AI BriefingHigh-Earning Doctors Turn to AI Tutoring
Key point
Pushed by San Francisco's high cost of living, doctors are taking on side jobs tutoring AI models.
Details
San Francisco-based internal medicine and pediatrics physician Melania Poonacha does AI tutoring at Mercor on top of her hospital night shifts.
- Hospital work: 12-16 hour night shifts at California Pacific Medical Center and Chinese Hospital
- Hospital salary: about $375,000
- Motivation: pressure to pay off $400,000 in student loans and cover living expenses
Doctors use their medical knowledge to evaluate AI responses and write prompts suited to clinical situations. Companies like Mercor and Handshake are actively recruiting medical specialists, sometimes offering pay of $150-200 per hour.
According to the article, San Francisco's high cost of living means that even a high salary doesn't go as far. Doximity's 2025 report ranked San Francisco as the fifth-lowest metro nationwide for physician compensation relative to cost.
As demand for medical automation grows, AI companies are also drawing in doctors from high-stakes specialties such as radiology, cardiology, and neurology to help train models. Industry observers see this side work not just as extra income, but also as a way to ease burnout and stay ahead of the AI trend.
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