Do Locum Doctors Earn Higher Salaries?
Depending on which specialty worked in, Locum Doctors report earning anywhere between $90 to $300 per hour. Compared to the average salary of a permanently employed Medical Doctor, Barton Associates’ Locum MD’s can almost double their yearly income depending on their specialty, location, experience, and demand.

Locum Doctor Salary FAQs
What Do Physicians Earn?
Q: What is the yearly average salary for Doctors and Physicians?
A: $352,000 USD, according to the 2023 Medscape Physician Compensation Report, though the range of salaries varies depending on the specialty. Self-employed doctors, which includes locum tenens physicians, earned even more on average: $374,000 USD.
Q: What is the starting salary for a Locum Doctor?
A: Starting rates for Locum Tenens Doctors depend on their specialty, location, and levels of demand, however, Locum MD average starting rates can be as much as 10.2% higher than the national average hourly rate for permanent Medical Doctors.
Q: How much do Locum Doctors earn per hour?
A:Locum Doctors can make anywhere between $90 to $300 or more per hour depending on their specialty, however, there are many other factors that impact rates including location, years of experience, and the level of demand.
Q: What was the difference in average salary in 2022 for Locum Doctors compared to 2020?
A. Barton Associates’ Locum Doctors earn on average 43% more in 2022 than they did in 2020.
Q. Where do Locum Doctors make the highest average salary in the United States?
A. Barton’s Travel Medical Doctors tend to earn the highest hourly rates in West Virginia, where their rates can earn them up to 97.5% more than permanently employed Medical Doctors.
Go Locum, Earn More
EASILY INCREASE YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR SALARY
Find out how much more you could make as a locum doctor using Barton’s Locum Tenens Salary Tool.
*Actual rates may vary based on experience, location, and other factors. Contact your recruiter for more information. Calculations based on Barton Associates data, and publicly available data from the following sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ziprecruiter.com.
Find Locum Physician Jobs
THE LATEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCUM PHYSICIANS
BARTON'S 3-STEP PROCESS
How It Works
Barton coordinates your job search from start to finish!
TALK WITH A REP
We’ll schedule a phone consultation with a Barton Associates team member to discuss your interests, goals, and work history in order to get a sense of what you’re looking for in your next job.
Your Barton team will then go to work, compiling a list of open jobs in our extensive network that match your interests and skill set.
REVIEW YOUR OPTIONS
Once you’ve had a chance to evaluate your list of opportunities, your Barton rep will submit your information to facility you want to take an assignment at.
If there’s a match, we’ll work with the client manager on next steps.
START YOUR JOB!
Don’t worry! Barton Associates will handle licensing, credentialing, and travel arrangements before you arrive.
Your Barton rep will also work with your new facility to ensure you’re set up and ready to go on day one.