Top locum tenens companies: finding the best opportunities for physicians
As the medical employment environment evolves, an increasing number of physicians explore locum tenens jobs as an option outside of traditional employment or private practice. Locum tenens is a Latin term that means “placeholder” and refers to physicians who step into practices or hospitals that need additional staffing or are short-staffed temporarily. As discussed on Sermo, the locum tenens employment trend is gaining popularity with physicians who desire more autonomy and work-life balance than ever before.
As more doctors face inflation and lowered purchasing power, we surveyed physicians on Sermo to find their biggest financial challenges. 33% said concerns about retirement, 21% said declining reimbursement, and 20% noted rising overhead. Locum tenens work provides a solution, as one Sermo member and Radiologist wrote “I used my vacation time from my hospital job to do locum tenens so that I could pay for law school in cash. It was great as an earnings source, and I had interesting experiences in places I would never have visited. I definitely suggest it when someone wants extra income and can travel for a while.”
77% of physicians surveyed on Sermo agree that for physicians seeking alternative employment options, locum tenens provides better work/life balance than traditional roles. Additionally, many say that they find it better paying, enjoy fewer administrative duties, and appreciate the freedom of making their own schedules. With ongoing challenges in resource staffing, locum tenens physicians are an essential component of continuity of care across nearly every specialty. According to those doctors on Sermo, emergency medicine, internal medicine, anesthesiology, and psychiatry benefit the most, suggesting that these often high-stress, high-demand specialties can use locum tenens to reduce burnout and gain control over their scheduling.
What does a locum tenens physician do?
A locum tenens physician does essentially the same work as a permanent physician in the position, but on a temporary basis. They fill in for days, weeks, months—and beyond—and are expected to render the same quality of care as if they were in the position permanently. They need to acclimate quickly to staff expectations, EHR systems, and teams with which they might only be working alongside for a short time.
We surveyed physicians on Sermo to discover which medical specialty benefits the most from locum tenens positions. Emergency medicine was the clear leader, receiving 55% of the vote, followed by internal medicine at 22%, and third was Anesthesiology with 12%. These contract positions do come with their own challenges. Our recent poll insights reveal 46% of physicians say adjusting to new environments is the leading challenge, 21% report uncertainty in scheduling, and 17% chose credentialing and license delays as the biggest challenge. Despite these obstacles, most healthcare professionals can benefit from locum tenens work.
“I have been a full-time career Locum for 22 years. I have worked at several hospitals simultaneously for extended periods of time. I highly recommend it. I have never been underemployed and have been free to negotiate my reimbursement and terms. In my opinion, all physicians who can do it should do this. It is the only way I have found to survive the oppression of corporate medicine,” explains an anesthesiologist on Sermo.
A family medicine physician who has traveled frequently says, “I’ve done locums for years, traveled 1000s of miles, would fly weekly, and sometimes 5-6 times a month back and forth. The pay is well, depending on the area and your lifestyle, but it can be a suitable job, long term.”
Sustainability is achieved when physicians are established in their own practices and can comfortably adapt to locum tenens opportunities, making it a viable option at any stage of their career. Speaking to this, one gynecologist on Sermo shares, “As an OB/GYN, I have definitely found this to be a sustainable career option working as an OB/GYN Hospitalist as a locum. Due to the need to see elderly parents regularly, the flexibility while enormous need and shortage in our country of experienced physicians providing this service is definitely real. It does require a high acuity perspective, so not really for one just out of residency, in my honest opinion.”
Benefits of locum tenens work
Physicians participate in Locum Tenens work for several reasons. Sermo’s recent poll shows the main motivations are higher earning potential (42%), work-life balance (27%), exploring different practice settings (16%), transitioning to retirement (10%), and avoiding administrative burdens (4%).
Increased flexibility
Physicians get to make their own hours with a locum tenens job. They decide how long they want to work, which facility they’d like to work at, where they want to travel to, and how many hours they want to work weekly (full-time, part-time, per diem, seasonal, and even casual freelance in one location on a regular basis), meaning that physicians can create a job that can fit around their lifestyle.
“I can honestly say it has been both a challenging and rewarding experience. One of the biggest advantages was regaining control over my schedule while still earning competitively, sometimes even more than in traditional roles. When it comes to salary and compensation, transparency is key. I quickly learned that not all locum tenens companies are created equal. Some offered impressive rates upfront but had hidden deductions or limited contract duration. Also, for me, a clear pay structure is key,” summarizes an obstetrician on Sermo.
