Find out what physicians in your specialty are earning — or could be earning — with locum tenens work. No hourly rates. No signup. Just real numbers.
Locum tenens lets physicians, NPs, and PAs fill temporary coverage gaps at hospitals and clinics — on their own schedule, in locations they choose.
You can start with a single weekend shift per month alongside your current role, or go full-time. Either way, locum pay is structured as independent contractor income, giving you both higher gross earnings and meaningful tax flexibility.
This tool estimates what providers earn. If you're staffing a facility, try our ROI calculator instead.
Learn how locums worksChoose your assignments, dates, and locations. Work a few shifts around your existing schedule or go all-in — you set the pace.
Locum rates reflect market scarcity. Most specialties command 20–50% above comparable permanent positions — annualized.
All Star provides malpractice insurance for every assignment — included in every placement, nothing out of pocket.
The IMLC compact covers 40+ states. Multi-state licensing is faster than ever — serve where you're needed most.
Select your specialty, setting, and schedule. All figures are annualized estimates — no hourly rates disclosed.
Telehealth is not applicable for this specialty.
Based on 2025–2026 All Star Healthcare placement data and industry benchmarks. Actual compensation varies. No hourly rates disclosed.
For specialty deep-dives, see the Locum Tenens Salary by Specialty guide →
The ranges in this calculator are built from All Star Healthcare Solutions placement data across 2025 and 2026, cross-referenced against publicly available compensation benchmarks. Specialty-level numbers reflect actual locum tenens rates negotiated for assignments we filled, not survey averages. Geographic modifiers reflect regional demand and licensing constraints. Setting adjustments account for the workflow differences between inpatient, outpatient, and surgical environments.
Estimates are directional, not guarantees. Every assignment carries its own combination of urgency, length, call coverage, and credentialing requirements that move the final rate. Numbers refresh quarterly. Last reviewed May 2026.
Honest answers to the questions we hear most from providers new to locum tenens.
No. The majority of physicians who start with All Star keep their permanent position and add 1–4 locum shifts per month. You scale up — or stay supplemental — entirely on your terms.
Most locum assignments include travel to and from the assignment, lodging or a housing stipend, malpractice insurance, and licensing reimbursement. Some include CME stipends; some don't. Per diem for meals and incidentals is common for away assignments. Ask your consultant to itemize every line item in a written offer before comparing — "all-inclusive" rate sheets can be worse than itemized ones once everything is broken out.
All Star manages licensing verification and credentialing for every assignment. Malpractice insurance is provided for the full duration of each placement — you're never uncovered.
On an hourly basis, locum rates typically run higher than the per-hour equivalent of an employed physician's salary in the same specialty, before taxes and self-funded costs. Whether your annual take-home ends up higher depends on how many weeks you work, how disciplined you are about deductions, and whether you'd otherwise have employer-paid benefits and retirement matching. Many physicians use locum work to supplement permanent income; some go full-time and earn more once their tax and retirement strategy is set up.
Absolutely. Advanced practice providers have a strong and growing locum market — especially in primary care, urgent care, psychiatry, and telehealth settings. The calculator covers NP, PA, and CRNA roles.
The calculator produces a directional estimate, not a quote. Ranges are built from All Star placement data across 2025 and 2026 and refresh quarterly. The estimate widens for specialties where assignment-to-assignment variation is higher — call coverage, urgency, license stack required. For an actual rate against a real assignment, share your CV and a consultant will match you to current openings with confirmed pay terms.
As an independent contractor, you pay self-employment tax (15.3%) plus federal and state income tax. Most locum physicians set aside 25–30%. The upside: business expenses including travel and professional development are deductible.
Once you submit your CV, a recruiter typically reaches out within 1 business day. Straightforward placements can be active within 2–4 weeks depending on credentialing timelines at the facility.
Annualized ranges for full-time equivalent work. Your calculator estimate scales to your actual shift volume.
How locum income is taxed — and what you get back.
Most locum work is paid as 1099 independent contractor income. No taxes are withheld from your gross pay. You owe both halves of Social Security and Medicare (the 15.3% self-employment tax) on top of federal and state income tax, and you'll typically file quarterly estimated taxes throughout the year.
The trade-off is real deduction power: malpractice you pay, license fees, travel above your stipend, CME, retirement plan contributions, and a portion of your home office can all reduce taxable income.
A smaller share of assignments pay W-2. The agency withholds taxes the way a permanent employer would, which lowers your administrative load but narrows the deductions you can take. Corp-to-corp is a third option some physicians use after setting up an LLC or S-corp for tax planning purposes.
Line items that sit with the provider, not the agency.
Your rate is the headline, but a few recurring costs quietly affect your effective earnings. The agency typically covers malpractice, travel, and licensing for assignments All Star places. The items below are yours.
Submit your CV and a recruiter will send you a curated list of locum opportunities — with actual current rates — matched to your specialty, location, and availability.
No commitment. Your information is never shared with facilities without your permission.
Emergency Medicine (ABEM) · Hospital · Rural / Underserved
8 shifts/month = 96 shifts per year