Locum Physician Compensation in Kentucky
Survey benchmarks by specialty and facility setting. Compact state — multi-state license eligible.
Kentucky — 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 Kentucky
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $477/hr |
| Dermatology | $448/hr |
| Pain Management | $404/hr |
| Radiology | $396/hr |
| Pathology | $386/hr |
Kentucky Market Overview
State income tax: 4% top marginal rate.
Kentucky has a stark geographic divide in its physician market. Louisville anchors a robust urban market with Norton Healthcare, Baptist Health, and UofL Health, while eastern Kentucky's Appalachian coalfield counties are among the most medically underserved in the nation. Lexington's University of Kentucky HealthCare serves as the primary academic referral center for the region. Rural eastern and south-central Kentucky generate significant locum demand for primary care, emergency medicine, and psychiatry, often with substantial shortage premiums.
Licensing: Kentucky participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A compact license held in another state can be used in Kentucky without a separate KY license application.