In short…
- OB/GYN employment opportunities are growing—not because there are more providers, but because demand is rising faster than supply.
- A projected shortage of nearly 9,900 OB/GYNs by 2037 has already left 5.5 million American women with limited or no access to maternity care.
- Locum tenens OB/GYN jobs offer flexible, high-impact ways for providers to help address these care gaps nationwide.
Births in the U.S. increased by 1% in 2024, yet a study by the March of Dimes found that 5.5 million American women have limited or no access to maternity care. Obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are crucial for women’s health during pregnancy and beyond, and these significant care gaps are driving new OB/GYN employment opportunities for locum tenens professionals, especially in communities where access to maternity services is limited. Read on as we explore the outlook for OB/GYN jobs in 2025 and beyond, why locum tenens is an attractive option for OB/GYNs, and answer FAQs about the OB/GYN profession.
Is there an OB/GYN shortage?
There’s a growing shortage of OB/GYNs in the United States—projections from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) show the country will be short 9,890 OB/GYNs in 2037. This isn’t due to falling demand—in fact, OB/GYN job openings are expected to increase in the coming years. The issue is that not enough providers are entering or staying in the workforce to keep up.
This decrease in supply has likely contributed to growing gaps in access to maternity care. In fact, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that 52% of rural hospitals and 36% of urban hospitals didn’t offer obstetric care in 2022, highlighting a significant disparity across the country that poses serious risks to maternal and infant health.
What’s causing the OB/GYN shortage?
The OB/GYN shortage is primarily due to a rapidly aging provider workforce, fewer students entering the profession, and an increase in burnout among maternal health providers.
Around a quarter (23.4%) of all physicians in the United States were 60 years of age or older in 2023 according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). In addition, the American Medical Association (AMA) predicts that 35% of the physician workforce will be of retirement age by 2027. These aging providers, along with rising birth rates and a patient population who may require more complex gynecological care as they grow older, create a perfect storm of increasing demand and dwindling supply.
The obvious answer to this issue is to train more OB/GYNs, but the rate of new providers is simply not keeping up with increased need. Data from the AMA show that while there was a small overall increase (0.6%) in the number of medical school seniors applying for OB/GYN residencies in 2023-2024, there was a 6.7% decrease in applications in states that have banned abortion.
Another factor impacting the supply of OB/GYNs is burnout. According to a 2024 article in The Hill, increased administrative tasks have strained providers and caused many to leave the profession.
Are OB/GYN employment opportunities growing in 2025 and beyond?
Despite the growing shortage of OB/GYNs in the United States, overall employment of these critical healthcare providers is expected to grow into the 2030s. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), OB/GYN employment is projected to increase by 4% between 2023 and 2033, from 21,300 to 22,000.
That’s about as fast as the growth rate for all occupations in the United States, as well as for physicians and surgeons in general, over the same timeframe. While OB/GYN employment opportunities are increasing, the issues of an aging workforce, burnout, and limited new entrants to the field mean that demand is likely to outpace this growth. This gap between supply and demand creates significant opportunities for OB/GYNs, especially those willing to take on locum tenens OB/GYN jobs to address critical care shortages across the country.
Why take locum tenens OB/GYN employment opportunities?
As the OB/GYN shortage continues to grow, locum tenens positions offer a flexible and impactful way to address this critical need while providing numerous benefits to healthcare professionals. Here are five key reasons to consider locum tenens OB/GYN jobs:
- Address critical shortages: Help fill crucial gaps in maternity care, especially in underserved areas, making a significant impact on women’s health.
- Flexibility and work-life balance: Choose when and where to work, allowing for better control over your schedule.
- Higher earning potential: Locum tenens OB/GYNs can potentially earn more, with hourly rates up to $200.
- Professional development: Gain diverse experience by working in various healthcare settings and with different patient populations.
- Avoid burnout: The ability to take breaks between assignments and change work environments can help prevent burnout, a common issue in the OB/GYN field.
These opportunities not only offer OB/GYNs the chance to enjoy a rewarding career but also play a crucial role in addressing the growing shortage in women’s healthcare across the country.
What is the average OB/GYN salary?
The average annual wage for an OB/GYN in the U.S. was $281,130 in 2024, according to the BLS. OB/GYNs often make more than this—according to Medscape’s Physician Compensation Report 2025, a survey of over 7,000 doctors across over 29 specialties found that average total pay for an OB/GYN was $372,000. OB/GYN salary appears to be increasing, as Medscape’s most recent report revealed that total pay for OB/GYNs rose 6% from 2023 to 2024.
Locum tenens OB/GYN physicians can make up to $200 per hour, but pay rates depend heavily on the location of the job, the provider’s experience, the demand, and other factors. When you extrapolate this upper bound over a year at 40 hours a week, locum tenens OB/GYNs could make up to $416,000 annually.
What are the highest-paying states for OB/GYN jobs?
According to BLS data, the five states with the highest annual average wage for OB/GYNs are:
What states need locum tenens OB/GYNs in 2025?
We’re seeing increased demand for locum tenens OB/GYNs in the following states:
These aren’t the only states with available locum tenens OB/GYN jobs—see our complete job board for all open positions and apply today.
Find Locum Tenens OB/GYN Employment Opportunities with Barton Associates
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OB/GYN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does OB/GYN stand for?
OB/GYN stands for obstetrician/gynecologist. This abbreviation combines two medical specialties:
- OB (Obstetrician): A doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
- GYN (Gynecologist): A doctor who focuses on women’s reproductive health.
An OB/GYN is a physician trained to provide comprehensive care for women’s reproductive health throughout their lives, from adolescence through menopause and beyond.
What is a gynecologist?
A gynecologist is a medical doctor who specializes in women’s reproductive health, focusing on the female reproductive system, including the vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts.
What does a gynecologist do?
Gynecologists provide a range of services including annual check-ups, cancer screenings, treatment for reproductive system disorders, and advice on contraception and sexual health. They diagnose and treat issues such as menstrual disorders, fertility problems, and sexually transmitted infections.
What is an obstetrician?
An obstetrician is a medical doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. They care for women throughout their pregnancies and deliver babies.
What is obstetrics?
Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that deals with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It focuses on caring for the mother and fetus before, during, and immediately after birth.
What does an obstetrician do?
Obstetricians monitor pregnancies, perform prenatal check-ups, manage high-risk pregnancies, deliver babies (including via cesarean section when necessary), and provide immediate postpartum care for both mother and newborn.
What does an OB/GYN do?
An OB/GYN combines the roles of both obstetrician and gynecologist. They provide comprehensive care for women’s reproductive health throughout their lives, including routine gynecological care, pregnancy and childbirth services, and treatment for reproductive system disorders. OB/GYNs can perform surgeries, manage complex health issues, and offer preventive care and education.
