Cardiology Locum Compensation Benchmarks

Based on BLS OEWS public data and CMS geographic adjustment factors, processed through a locum-adjusted model, calibrated and validated against publicly posted rates and observations.

Cardiology — National Benchmark

Locum market rates, 2026.

P25

$266/hr

Median

$322/hr

P75

$392/hr

P90

$472/hr

Regional Estimates

Cardiology hourly rate benchmarks by region and setting
Region	Setting	P25	Median	P75
Northeast	Urban Hospital	$253/hr	$307/hr	$373/hr
Northeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$220/hr	$267/hr	$325/hr
Midwest	Urban Hospital	$274/hr	$333/hr	$405/hr
Midwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$239/hr	$289/hr	$352/hr
South	Urban Hospital	$297/hr	$361/hr	$439/hr
South	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$259/hr	$314/hr	$382/hr
Southeast	Urban Hospital	$302/hr	$367/hr	$446/hr
Southeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$263/hr	$319/hr	$388/hr
West	Urban Hospital	$249/hr	$302/hr	$368/hr
West	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$217/hr	$263/hr	$320/hr
Southwest	Urban Hospital	$254/hr	$308/hr	$375/hr
Southwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$221/hr	$268/hr	$326/hr

Rate Evaluator

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Market Overview

Cardiology locum rates vary significantly by subspecialty — interventional cardiology commands the highest rates of any medical subspecialty. General (non-interventional) cardiology covers inpatient consults, echocardiography, and clinic coverage. Rural critical access hospitals with cath labs are a separate, high-premium market.

Interventional cardiology commands the highest rates of any medical subspecialty
Cath lab coverage at rural critical access hospitals with structural heart programs pays premium rates
Electrophysiology (ablations, device management) is a near-shortage separate market
General cardiology inpatient consult coverage is the most common entry-level locum assignment

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Key Leverage Points

Urban Hospital

Interventional cardiology (PCI, structural heart) commands 40–60% above general cards
Electrophysiology capability (ablations, device management) is a separate high-rate market
Echocardiography reading and performance capability expands available assignments
Night and weekend STEMI call coverage is the single highest-leverage negotiating point

Rural Critical Access

Any cardiology coverage is premium at rural hospitals — you have full negotiating leverage
Cath lab capability at rural sites commands the highest cardiology locum premiums
Cardiac rehab program medical director role can supplement coverage income
Telemedicine cardiology consults have expanded rural coverage models significantly

Contract Review Checklist

Items to review carefully before signing

Interventional credentialing not confirmed before rate negotiation — verify cath lab privileges
On-call STEMI coverage without a separate call rate — standard is significant differential
Device management responsibility not specified — remote monitoring can add significant time
Read volume for echocardiography not capped — technical reads can add hours to your day

Cardiology Negotiation Toolkit

Word-for-word scripts for every recruiter objection, 50-state rate tables at P25/50/75/90, leverage points by credential and shift type, and a contract red flag checklist. $99 one-time.