Explore emergency medicine NP and PA salary ranges, hourly rates, and how shift volume, acuity, and locum work shape earning potential in 2026.
Emergency medicine PAs provide acute care across the full spectrum of emergency presentations, from minor illness to critical trauma. The combination of high patient volume, shift-based scheduling, and broad procedural scope creates one of the most locum-friendly PA specialties. Most earn between $142,000 and $145,000 annually, with nights, weekends, rural emergency departments, and procedural competency pushing compensation higher.
| Source | What it Measures | NP Compensation | PA Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AANP/AAPA Compensation Reports (2025) | Median total compensation | ~$145,000 | ~$146,000 |
| Medscape APP Compensation Report (2025) | Average total compensation | ~$142,000 | ~$146,000 |
| OnCall Solutions APP Salary Guide (2025) | Average annual compensation | ~$145,000 | ~$146,000 |
| BLS (all-specialty proxy) | Mean annual wage | ~$133K–$136K | ~$130K–$137K |
Emergency medicine PAs who accept nights, weekends, and rural emergency department assignments consistently earn at the top of the compensation range and access the highest-paying locum opportunities./p>
Sources: BLS OEWS 2025; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Rural and underserved emergency department locum assignments command the highest rates, reflecting the difficulty of filling these high-acuity shifts with qualified PAs on short notice.
Emergency medicine PA compensation peaks in markets where ED volume and limited PA supply combine. Rural emergency departments, critical access hospitals, and high-census urban EDs pay the highest locum premiums. Night and weekend shift differentials add significant income above base rates.
The highest-earning emergency medicine APPs are often the clinicians willing to cover the shifts and markets hospitals struggle most to staff.
A full-time emergency medicine APP typically sees 2.0 to 2.5 patients per hour across a 10-hour shift, managing acute illness, minor trauma, laceration repair, fracture management, and critical care stabilization. The shift-based structure eliminates on-call burden and creates natural schedule flexibility, making emergency medicine one of the most locum-compatible PA specialties.
Locum rates range from $95 to $110 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $225,000: cover nights and weekends, work in rural or underserved emergency departments, maintain strong procedural competency, and stay flexible around geography and scheduling.
The highest-earning emergency medicine APPs are often the clinicians willing to cover the shifts and markets hospitals struggle most to staff.
A $100/hr locum rate versus a $70/hr W-2 equivalent is a meaningful structural advantage. 1099 emergency 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 $142,000 (Medscape) and $145,000 (AAPA). Nights, weekends, rural emergency departments, and procedural competency push compensation higher.
W-2 employed emergency medicine APPs average approximately $68 to $72 per hour based on BLS data. Locum tenens rates range from $95 to $110 per hour.
Hybrid models combining employed income with regular locum shifts can push total compensation above $181,000. Full-time locum at $110/hr working 14 shifts per month yields approximately $185,000 annually.
Rural emergency departments, critical access hospitals, and high-census urban EDs pay the highest locum premiums. Night and weekend shift differentials add significant income above base rates.
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