How much do locum tenens doctors get paid?
Locum tenens work—derived from the Latin phrase meaning “to hold the place of”—refers to short-term medical assignments where doctors temporarily fill in for other physicians. This flexible model of practice has gained traction among healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their work-life balance, explore new opportunities, and increase their income.
Popular among hospitalists, anesthesiologists, family physicians, and specialists such as radiologists, locum tenens positions enable doctors to experience different healthcare environments, and enjoy greater flexibility in their schedules. This is especially useful for early-career physicians seeking exposure, semi-retired doctors looking to stay active without committing to full-time work, or those navigating career transitions.
However, one of the most frequently asked questions by doctors is, “How much can I really earn as a locum tenens physician, and what are the typical pay rates?” The answer depends on numerous factors like medical specialty, location, and the hiring staffing agency. This guide breaks down average pay by specialty and state, with real-world insights from Sermo physicians.
Locum tenens perspectives from the field
When discussing locum tenens pay, physicians within the Sermo community share valuable insights about their compensation and experience:
- “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, medical specialty, and company, so it’s important to research each company’s reputation and contract terms carefully. Look for transparency in pay ranges.” — GP, USA
- “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. Transparency in pay structure is crucial, especially when considering physician jobs as an independent contractor. The average salary can be quite compelling.” — OBGYN, Venezuela
- “Obviously, it’s a great opportunity to increase income. However, a stable workplace can also be very valuable in the long term. This career path offers excellent financial flexibility.“ — Dermatology, Germany
- “This is a valid option to consider for extra income and the ability to combine it with your regular schedule and life. Many clinicians find this works well for their lifestyle.” — Family Medicine, Spain
Locum tenens salary by specialty
We surveyed over 300 physicians on Sermo to see what specialties they think benefit the most from locum tenens positions. Here are the poll results:
- 51% – Emergency medicine
- 22% – Internal medicine
- 12% – Anesthesiology
- 7% – Surgery
- 4% – Psychiatry
- 5% – Other
A physician’s medical specialty is a significant factor in determining how much you can earn doing locum tenens work. Below is a summary of the average hourly, monthly, and annual rates for various specialties. According to recent surveys and published data from sources such as AMN Healthcare, Wapiti Medical, SalaryDr, and ZipRecruiter, these ranges reflect the most accurate compensation trends for physicians in 2025. Locum tenens rates are often highest in in-demand, understaffed regions and do not account for typical contract gaps. Permanent salaries represent broad medians for each specialty nationwide.
| Specialty | Avg. hourly rate (range) | Annual locum salary (range) | Permanent salary equivalent (annual) |
| Anesthesiology | $180–$220 | $374,000–$460,000 | $425,000 |
| Cardiology | $230–$310 | $498,400–$670,000 | $511,500 |
| Trauma surgery | $156–$190 | $325,000–$405,000 | $362,250 |
| Critical care medicine | $150–$200 | $312,000–$416,000 | $356,500 |
| Pediatric critical care | $40–$70 | $83,200–$145,600 | $287,500 |
| Radiology | $180–$290 | $374,400–$601,600 | $500,000 |
| Dermatology | $275–$320 | $572,000–$665,600 | $406,000 |
| Psychiatry | $80–$90 | $166,400–$187,200 | $215,000 |
| Urgent care | $110–$130 | $228,800–$270,400 | $264,500 |
| Emergency medicine | $140–$155 | $290,000–$320,000 | $326,000 |
| Internal medicine | $110–$140 | $230,000–$290,000 | $227,500 |
| General surgery | $200–$265 | $416,000–$549,800 | $375,000 |
| Urology | $165–$290 | $343,000–$580,000 | $450,000 |
| Family medicine | $40–$45 | $83,200–$93,600 | $238,000 |
| Pediatrics | $35–$40 | $72,800–$83,200 | $248,000 |
| Obstetrics/gynecology | $120–$130 | $249,600–$270,400 | $302,500 |
| Allergy and immunology | $35–$40 | $72,800–$83,200 | $261,000 |
| Neurology | $120–$150 | $249,600–$312,000 | $308,000 |
| Nuclear medicine | $50–$60 | $104,000–$124,800 | $290,000 |
| Ophthalmology | $100–$140 | $208,000–$291,200 | $279,500 |
| Pathology | $120–$160 | $249,600–$332,800 | $351,500 |
| Physical medicine & rehabilitation | $60–$80 | $124,800–$166,400 | $312,000 |
| Preventive medicine | $115–$130 | $239,200–$270,400 | $250,500 |
| Oncology (incl. radiation oncology) | $190–$260 | $395,200–$540,800 | $436,500 |
These annualized earnings estimates provide a useful benchmark but assume continuous full-time work (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year)—something that may be uncommon due to contract gaps, pay variability and physician preferences to work fewer hours in locum tenens positions. Some locum positions include coverage of malpractice insurance, travel, housing, licensing fees, and other reimbursed expenses that can notably add value beyond hourly pay.
Physicians should factor in these fluctuations when evaluating locum tenens opportunities and estimating potential income.
