What is Moonlighting?

The term refers to a physician slogging in the evenings [in the moonlight ;-)] for some extra $$ as a replacement for another physician. Do not confuse this with overtime - in moonlighting, physician A allows physician B to work his hours and gives physician B a 'cut' or a pre-agreed percentage of his pay.


Whereas in overtime, physician A slogs extra hours as his own job !

This is typically done by junior physicians early in the game.

And just How Much Can a Physician Earn by Moonlighting ? 

- A Cool additional 1000$-4000$ per week !

Having said that, it is usually easier for residents in primary care specialties (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Ob-Gyn) to find Moonlighting Opportunities than the specialists. Some residents and Fellows have been known to make as much as 30,000$ to 40,000$ a year more through Moonlighting - all depends on how much you wanna slog it out...