
It includes 48 healthcare-specific side hustle options you can explore right now.
Strategy #3: Make Strategic Job Moves (And Negotiate Them Well)
Historically, the biggest raises happen when clinicians change jobs.
But only when they do it intentionally.
Not reactively.
That means:
- Knowing your market value
- Researching compensation
- Negotiating before signing
- Looking beyond salary
Your leverage is highest before you accept an offer.
Use it.
A job change done well can reset your entire earning trajectory.
The Big Takeaway
You don’t have to choose just one strategy.
Most high-earning clinicians combine all three:
✔ Negotiating where they are
✔ Building flexible income streams
✔ Making intentional career moves
That’s how you create income that supports your life — not one that traps you in it.
Want Support?
If you’re ready to take action:
- 1:1 Negotiation Consults: www.tracybingaman.com/negotiation-consult
- Clinician Income Lab: www.tracybingaman.com/cil
- Free Side Gig Guide: www.tracybingaman.com/gig
And don’t forget to listen to Episode 360 or watch on YouTube for the full breakdown.
You deserve to be paid for your value — not just your hours.
