Orthopedic Surgery 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.

Orthopedic Surgery — National Benchmark

Locum market rates, 2026.

P25

$389/hr

Median

$440/hr

P75

$501/hr

P90

$560/hr

Regional Estimates

Orthopedic Surgery hourly rate benchmarks by region and setting
Region	Setting	P25	Median	P75
Northeast	Urban Hospital	$383/hr	$433/hr	$494/hr
Northeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$333/hr	$377/hr	$430/hr
Midwest	Urban Hospital	$404/hr	$457/hr	$521/hr
Midwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$351/hr	$398/hr	$453/hr
South	Urban Hospital	$440/hr	$498/hr	$568/hr
South	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$383/hr	$433/hr	$494/hr
Southeast	Urban Hospital	$396/hr	$448/hr	$510/hr
Southeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$344/hr	$389/hr	$444/hr
West	Urban Hospital	$372/hr	$421/hr	$480/hr
West	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$324/hr	$366/hr	$417/hr
Southwest	Urban Hospital	$450/hr	$510/hr	$581/hr
Southwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$392/hr	$443/hr	$505/hr

Rate Evaluator

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Market Overview

Orthopedic Surgery is a high-demand locum specialty with active markets across urban hospital systems and rural critical access facilities. Rates reflect regional variation in physician supply, cost of living, and facility type. Rural settings consistently command a premium due to persistent staffing shortages.

Highest-rate surgical locum specialty — subspecialty skills command significant premiums
Sports medicine and arthroscopy is the highest-volume urban assignment type
Spine surgery locum coverage is a constrained market with premium rates and limited competition
Rural CAH orthopedic coverage includes fracture care, urgent consults, and basic arthroscopy

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Key Leverage Points

Urban Hospital

Block scheduling (7+ consecutive days) typically yields a higher daily rate than per-diem
Subspecialty training or procedural skills beyond the base requirement command a premium
Overnight and weekend availability is undersubscribed — use this to negotiate higher rates
Existing hospital credentialing that transfers reduces facility onboarding cost — leverage it

Rural Critical Access

Rural facilities operate in a sellers market for Orthopedic Surgery coverage — most will meet your rate
Travel, housing, and malpractice tail are standard inclusions — always confirm in writing
Solo coverage capability is required and commands a significant premium
Long-term relationships with rural facilities (6+ months) can yield rate escalators

Contract Review Checklist

Items to review carefully before signing

OR block time not guaranteed — confirm minimum cases or block hours per week in writing
Trauma call rate not separated from base hourly — 24-hour trauma call is a distinct line item
Implant and hardware cost pass-through not addressed — clarify who bears implant costs and whether this affects case selection
Scope of surgical coverage undefined — confirm whether you cover hand, spine, pediatric ortho, or only general ortho/trauma
Malpractice tail not included — confirm who pays, policy limits, and whether tail covers surgical complications
Equipment availability not confirmed — verify arthroscopic and robotic equipment availability before committing

Orthopedic Surgery 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.