Emergency Medicine 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.

Emergency Medicine — National Benchmark

Locum market rates, 2026.

P25

$227/hr

Median

$256/hr

P75

$290/hr

P90

$322/hr

Regional Estimates

Emergency Medicine hourly rate benchmarks by region and setting
Region	Setting	P25	Median	P75
Northeast	Urban Hospital	$223/hr	$251/hr	$284/hr
Northeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$241/hr	$272/hr	$308/hr
Midwest	Urban Hospital	$243/hr	$274/hr	$309/hr
Midwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$263/hr	$297/hr	$335/hr
South	Urban Hospital	$246/hr	$278/hr	$314/hr
South	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$267/hr	$301/hr	$340/hr
Southeast	Urban Hospital	$231/hr	$260/hr	$294/hr
Southeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$250/hr	$282/hr	$319/hr
West	Urban Hospital	$229/hr	$258/hr	$292/hr
West	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$248/hr	$280/hr	$316/hr
Southwest	Urban Hospital	$244/hr	$275/hr	$311/hr
Southwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$265/hr	$298/hr	$337/hr

Rate Evaluator

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Market Overview

Emergency medicine is the highest-demand locum specialty nationally. Rural emergency departments face chronic staffing shortages, driving rates significantly above employed physician wages. Urban EDs compete for the same pool of board-certified emergency physicians, keeping rates elevated in metro markets as well.

Demand peaks in winter (flu season, trauma) and summer (outdoor injury season). Block scheduling in Q4 and Q1 commands premium rates at rural facilities.

One of the top 3 locum markets nationally — open positions in all 50 states year-round
Overnight and rural CAH shifts pay $25–75/hr above standard rate; holiday coverage up to $100/hr above
CMG consolidation fallout (Envision bankruptcy 2023, APP collapse 2023) has sustained structural demand
Short-notice gap coverage commands the highest premiums — pre-credentialed physicians capture this

Get the full Emergency Medicine negotiation toolkit — 50-state rate tables, word-for-word recruiter scripts, and contract red flag checklist.

Get the Toolkit — $99 →

Key Leverage Points

Urban Hospital

Overnight and weekend availability commands a 15–20% premium
Multi-shift block commitments (7+ days) attract higher base rates
Scribes and APP support are standard negotiating points — get it in writing
Ask about tail coverage inclusion before accepting any rate

Rural Critical Access

Critical access hospitals have limited negotiating leverage — most pay market or above
Travel and housing stipends are standard; negotiate these separately from hourly rate
Providers willing to cover call or hold admissions command significant premiums
Compact state license holders can negotiate a modest premium for reduced lead time

Contract Review Checklist

Items to review carefully before signing

Daily rate with no overtime — effectively caps your hourly below market for busy shifts
Non-compete clause in a locum contract — unusual and should be removed
Tail coverage not included — malpractice tail can cost $20–50K; confirm who pays
Call requirements beyond the shift — get exact call expectations in writing
Charting expectations — understand EMR system and average chart time before accepting

Emergency Medicine 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.