Your physician salary is only part of the financial picture
Compensation matters, but so do debt, taxes, retirement contributions, flexibility, and the number of days you choose to work. Locums can be used full time, between roles, or alongside a permanent position, which makes it worth evaluating with your own situation.
Increase income
Accelerate debt payoff
Build retirement savings
Create more flexibility
See your potential earnings with the locum tenens pay calculator
Choose your specialty, current compensation, and the amount of locums work you’re considering. We’ll estimate potential additional income and show how it could affect the goals you select.
Compare physician compensation
Start with the national picture, then explore current salary trends for your specialty. Each report includes the latest compensation data and context on how locums may fit into the market.
Browse salary reports by specialty
Explore compensation trends for your specific field.
What could locum tenens income help you do?
However you're using locums—full time, between roles, or alongside a permanent position—the extra income can work toward whatever's next for you.
Paying down student loans?
Direct additional after-tax income toward your physician student loans and pay them off faster.
Building for retirement?
Increase your retirement contributions or diversify your income beyond a single source.
Ready to work less?
Scale back your schedule without giving up your income.
*Actual pay, taxes, expenses, and outcomes will vary.
See how many locum tenens hours it takes to pay off your debt
Enter your target payoff date, specialty, and current debt to get a personalized estimate of the locum hours it could take—based on typical pay ranges and your own tax and payment assumptions.
See how physicians are using locum tenens to reach their financial goals
From paying down medical school debt to saving for a home, more travel, or simply having extra room in the budget, locums can give physicians another way to put their income toward the things that matter most.
Plan for the financial side of 1099 work
While locums income can create opportunities, independent contractor work also requires planning. These resources can help you prepare better questions for your tax and financial professionals.
Frequently asked locums financial questions
It can be, depending on your specialty, location, schedule, expenses, taxes, and goals. Compare a realistic locums scenario with your current compensation and account for both the potential income and the responsibilities of 1099 work.
Locum tenens compensation varies by specialty, demand, location, schedule, call requirements, and assignment details. Use the calculator for an illustrative scenario, then review current opportunities for assignment-specific information.
Many physicians take locums assignments alongside permanent work, subject to their employment agreement, schedule, licensing, and other obligations. Review any outside-work or noncompete terms before accepting an assignment.
Physicians working as independent contractors generally receive 1099 income and may need to plan for estimated taxes and business expenses. Tax treatment varies, so consult a qualified tax professional.
Additional after-tax income could be directed toward physician student loans debt, but the impact depends on your loan terms, payment strategy, locums schedule, taxes, and expenses. The calculator can illustrate a scenario using your assumptions.
Depending on eligibility and circumstances, self-employed physicians may consider options such as a Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA. Contribution limits and coordination with other plans can be complex, so it’s wise to consult qualified tax and financial professionals.
Yes. Our travel and housing experts handle your accommodation needs, including any fees. And our licensing and credentialing team leads you through the process and covers associated costs. You also get malpractice insurance, including tail insurance, for your assignments.
The calculator provides illustrative estimates based on the data and assumptions displayed with your results. It cannot predict assignment availability, exact compensation, taxes, expenses, investment returns, or personal financial outcomes.
Ready to explore a scenario that fits your goals?
A Weatherby consultant can walk you through current opportunities, schedules, locations, and compensation factors—with no obligation to accept an assignment.
Thank you,
We appreciate you contacting us. A consultant will be reaching out to you shortly to discuss this job opportunity. You can also get in touch with us directly by calling 954.618.5296.