Locum Physician Compensation in Arizona
Survey benchmarks by specialty and facility setting. Compact state — multi-state license eligible.
Arizona — Benchmark Rates by Specialty
Median hourly rates in $/hr. Region: Southwest.
| Specialty | Urban Hospital — MedianUrban Median | Rural / Critical Access — MedianRural Median |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $344/hr | $397/hr |
| Cardiology | $308/hr | $268/hr |
| Dermatology | $407/hr | $354/hr |
| Emergency Medicine | $275/hr | $298/hr |
| Family Medicine | $154/hr | $178/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $395/hr | $413/hr |
| General Surgery | $397/hr | $346/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $432/hr | $452/hr |
| Hospitalist | $203/hr | $234/hr |
| Internal Medicine | $159/hr | $180/hr |
| Neonatology | $212/hr | $253/hr |
| Neurology | $351/hr | $387/hr |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | $284/hr | $320/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $510/hr | $443/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $300/hr | $314/hr |
| Pain Management | $367/hr | $383/hr |
| Pathology | $378/hr | $329/hr |
| Pediatrics | $160/hr | $177/hr |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $197/hr | $206/hr |
| Psychiatry | $215/hr | $266/hr |
| Radiology | $404/hr | $352/hr |
| Urology | $389/hr | $407/hr |
Highest-Paying Specialties in Arizona
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $604/hr |
| Urology | $473/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $469/hr |
| Dermatology | $468/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $427/hr |
Arizona Market Overview
State income tax: 2.5% top marginal rate. Arizona has a low state tax burden, making effective take-home competitive with no-tax states.
Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states by population, creating sustained physician demand across the Phoenix and Tucson metros. Banner Health, Dignity Health, and Honor Health are the dominant systems in the urban corridor. Beyond the cities, rural and tribal communities — including Navajo Nation and the rural southeast — face acute physician shortages, generating premium locum opportunities in primary care and emergency medicine.
Licensing: Arizona participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A compact license held in another state can be used in Arizona without a separate AZ license application.