Explore urologist salary ranges, hourly rates, and how surgical volume and locum work shape earning potential in 2026.
Urology remains one of the highest-paid surgical specialties as workforce shortages, aging demographics, and growing procedural demand continue to outpace physician supply. Most urologists earn between $496,000 and $590,000 annually, with practice structure, surgical volume, geographic demand, and subspecialty focus driving the widest variation.
| Source | What it Measures | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Merritt Hawkins (2024 Review) | Average starting salary | $496,000 |
| Medscape Physician Compensation Report (2026, data year 2025) | Average total compensation | $535,000 |
| Doximity Physician Compensation Report (2025, data year 2024) | Median total compensation | $559,474 |
| SalaryDr (April 2026, 73 verified submissions) | Median verified compensation | $590,000 |
Urology compensation remains strong across every major benchmark, but the real variation comes from surgical volume, subspecialty focus (oncology, robotics, pediatric urology), and practice ownership structure.
| Compensation Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| W-2 employed (derived from Medscape avg, ~2,080 hrs) | ~$257 /hr |
| Locum tenens — lower band | $200 /hr |
| Locum tenens — upper band | $500 /hr |
Sources: Medscape 2026; Barton Associates market data 2025–2026.
Urology locum rates have one of the widest bands in medicine. The top of the band reflects high-demand surgical coverage in markets with no alternative urologist access.
Urology pay is driven by supply-demand imbalance, with rural and underserved markets paying the highest locum premiums. The AUA reports that more than 40% of urologists are over age 55, creating a significant retirement wave that will accelerate coverage gaps over the next decade.
More than 40% of urologists are over age 55. The retirement wave over the next decade will accelerate coverage gaps in rural and underserved markets — creating structural locum demand that will persist for years.
A standard full-time urologist performs 8 to 12 operative cases per week, with clinic days for new patient evaluations, cystoscopies, and follow-up visits. Robotic surgery, oncology, and pediatric urology subspecialties command the highest compensation. Call coverage — particularly for urologic emergencies — is the most demanding component of the role and the primary driver of locum demand.
Locum rates range from $200 to $500 per hour. The four scenarios below use representative rates from within that band.
To exceed $900,000: focus on robotic surgery coverage, oncology, and markets with the most acute urologist shortages at the top of the rate band.
Urology locum income scales with surgical complexity and market scarcity. The top of the rate band reflects markets where there is no alternative urologist access and urgent surgical coverage is required.
A $400/hr locum rate versus a $257/hr W-2 equivalent is a transformative structural advantage. 1099 urologists 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 physicians 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 $496,000 (Merritt Hawkins starting) and $590,000 (SalaryDr median). Doximity reports a median of $559,474. Medscape reports an average of $535,000.
W-2 employed urologists average approximately $257 per hour. Locum tenens rates range from $200 to $500 per hour — one of the widest bands in medicine.
Yes. Full-time locum at $500/hr working 18 days per month yields approximately $864,000 annually. Hybrid models combining employed income with locum days can push total compensation above $611,200.
Rural and underserved markets pay the highest locum premiums. The AUA reports that more than 40% of urologists are over age 55, creating a retirement wave that will accelerate coverage gaps over the next decade.
Tell us a bit about yourself to get started — we’ll match you with the right opportunities.
