Explore occupational medicine NP and PA salary ranges, hourly rates, and how employer program expertise and locum work shape earning potential in 2026.
Occupational medicine is a niche within the advanced practice provider market, sitting at the intersection of workplace health, injury management, compliance, and employer health programs. Most occupational medicine APPs — nurse practitioners and physician assistants — earn between $120,000 and $130,000 annually, with leadership responsibilities, compliance expertise, and multi-site oversight pushing compensation higher.
| Source | What it Measures | NP Compensation | PA Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AANP/AAPA Compensation Reports (2025) | Median annual compensation | ~$125,000 | ~$125,000 |
| OnCall Solutions APP Salary Guide (2025) | Average annual compensation | ~$120,000 | ~$122,000 |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (2025) | Mean annual wage (all-specialty proxy) | ~$133K–$136K | ~$130K–$135K |
Occupational medicine APP compensation clusters more tightly than most specialties. The specialty rarely produces extreme salary outliers. Earning leverage typically comes from leadership, compliance expertise, and multi-site oversight rather than raw clinical volume.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed NP/PA (BLS mean, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$60–$64 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $70 /hr |
| Locum tenens — upper band | $90 /hr |
Sources: BLS OEWS 2025; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Occupational medicine is becoming more APP-dependent over time because compliance demand continues growing while the physician workforce remains relatively small.
Occupational medicine APP compensation peaks in industrial markets with high employer health program demand. Manufacturing corridors, energy sector markets, and transportation hubs pay the highest locum premiums. DOT/FMCSA certification significantly expands assignment availability and rate potential.
Occupational medicine is becoming more APP-dependent over time because compliance demand continues growing while the physician workforce remains relatively small.
A full-time occupational medicine APP manages a mix of injury evaluations, return-to-work assessments, DOT physicals, drug and alcohol testing oversight, and employer health program administration. The combination of clinical and compliance responsibilities creates a distinctive practice environment that differs significantly from traditional outpatient medicine.
Locum rates range from $70 to $90 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $160,000: add employer program oversight, manage multi-site occupational health operations, obtain DOT/FMCSA certification, and work in underserved industrial markets.
Full-time locum occupational medicine work is less about maximizing raw income and more about maximizing flexibility, schedule control, and autonomy.
An $80/hr locum rate versus a $62/hr W-2 equivalent is a meaningful structural advantage. 1099 occupational medicine APPs unlock business deductions across licensing, CME, travel, and equipment; higher retirement contributions through a SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k); the Qualified Business Income deduction of up to 20%; and S-corp structuring at higher income levels. Barton partners with Earned to help locum APPs navigate these decisions.
Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!
We’ll schedule a phone consultation to discuss your interests, goals, and work history to find the right opportunities.
Your Barton rep will submit your information to the facility you want to take an assignment at and work on next steps.
Barton handles licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive so you’re ready on day one.
Most earn between $120,000 (OnCall Solutions) and $125,000 (AANP/AAPA). Leadership responsibilities, compliance expertise, and multi-site oversight push compensation higher.
W-2 employed NPs and PAs average approximately $60 to $64 per hour based on BLS data. Locum tenens rates range from $70 to $90 per hour.
Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum shifts can push total compensation above $144,000. Full-time locum at $90/hr working 10 shifts per month yields approximately $108,000 annually.
Manufacturing corridors, energy sector markets, and transportation hubs pay the highest locum premiums. DOT/FMCSA certification significantly expands assignment availability and rate potential.
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