Locum tenens salary by state
Location is another critical factor in locum tenens earning potential due to varying demand, cost of living, and physician shortages across the country. Below are the average earnings for locum tenens physicians by state in the US:
| State | Avg. hourly rate (range) | Weekly salary | Monthly salary | Annual salary |
| Alabama | $140 – $150 | $5,800 | $25,067 | $300,800 |
| Alaska | $110 – $120 | $4,600 | $19,867 | $238,400 |
| Arizona | $145 – $155 | $6,000 | $25,867 | $310,400 |
| Arkansas | $155 – $165 | $6,600 | $28,467 | $341,600 |
| California | $135 – $145 | $5,600 | $24,067 | $289,600 |
| Colorado | $140 – $150 | $5,800 | $25,067 | $300,800 |
| Connecticut | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Delaware | $150 – $160 | $6,400 | $27,467 | $329,600 |
| Florida | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Georgia | $140 – $150 | $5,800 | $25,067 | $300,800 |
| Hawaii | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Idaho | $135 – $145 | $5,600 | $24,067 | $289,600 |
| Illinois | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Indiana | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Iowa | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Kansas | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Kentucky | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Louisiana | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Maine | $120 – $130 | $5,000 | $21,667 | $260,000 |
| Maryland | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Massachusetts | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Michigan | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Minnesota | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Mississippi | $155 – $165 | $6,600 | $28,467 | $341,600 |
| Missouri | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Montana | $110 – $120 | $4,600 | $19,867 | $238,400 |
| Nebraska | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Nevada | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| New Hampshire | $120 – $130 | $5,000 | $21,667 | $260,000 |
| New Jersey | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| New Mexico | $145 – $155 | $6,000 | $25,867 | $310,400 |
| New York | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| North Carolina | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| North Dakota | $110 – $120 | $4,600 | $19,867 | $238,400 |
| Ohio | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Oklahoma | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Oregon | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Rhode Island | $120 – $130 | $5,000 | $21,667 | $260,000 |
| South Carolina | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| South Dakota | $110 – $120 | $4,600 | $19,867 | $238,400 |
| Tennessee | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Texas | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Utah | $115 – $125 | $4,800 | $20,000 | $240,000 |
| Vermont | $120 – $130 | $5,000 | $21,667 | $260,000 |
| Virginia | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| Washington | $130 – $140 | $5,400 | $23,200 | $278,400 |
| West Virginia | $120 – $130 | $5,000 | $21,667 | $260,000 |
| Wisconsin | $125 – $135 | $5,200 | $22,667 | $272,000 |
| Wyoming | $120 – $130 | $5,000 | $21,667 | $260,000 |
How to maximize income as a locum tenens physician
Sermo surveyed physicians to find their primary motivation when choosing a locum tenens company. The top factor is higher pay rates (38%), followed by flexible scheduling (27%), better contract terms (23%), reputation and reviews (10%), and lastly a variety of job locations (3%). Below are several strategies for physicians to optimize income potential for locum tenens positions.
Negotiate higher hourly rates
Before accepting an assignment, thoroughly review the contract terms, including the pay structure, length, and scheduling guarantees. Contracts often vary widely depending on the position or the locum tenens recruiting firm you choose.
Also, ask for a rate reflective of your expertise. Be transparent about additional costs, such as travel, housing, or licensing fees to ensure fair compensation. Make sure to ask your recruiter about this.
Consider tax-advantaged structures
Consulting with a tax professional helps optimize your earnings by deducting travel, lodging, and other work-related expenses. You can also get advice on setting up an S-Corp tailored to locum work. This can significantly impact your annual salary, and meeting with a financial advisor can help you to determine the best strategy to maximise your tax savings.
Minimize unpaid downtime
Plan carefully between assignments to reduce gaps in scheduling. Some staffing agencies offer back-to-back placements, minimizing income interruptions. This helps ensure a steady full-time job equivalent income.
Use locum work for financial milestones
Many physicians use locum earnings for key milestones, such as paying off medical school loans or saving for retirement. One Sermo member and radiologist shares, “I used my vacation time to cover law school tuition—I paid in full thanks to locum work.”
How to find locum tenens work
Locating opportunities involves a combination of browsing agency connections, applying directly to hospitals or other healthcare facilities, and networking with peers. When choosing a staffing agency, consider factors like clear compensation details, fees, and reputation.
Companies like AMN Healthcare, CompHealth, and Hayes Locums are prominent companies in this field, offering a wide range of physician job opportunities. The demand for locum physicians, particularly in areas such as emergency medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology, remains high.
While there are a multitude of benefits for physicians in locum tenens positions, it does present a variety of challenges. When surveyed, Sermo asked physicians: “What is the biggest challenge of working locum tenens?” Here is how they voted:
- 46% – Adjusting to new work environments in different hospitals
- 21% – Uncertainty in scheduling and finding consistent coverage
- 17% – Credentialing and licensing delays
- 9% – Lack of job benefits as an independent contractor
- 7% – Travel logistics
How Sermo surveys can boost your income
Beyond locum earnings, paid surveys through Sermo provide a flexible supplementary income stream. These surveys allow physicians to share their expertise while earning financial rewards, answering polls, and contributing insights to the global medical community. When combining the honorarium from completing surveys with investing and other strategies, your earnings can add up quickly.
By contributing to clinical discussions and surveys, such as rating drugs or evaluating new treatments, many doctors not only increase their income but also expand their professional network and reputation.
Key takeaways
Locum tenens work offers a flexible and often lucrative career path for physicians. Earnings vary based on medical specialty and location, with specialties such as emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and general surgery often ranking among the highest-paying fields. By strategically managing assignments and leveraging additional income streams, like paid surveys, doctors can maximize both their financial gains and work-life balance.
Join Sermo today—a trusted community helping doctors collaborate, grow their impact, and earn effortlessly. Get real-world advice on living the locum lifestyle and see if it’s right for you.
