Psychiatry Locum Compensation Benchmarks
Survey data by region and facility setting. Source: BLS OEWS, AMN Healthcare, CHG Healthcare. For informational purposes only.
How does your offer compare?
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 | $185 | $215 | $250 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $210 | $250 | $295 | BLS OEWS 2024 + CHG Healthcare 2025 Survey | |
| Midwest | Urban Hospital | $175 | $205 | $235 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $200 | $238 | $280 | BLS OEWS 2024 + CHG Healthcare 2025 Survey | |
| South | Urban Hospital | $170 | $198 | $228 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $195 | $230 | $270 | BLS OEWS 2024 + Weatherby Healthcare 2025 | |
| West | Urban Hospital | $195 | $228 | $265 | BLS OEWS 2024 + AMN Healthcare 2025 Survey |
| Rural Critical Access | $215 | $258 | $305 | BLS OEWS 2024 + CHG Healthcare 2025 Survey |
Market Overview
Psychiatry has the most severe locum shortage of any specialty, driven by a decades-long undersupply of psychiatrists relative to national mental health demand. Rural and critical access settings pay significantly above market to attract any coverage. Telepsychiatry has reshaped the market — many locum psychiatrists cover multiple sites remotely.
Key Leverage Points
Urban Hospital
- Inpatient and ED coverage capability commands a premium over outpatient-only psychiatrists
- Child and adolescent subspecialty training doubles the pool of available assignments
- Addiction medicine certification significantly increases your leverage at urban facilities
- Weekend and holiday coverage is undersubscribed — use this to negotiate a rate bump
Rural Critical Access
- Rural psychiatry is a sellers market — most facilities will meet your rate rather than go without
- Telepsychiatry hybrid arrangements (some remote, some onsite) can increase total weekly earnings
- Forensic or geriatric training opens niche high-rate assignment categories
- Travel, housing, and licensing fees are standard coverage — always confirm in writing
Contract Review Checklist
Items to review carefully before signing
- Patient panel size not specified — unlimited new intakes at an inpatient unit is unsustainable
- Telepsychiatry rate equal to in-person rate — remote coverage should carry a different rate structure
- No coverage for state licensing fees in non-compact states — this can cost $500–1,500 per state
- On-call obligation not defined — psychiatric emergencies after hours must have a rate
Psychiatry Negotiation Toolkit
Expanded benchmark tables, sample negotiation language, contract review checklist, and state-by-state take-home comparisons. One-time purchase.
View Toolkit →