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2026 U.S. LOCUM EM HOURLY RATE BENCHMARK: BY AI
What is the nationwide average per hour rate for Locum Tenens Emergency Medicine Physicians in the U.S.?
Yes. Based on the most current 2026 market data, I would use about $300/hour as the nationwide benchmark for a Locum Tenens Emergency Medicine Physician.
The important distinction is between the average market rate and what a recruiter should consider a good/competitive rate.
2026 U.S. Locum EM hourly-rate benchmark
Market level Approx. hourly rate
Lower-end / easy-to-fill assignment $225–$275/hr
National market average ~$300/hr
Strong/competitive assignment $300–$350/hr
High-demand/rural/trauma $350–$400+/hr
Crisis / very hard-to-fill $400–$425+ /hr
August 2026 data puts the national average at $300/hr for locum Emergency Medicine physicians. Their actual reported examples range from $225/hr in New Mexico to $390/hr in West Virginia.
Another 2026 locum compensation source puts EM at $275–$375/hr, while a separate 2026 guide gives a broader $200–$350/hr range.
What I'm seeing in actual 2026 assignments
There are some particularly useful current numbers for your recruiting work:
Florida: approximately $281/hr average for EM MD locums in the provided data
Texas: approximately $295/hr.
Michigan: approximately $300/hr.
North Carolina: approximately $292/hr.
Pennsylvania/California: approximately $325/hr.
Bottom line: For 2026, Approximately $300/hour is the national locum EM benchmark, with $325–$375+ being a strong target depending on geography and assignment difficulty.
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Definition of the Locums Market
The locums market refers to the segment of the healthcare staffing industry that provides temporary, short-term clinical coverage for licensed healthcare providers such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other clinicians. In this model, a “locum” is a qualified professional who temporarily fills a clinical position at a healthcare facility when there is a vacancy, a leave of absence, a seasonal surge in demand, or a position that is difficult to fill permanently.
How It Works
- Coverage Gap Identification – A hospital, clinic, health system, or private practice identifies a need for a clinician in a specific specialty or role.
- Staffing Agency Engagement – The facility contracts a staffing agency to source and place a qualified provider.
- Recruitment & Credentialing – The agency recruits a licensed provider, manages credentialing, compliance, and licensing requirements, and arranges travel, housing, and insurance.
- Placement – The provider works as an independent contractor through the agency, typically for a defined period (from a single day to several months)
Scope and Size
- In the U.S., the locum tenens market was valued at about $9.6 billion in 2025 and is the only temporary healthcare staffing segment that has grown every year since 2021
- Globally, the market is valued at $29.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $52.4 billion by 2033 at a 7.2% CAGR.
- The U.S. market is dominated by physicians (around 42–61% of staffing volume depending on the source) and is supported by advanced practice providers like nurse practitioners, who are the fastest-growing occupation in healthcare.
Key Drivers
- Physician shortages and high burnout rates are major drivers, with shortages projected to worsen through 2037.
- Flexible workforce demand — facilities avoid long-term payroll commitments by using locums instead of permanent hires.
- Technology adoption — credentialing automation, virtual marketplaces, and faster deployment reduce “days-to-fill” and improve competitiveness.
- Specialty demand — psychiatry, emergency medicine, OB/GYN, orthopedic surgery, and behavioral health see especially high locum utilization.
In short, the locums market is the business of providing temporary, contract-based clinical staffing to maintain continuity of care in healthcare settings, and it has become a strategic, high-growth segment in response to workforce shortages, burnout, and operational flexibility needs.
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