How much could locum tenens
add to your income?
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.
The most flexible way to practice — and get paid for it
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.
Learn how locums worksThe essentials, handled for you
- No obligation to leave your current position — most start with 1–4 shifts per month
- Licensing, credentialing, and malpractice coverage handled by the agency
- Travel and housing included on away assignments — adding $20K–$40K in effective value annually
- Work in underserved communities, new markets, or close to home
The locum tenens advantage
Flexible scheduling
Choose your assignments, dates, and locations. Work a few shifts around your existing schedule or go all-in — you set the pace.
Premium compensation
Locum rates reflect market scarcity. Most specialties command 20–50% above comparable permanent positions — annualized.
Malpractice covered
All Star provides malpractice insurance for every assignment — included in every placement, nothing out of pocket.
Work anywhere in the US
The IMLC compact covers 40+ states. Multi-state licensing is faster than ever — serve where you're needed most.
Calculate your locum tenens income
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 →
About this estimator
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.
What physicians usually ask us
Honest answers to the questions we hear most from providers new to locum tenens.
Do I need to leave my current job?
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.
What's included in locum pay besides the rate?
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.
Who handles licensing and malpractice?
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.
Do locum physicians earn more than employed physicians?
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.
Does this work for NPs and PAs?
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.
How accurate is this calculator?
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.
What does 1099 mean for my taxes?
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.
How quickly can I get started?
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.
Locum income by specialty
Annualized ranges for full-time equivalent work. Your calculator estimate scales to your actual shift volume.
From gross pay to what you actually keep
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.
What you fund yourself
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.
- CME requirementsMost physicians spend $1,500–$3,500 per year on credits and conference fees. Some assignments include a CME stipend; many don't.
- Multi-state licensingEach additional state license costs $300–$1,000 in fees. The IMLC compact shortens this for participating states.
- Gap weeksLocum income is paid by the shift. Most full-time locums work 42–48 weeks per year — the rest is travel, paperwork, or chosen time off.
- Self-funded benefitsHealth insurance, disability, life, and retirement contributions are yours to set up unless the agency offers them as part of a W-2 arrangement.
See what's available for your specialty
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.