10 Dec Locum Tenens Salaries in Q4 2025: Essential Specialties in Demand and Salary Trends
As we end the final quarter of 2025, locum tenens physicians are becoming even more crucial in the healthcare system. With the flexibility to step in and fill gaps, locum tenens providers offer a solution for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities that face staffing shortages. Whether it’s covering a vacation, filling in during a busy season, or assisting with long-term absences, locum work remains in high demand. In this blog, we’ll explore the locum tenens salary trends for the 4th quarter of 2025 and highlight the top specialties where locum providers are needed the most.
Locum Tenens Salaries in Q4 2025: What You Can Expect
Locum tenens salaries are expected to stay strong through the 4th quarter of 2025. According to sources like LocumTenens.com and MedPage Today’s Physician Salary Survey, locum tenens physicians in the U.S. are typically earning between $150 and $220 per hour. This range can vary depending on the location, specialty, and type of assignment.
For example, hospitalists — physicians who manage patient care in hospitals — can earn $200 to $250 per hour in high-demand areas. Emergency medicine doctors working in busy ERs are earning around $180 to $220 per hour. On the other hand, specialties like psychiatry and cardiology see even higher rates. Locum psychiatrists can make up to $300 per hour, while cardiologists can earn $300 to $400 per hour for more specialized work.
Beyond hourly rates, locum tenens providers often receive extra benefits, such as travel stipends, housing allowances, and malpractice insurance. For example, travel stipends can cover up to $1,000 per week, and housing allowances can be as much as $2,000 per month.
Top Specialties in Demand for Locum Tenens in 2025
The demand for locum tenens physicians varies by specialty. However, several areas are seeing particularly high demand in the last months of 2025. Below are the specialties most in need of locum tenens physicians:
1. Hospital Medicine (Hospitalists)
Hospitalists, who focus on managing patients in hospitals, are one of the most sought-after specialties in locum tenens work. Hospitals continue to face challenges in recruiting and retaining hospitalists, especially in rural or underserved areas. As flu season hits and patient volumes increase, more hospitalists are needed to help manage care. This need is especially high in hospitals with heavy patient loads.
Salary Insight: Hospitalists can earn anywhere from $200 to $250 per hour, depending on the location and demand.
2. Emergency Medicine
Emergency rooms across the country are experiencing a steady need for locum physicians. This demand increases in the fall and winter, as respiratory illnesses and the flu season drive up patient visits. Additionally, many emergency departments are understaffed, making locum tenens emergency medicine physicians a key resource for hospitals.
Salary Insight: Emergency medicine locums generally earn $180 to $220 per hour, with some earning more depending on the location.
3. Psychiatry
Psychiatry has seen a major rise in locum tenens demand in recent years. The increasing awareness of mental health and the shortage of mental health professionals has made locum psychiatrists a critical part of the workforce. Locum psychiatrists are often needed in inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient clinics, and correctional facilities.
Salary Insight: Locum psychiatrists are earning up to $300 per hour for roles in high-need areas or specialized settings like correctional health services.
4. Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologists are in high demand for locum tenens roles, especially in surgical settings. Whether it’s covering planned surgeries or urgent procedures, anesthesiologists are needed to ensure patients are safe and properly anesthetized during operations. Locum anesthesiologists can often work in flexible shifts, making it an appealing option for many.
Salary Insight: Locum anesthesiologists typically earn $250 to $350 per hour, depending on the location and type of assignment.
5. Cardiology
Cardiologists are increasingly needed in the locum tenens market, particularly in light of the growing number of cardiovascular diseases and an aging population. Hospitals and outpatient clinics are turning to locum cardiologists to help manage patient volumes and deliver specialized care.
Salary Insight: Locum cardiologists can expect to earn anywhere from $300 to $400 per hour, especially for high-demand procedures or in underserved areas.
Why Are Certain Specialties in High Demand?
Several factors contribute to the growing demand for locum tenens physicians in the final quarter of 2025:
Physician Shortages: There is an ongoing shortage of healthcare providers in certain specialties, such as hospital medicine, psychiatry, and anesthesiology. This shortage has led to a greater reliance on locum tenens workers to fill the gaps.
Seasonal Patient Surges: Fall and winter months tend to see an increase in patient visits due to respiratory illnesses, flu season, and other seasonal health concerns. This results in more demand for temporary staff, especially in emergency departments and primary care settings.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Many physicians prefer the flexibility that locum tenens work offers. Being able to choose where and when they work, as well as taking assignments that align with their lifestyle preferences, makes locum tenens a popular option.
Locum Tenens Salaries Overall
In Q4 2025, locum tenens salaries continue to be competitive and flexible job opportunities for healthcare providers across the United States. Specialties like hospital medicine, emergency medicine, psychiatry, anesthesiology, and cardiology are seeing the highest demand, with rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour, depending on the location and specialty.
For healthcare organizations, locum tenens providers are becoming increasingly important in ensuring consistent patient care, especially in high-demand specialties. Physicians interested in locum tenens work can find competitive pay, benefits, and the ability to choose assignments that fit their personal and professional goals.
To learn more about locum tenens salaries and staffing trends, visit these resources:
LocumTenens.com Locum Tenens Salaries Data
MedPage Today’s Physician Salary Survey
Contact Annashae Staffing: Your Partner for Top-Tier Talent and Career Opportunities
As demand for locum tenens physicians continues to rise, healthcare administrators need a trusted partner to help find the right talent for their facilities. Whether you’re looking to fill critical short-term vacancies or planning for longer-term staffing needs, Annashae Staffing is here to connect you with highly qualified physicians across all specialties and regions. Our extensive network and personalized approach ensure that you receive the best-fit providers who not only meet your staffing requirements but also align with your organization’s culture and goals.
For physicians, Annashae offers access to flexible career opportunities nationwide. Whether you prefer to work in urban centers or rural settings, we can help you find locum tenens assignments that match your expertise, desired schedule, and lifestyle. With competitive compensation, travel benefits, and the opportunity to explore different practice settings, locum work can provide the perfect balance of professional growth and personal freedom.
Don’t let staffing shortages or career uncertainty hold you back. Contact Annashae Staffing today to discover how we can help your organization thrive with top-tier locum talent, or how we can help you find the perfect locum tenens role to advance your career on your terms. Let us be your trusted partner in navigating your healthcare staffing needs.