High earning potential
Locum tenens physicians earn higher hourly rates than traditional employed physicians. Facilities in dire need of physicians are willing to pay for short-term staffing needs. 41% of physicians say that the compensation for Locum Tenens work meets their expectations, 22% report slightly below, and 13% say it is much higher than expected. In addition, many specialties have average hourly wages that are above average:
- $200-$300 for emergency medicine
- $150-$250 for hospitalists
- $180-$275 for psychiatrists
- $250-$350 for anesthesiologists
These averages depend upon the state, the geography within the state, the facility type, and demand as a Sermo member and GP in the USA comments, “Locum tenens companies offer flexible, short-term medical positions that can provide excellent pay—often higher than permanent roles—especially in high-demand specialties. However, salary varies widely based on location, specialty, and company, so it’s important to research each company’s reputation and contract terms carefully.”
Reduced administrative burden
Arguably, the best part about locum tenens work is the lack of admin work. No practice management, no billing concerns, no staffing issues, mean physicians get to enjoy pure patient interaction, which for many doctors is a breath of fresh air after bureaucratic red tape and corporate politics have tarnished their love of medicine.
One OBGYN who worked full-time in permanent placements for 17 years before switching to full-time locum assignments said,
“It gives me total control of when & where I work, and the demand for my services is high. I always feel appreciated because the staff I replace and provide an opportunity for a break are always very relieved and grateful. Sometimes I miss having “my own” patients, but the positives far outweigh any downsides. No overhead, no human resource management of office staff, at the end of every locum assignment it feels like the beginning of a holiday. No need to manage waitlists, no need to follow labs or results. It’s a feeling of freedom. I wouldn’t recommend this for early-career, but mid-career, it has provided me with the work-life balance I was missing previously.”
Professional development
Because locum tenens allows physicians to work at various facilities with many different patient populations and procedures, physicians learn to adapt, diversify their skill set, and become more professionally engaged, which means they’re less likely to get bored and stagnant in their careers. Research shows that working in various healthcare systems enhances physicians’ diagnostic abilities and treatment strategies.
Freedom to travel
For physicians who love to travel, participating in locum tenens is a great way to work in new places while still enjoying a lucrative career. Many physicians seek locum tenens opportunities in their travel bucket list locations and spend the days seeing patients and exploring the new towns, cultures, and attractions at night.
Great for pre-retirement planning
A third (33%) of surveyed physicians on Sermo say their biggest financial challenge is retirement. Applying for locum tenens positions is a great way to transition into the next chapter of their lives. They can cut back on hours while maintaining income and gauging readiness to retire or deciding if putting it off may be the better option. It’s essentially a “test drive” for retirement to see how well physicians can balance work and play.
Top locum tenens companies of 2025
Weatherby Healthcare
Weatherby is known for premium service and offers everything from licensing and privileging to travel and accommodation. Their consultants possess an incredible amount of experience in the specialties, so they can properly understand a physician’s needs to fill positions. Pay is considered average, response to inquiries is quick and decent, and assignments are good for hospital medicine, emergency medicine, and radiology.
Vista Staffing Solutions
VISTA Staffing Solutions, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Utah, is a leading healthcare staffing agency specializing in locum tenens and permanent placements across more than 60 specialties. They provide physicians, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, and physician assistants with flexible career options nationwide, including extensive opportunities with the Veterans Administration, Department of Defense, and Indian Health Service. VISTA emphasizes quality by carefully screening providers and offering full support through credentialing, licensing, travel, housing, and professional liability insurance. Their locum tenens agreements ensure transparency and protection for physicians, including clear terms on assignments and cancellations. As a founding member of the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), VISTA upholds high industry standards.
CompHealth
CompHealth is one of the largest and oldest (since 1979) agencies with millions of facilities nationwide to choose from. They help with necessary credentialing, malpractice insurance, and travel arrangements. Physicians appreciate 24/7 access and recruiters dedicated to certain specialties for personalized service.
Hayes Locums
Hayes Locums is also known for its personalized service. This agency prides itself on fostering long-term relationships with physicians and the facilities where they work. Patient satisfaction is high as communication is clear and consistent from placement to engagement. Hayes Locums provides locum tenens for those harder-to-fill positions as they work with specialists and seek to fill more difficult assignments or those in underserved areas with increased rates.
