Pain Management Locum Compensation Benchmarks
Survey data by region and facility setting. Source: BLS OEWS, AMN Healthcare, CHG Healthcare. For informational purposes only.
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Enter your rate to see where it falls against these benchmarks.
Compare to Market Data →Regional Benchmark Data
P25 / Median / P75 hourly rates in $/hr
| Region | Setting | P25 | Median | P75 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Urban Hospital | $225 | $268 | $315 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $245 | $292 | $345 | BLS OEWS 2024 + CHG Healthcare 2025 Survey | |
| Midwest | Urban Hospital | $208 | $248 | $292 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $228 | $272 | $320 | BLS OEWS 2024 + CHG Healthcare 2025 Survey | |
| South | Urban Hospital | $198 | $238 | $278 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $218 | $258 | $305 | BLS OEWS 2024 + Weatherby Healthcare 2025 | |
| West | Urban Hospital | $235 | $280 | $330 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $255 | $305 | $358 | BLS OEWS 2024 + CHG Healthcare 2025 Survey |
Market Overview
Pain management locum demand is driven by practice vacancies, DEA registration requirements, and the procedural component of interventional pain. Interventional pain management commands higher rates than non-interventional. Opioid treatment program (OTP) coverage is a separate market segment.
Key Leverage Points
Urban Hospital
- Fluoroscopy-guided procedures (ESI, RFA, SCS) command the highest pain management rates
- DEA registration and clean DEA history are essential and reduce onboarding friction
- Spinal cord stimulator experience opens device-company affiliated assignment opportunities
- Ketamine infusion or interventional headache experience adds niche high-rate assignment options
Rural Critical Access
- Rural pain management is in severe shortage — strong negotiating position
- C-arm availability at rural sites must be confirmed before accepting assignment
- Non-interventional pain (medication management only) commands lower rates but has more openings
- OTP coverage at rural addiction treatment centers is a separate high-need market
Contract Review Checklist
Items to review carefully before signing
- DEA registration transfer timeline not defined — DEA registration at new location can take months
- Procedure volume minimums not specified — some contracts require minimum RVU generation
- Non-compete clause — highly unusual in locum pain management, should always be removed
- C-arm or fluoroscopy availability not guaranteed — required for most interventional procedures
Pain Management Negotiation Toolkit
Expanded benchmark tables, sample negotiation language, contract review checklist, and state-by-state take-home comparisons. One-time purchase.
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