Locum Physician Compensation in Alabama
Survey benchmarks by specialty and facility setting. Compact state — multi-state license eligible.
Alabama — Benchmark Rates by Specialty
Median hourly rates in $/hr. Region: Southeast.
| Specialty | Urban Hospital — MedianUrban Median | Rural / Critical Access — MedianRural Median |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $350/hr | $404/hr |
| Cardiology | $367/hr | $319/hr |
| Dermatology | $336/hr | $292/hr |
| Emergency Medicine | $260/hr | $282/hr |
| Family Medicine | $146/hr | $169/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $433/hr | $453/hr |
| General Surgery | $371/hr | $323/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $449/hr | $469/hr |
| Hospitalist | $201/hr | $232/hr |
| Internal Medicine | $157/hr | $176/hr |
| Neonatology | $217/hr | $259/hr |
| Neurology | $298/hr | $328/hr |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | $268/hr | $302/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $448/hr | $389/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $400/hr | $419/hr |
| Pain Management | $376/hr | $393/hr |
| Pathology | $355/hr | $309/hr |
| Pediatrics | $153/hr | $169/hr |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $201/hr | $211/hr |
| Psychiatry | $189/hr | $233/hr |
| Radiology | $413/hr | $359/hr |
| Urology | $392/hr | $410/hr |
Highest-Paying Specialties in Alabama
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Hematology-Oncology | $498/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $445/hr |
| Radiology | $441/hr |
| Cardiology | $420/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $417/hr |
Alabama Market Overview
State income tax: 5% top marginal rate.
Alabama has a significant rural physician shortage, with large stretches of the Black Belt and northern counties designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas. Major health systems include UAB Medicine in Birmingham, Huntsville Hospital, and Mobile Infirmary, but rural critical access hospitals drive much of the locum demand. Cost of living is low, which moderates baseline rates, though shortage premiums can push rural assignments well above regional averages.
Licensing: Alabama participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A compact license held in another state can be used in Alabama without a separate AL license application.