Locum Physician Compensation in Illinois
Survey benchmarks by specialty and facility setting. Compact state — multi-state license eligible.
Illinois — Benchmark Rates by Specialty
Median hourly rates in $/hr. Region: Midwest.
| Specialty | Urban Hospital — MedianUrban Median | Rural / Critical Access — MedianRural Median |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $342/hr | $395/hr |
| Cardiology | $333/hr | $289/hr |
| Dermatology | $345/hr | $300/hr |
| Emergency Medicine | $274/hr | $297/hr |
| Family Medicine | $143/hr | $165/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $382/hr | $400/hr |
| General Surgery | $399/hr | $347/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $401/hr | $420/hr |
| Hospitalist | $192/hr | $222/hr |
| Internal Medicine | $155/hr | $175/hr |
| Neonatology | $216/hr | $258/hr |
| Neurology | $301/hr | $332/hr |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | $279/hr | $315/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $457/hr | $398/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $331/hr | $346/hr |
| Pain Management | $374/hr | $391/hr |
| Pathology | $378/hr | $329/hr |
| Pediatrics | $155/hr | $171/hr |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $201/hr | $210/hr |
| Psychiatry | $227/hr | $280/hr |
| Radiology | $398/hr | $346/hr |
| Urology | $374/hr | $391/hr |
Highest-Paying Specialties in Illinois
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Hematology-Oncology | $424/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $423/hr |
| Urology | $401/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $390/hr |
| Cardiology | $386/hr |
Illinois Market Overview
State income tax: 4.95% top marginal rate.
Illinois has one of the most polarized physician markets in the country. Chicago is home to Northwestern Medicine, University of Chicago Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and Advocate Aurora, representing a dense concentration of top-tier health systems. Downstate Illinois, however — particularly rural southern and central counties — faces some of the most severe physician shortages in the Midwest. Locum rates vary substantially between the Chicago metro and rural downstate assignments, with meaningful rural shortage premiums.
Licensing: Illinois participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A compact license held in another state can be used in Illinois without a separate IL license application.