LocumTenens.com
This agency is a unique blend of technology and human interaction. Physicians can work solely with the easy-to-navigate website or involve a consultant at any time. They provide comprehensive insurance coverage and follow up on licensure applications as a third-party connection, making them a comfortable option for tech-savvy physicians seeking ease and peace of mind, as well as those who value this extra step.
Jackson + Coker Locum Tenens
With over 40 years in business, the reliability of Jackson + Coker speaks for itself. They offer an “earned privileges” program, which allows locum tenens who work with specific facilities to avoid redundant credentialing. Additionally, they provide a “Locum for Life” opportunity with benefits for those who engage with the agency long-term.
Global Medical Staffing
Global Medical Staffing specializes in placements internationally. If you want to practice in Australia, New Zealand, or the Caribbean, Global Medical Staffing is the way to go. They handle international licensing and relocation. This is the agency for those who want to practice professionally and personally across the globe.
Medicus Healthcare Solutions
Medicus Healthcare Solutions prioritizes high-quality relationships and assignments over quantity. This agency partners with higher-end healthcare systems throughout the nation and provides clarity in communication about any given assignment—it’s transparent about pay rates, too. Medical licensing and credentialing are fast with this agency, too, for those who need an urgent care assignment.
AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare is one of the largest healthcare staffing companies in the industry. Its size speaks to vast assignment opportunities and connections. As a larger agency, it can provide full benefit packages—including health insurance and retirement plans—for local physicians seeking regularly scheduled work at one site.
How to find the right locum tenens agency for you
In Sermo’s survey, physicians reveal the most important factor when choosing a locum tenens company:
- higher pay rates (38%)
- flexible scheduling (27%)
- better contract terms (23%)
- reputation and reviews (10%), and
- variety of job locations (3%)
The agency you select significantly impacts your placement and earnings, so be sure to consider the following when assessing your choices.
Agency-independent research and reviews
Be sure to look beyond the agency website with independent review sites, Better Business Bureau ratings, and buzz on physician community forums like Sermo to get a true gauge of each. Acknowledge common sentiments versus one-off rants and focus primarily on physician complaints within your specialty to ensure it’s truly catered to your type of practice.
Physician recommendations and forum discussions
Speak to your colleagues who have done locum work in the past to get the inside track. Agencies can have great, reputable standings and terrible ones – you’ll want to do this research ahead of time. Joining an online community and learning from others is the best way to maximize your earnings from locum tenens and side hustles. On Sermo, many physicians discuss their experiences with different agencies and give real-world advice to those seeking locum work.
One physician who specializes in allergy and immunology warned their peers: “[a] good company does not change agreed-upon salary, what expenses will be paid, etc. [a] Bad company changes type of work you are doing and/or working conditions AFTER you are at the work site.”
Contract negotiation and terminology awareness
Be sure to understand contract stipulations before signing. “Always have a lawyer review their contracts. Some of the clauses are very concerning and one-sided in their favor,” reports one internal medicine physician from the Sermo community. Pay special attention to cancellation clauses, non-compete agreements, and payment terms.
“The theme I am gathering thus far is that honesty/credibility of the agencies can vary significantly, and ‘baiting and switching’ occurs from time to time. And remember to read the fine print in any signed agreement,” comments an emergency medicine doctor.
Key takeaways:
- Locum tenens work offers flexibility and freedom: Many physicians use it to escape burnout, control their schedule, and travel while still practicing medicine.
- The benefits go beyond money: Doctors report high earning potential, but also less administrative work, better work-life balance, and the ability to choose when and where they work.
- Top locum tenens companies vary in perks and pay. Agencies like Weatherby, CompHealth, and Hayes Locums offer different rates, support services, and contract terms, and choosing the right one can make a big difference.
- Choosing the right agency is key: Doctors should read reviews, ask peers, and carefully review contracts to avoid bait-and-switch tactics and ensure fair, transparent terms.
Join the conversation on Sermo
When it comes to choosing a locum tenens agency that suits your needs, your career could depend on it. Working locum tenens is an opportunity to practice medicine without the confines of a traditional medical career. Flexible hours, desirable pay, and work-life balance can all be achieved where other permanent positions may fail. Searching for other ways to increase your earning power? Explore medical surveys on Sermo today.
Get a free Sermo account today to glean information from physicians who have already walked down the locum tenens path with success. Vent your concerns, get guidance, ask for advice, and field questions to those in the know who have your best interests at heart.
