Locum Physician Compensation in Missouri
Survey benchmarks by specialty and facility setting. Compact state — multi-state license eligible.
Missouri — 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 Missouri
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Orthopedic Surgery | $493/hr |
| Pain Management | $402/hr |
| Radiology | $395/hr |
| Urology | $352/hr |
| Dermatology | $351/hr |
Missouri Market Overview
State income tax: 4.7% top marginal rate.
Missouri has two strong urban medical markets — St. Louis, anchored by Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Saint Louis University, and Kansas City, anchored by the University of Missouri–Kansas City and Saint Luke's Health System. Between them, the Ozarks plateau and the southeastern Bootheel are among the most medically underserved rural regions in the Midwest. Missouri's central location makes it a common locum destination for multi-state travelers, and compact participation facilitates physician mobility. Rates are moderate with meaningful rural premiums.
Licensing: Missouri participates in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A compact license held in another state can be used in Missouri without a separate MO license application.