Radiology 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.

Radiology — National Benchmark

Locum market rates, 2026.

P25

$369/hr

Median

$426/hr

P75

$497/hr

P90

$563/hr

Regional Estimates

Radiology hourly rate benchmarks by region and setting
Region	Setting	P25	Median	P75
Northeast	Urban Hospital	$356/hr	$412/hr	$480/hr
Northeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$310/hr	$358/hr	$417/hr
Midwest	Urban Hospital	$345/hr	$398/hr	$464/hr
Midwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$300/hr	$346/hr	$404/hr
South	Urban Hospital	$343/hr	$396/hr	$461/hr
South	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$298/hr	$344/hr	$401/hr
Southeast	Urban Hospital	$357/hr	$413/hr	$481/hr
Southeast	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$311/hr	$359/hr	$418/hr
West	Urban Hospital	$374/hr	$432/hr	$504/hr
West	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$326/hr	$376/hr	$439/hr
Southwest	Urban Hospital	$350/hr	$404/hr	$471/hr
Southwest	Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH	$305/hr	$352/hr	$410/hr

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Market Overview

Radiology has a unique rate structure due to teleradiology — many locum radiologists provide remote overnight and weekend reads while maintaining a primary practice. On-site locum coverage commands a substantial premium over teleradiology-only rates. Subspecialty reading capability (neuroradiology, IR, pediatric radiology) significantly increases rate.

Teleradiology enables remote coverage — many radiologists cover multiple sites from one location
On-site presence commands 20–30% premium over teleradiology-only rates
Overnight reads are chronically underserved — strong negotiating position year-round
Neuroradiology and IR subspecialty each command 15–25% above general diagnostic rates

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Key Leverage Points

Urban Hospital

Subspecialty reads (neuroradiology, MSK, IR) command 15–25% above general diagnostic rates
Overnight teleradiology coverage is chronically underserved — strong negotiating position
On-site presence (vs. teleradiology) typically commands a 20–30% premium
Mammography accreditation/certification expands the pool of available assignments significantly

Rural Critical Access

Solo coverage capability (all modalities) is required at most critical access sites
Fluoroscopy and ultrasound performance capability (not just interpretation) expands options
Weekend and holiday on-call rate should be negotiated separately from weekday reads
Remote reads for rural sites can be done from home — negotiate for flexible scheduling

Contract Review Checklist

Items to review carefully before signing

RVU-based pay without a guaranteed minimum daily rate — protects against low-volume shifts
Turnaround time requirements not specified — sub-20 minute STAT reads can be exhausting at volume
Teleradiology contract with unlimited read volume — always negotiate a case-count cap
Credentialing at multiple sites required for one rate — each site should be compensated

Radiology 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.