Locum tenens day rates vary significantly by specialty, geography, and assignment type. Here's how the compensation model works and what factors actually move your rate.
How day rates work
Most locum tenens compensation is expressed as a daily or hourly rate. Your rate covers your clinical time — the agency bills the facility a higher rate and keeps the margin. Rates are quoted before taxes; as a 1099 contractor you receive the full amount and pay taxes quarterly.
What drives your rate up
- Specialty — anesthesiology, psychiatry, and surgical specialties command the highest rates
- Urgency — facilities in crisis pay premium rates for fast coverage
- Geography — rural and underserved areas pay more due to limited supply
- Call requirements — assignments with heavy call pay more
- Multi-state licensing — physicians licensed in multiple states have access to more assignments and more negotiating leverage
What drives your rate down
- High-supply markets — urban areas with many available physicians
- Longer assignments — facilities often offer slightly lower rates for longer contracts in exchange for schedule certainty
- Primary care specialties in non-rural settings — family medicine and internal medicine in urban areas have the most competition
Typical day rate ranges by specialty
| Specialty | Typical Day Rate |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medicine | $250–$350/hr |
| Anesthesiology | $300–$450/hr |
| Psychiatry | $200–$300/hr |
| Surgery | $200–$350/hr |
| Radiology | $200–$300/hr |
| Hospitalist | $150–$250/hr |
| Internal Medicine | $150–$230/hr |
| Family Medicine | $150–$220/hr |
Rates are estimates based on current market data and vary by location, experience, and assignment specifics. Contact a Falcon advisor for current rates in your specialty.
Beyond the day rate
The total compensation picture includes more than your hourly rate:
- Travel and housing covered by Falcon — add this to your effective compensation
- Malpractice coverage included — worth $10K–$40K/year depending on specialty
- Licensing fees covered on many assignments — ask before accepting
Bottom line
- Specialty and geography are the two biggest levers
- Call requirements move rates significantly — clarify before accepting
- Total compensation includes travel, housing, and malpractice — factor it in
- Talk to a Falcon advisor for current market rates in your specialty and region