Explore OBGYN NP and PA salary ranges, hourly rates, and how women’s health locum work shapes earning potential in 2026.
OBGYN NPs and PAs work at the intersection of primary women’s health, reproductive care, and surgical assistance. The combination of outpatient gynecology, prenatal care, and labor and delivery support creates a broad scope of practice that commands competitive compensation. Most earn between $128,000 and $142,000 annually, with surgical first-assist responsibilities, labor and delivery coverage, and underserved women’s health markets pushing compensation higher.
| Source | What it Measures | NP Compensation | PA Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AANP Compensation Report (2025) | Median annual NP compensation | ~$130,000 | N/A |
| AAPA Salary Report (2025) | Median annual PA compensation | N/A | ~$138,000 |
| Medscape APRN Compensation Report (2025) | Average total NP/PA compensation | ~$128,000 | ~$142,000 |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (2025) | Mean annual wage (all-specialty proxy) | ~$133K–$136K | ~$130K–$135K |
OBGYN APPs with surgical first-assist certification and labor and delivery experience consistently earn at the top of the compensation range. Women’s health access gaps in rural markets create persistent locum demand.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed NP (BLS mean, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$62–$68 /hr |
| W-2 employed PA (BLS mean, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$65–$72 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $90 /hr |
| Locum tenens — upper band | $105 /hr |
Sources: BLS OEWS 2025; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Rates reflect outpatient gynecology and prenatal care assignments. Labor and delivery and surgical first-assist assignments command premiums above the standard band.
Women’s health access gaps in rural and underserved markets create persistent locum demand for OBGYN APPs. Labor and delivery coverage commands the highest premiums.
OBGYN APP compensation peaks in markets where women’s health access gaps are most acute. Rural health systems, federally qualified health centers, and critical access hospitals with obstetric programs pay the highest locum premiums. Full-practice-authority states expand assignment availability for NPs.
Rural obstetric unit closures have accelerated in recent years, creating concentrated demand for OBGYN APPs willing to work in underserved markets.
The closure of rural obstetric units has created concentrated demand for OBGYN APPs in underserved markets. Locum APPs who fill these gaps command the highest premiums in the specialty.
A full-time OBGYN APP typically sees 15 to 20 patients per day in an outpatient gynecology or prenatal care setting. Responsibilities span well-woman exams, contraceptive management, prenatal visits, colposcopy, and minor gynecologic procedures. APPs with surgical first-assist certification participate in cesarean sections, hysterectomies, and other gynecologic surgeries, which significantly expands both scope and compensation.
Locum rates range from $90 to $105 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $225,000: target labor and delivery shifts, surgical first-assist responsibilities, and underserved women’s health markets at the top of the rate band.
Rural obstetric coverage and surgical first-assist assignments command the highest premiums in the OBGYN APP market.
OBGYN APPs who combine outpatient gynecology with labor and delivery coverage and surgical first-assist responsibilities access the highest-paying locum assignments in the specialty.
A $100/hr locum rate versus a $65/hr W-2 equivalent is a meaningful structural advantage. 1099 OBGYN 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 $128,000 (Medscape NP) and $142,000 (Medscape PA). Surgical first-assist certification, labor and delivery coverage, and underserved women’s health markets push compensation higher.
W-2 employed NPs average approximately $62 to $68 per hour and PAs $65 to $72 per hour based on BLS data. Locum tenens rates range from $90 to $105 per hour.
Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum shifts can push total compensation above $171,000. Full-time locum at $105/hr working 16 shifts per month yields approximately $202,000 annually.
Rural health systems, federally qualified health centers, and critical access hospitals with obstetric programs pay the highest locum premiums. Labor and delivery and surgical first-assist assignments command the largest rate differentials.
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