Physician Salary & Compensation Guide
Whether you're exploring locum tenens or permanent roles, understanding what drives physician pay helps you make informed, strategic career decisions.
Locum Tenens vs. Permanent Pay
Locum tenens physicians:
- Offer competitive hourly or daily rates, particularly in high-demand specialties, hard-to-fill locations, or urgent coverage situations.
- Gain flexibility and control over schedules
Permanent roles:
- Offer stability and long-term benefits
How to Maximize Your Physician Earnings
- Explore locum tenens opportunities
- Choose high-demand specialties
- Consider geographic flexibility
- Optimize contract negotiations
Starting Physician Salaries
Compensation Trends for Medical Practitioners
For the past 25 years, AMN Healthcare has published the Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives, a report that tracks starting salaries and recruitment incentives offered to physicians and advanced practitioners. Unlike traditional compensation surveys, it focuses on initial offers rather than total annual pay and provides key insights into specialty-specific trends, physician supply, revenue generation, and other critical data to help you stay informed about the evolving healthcare workforce.
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Physician Compensation FAQs
What factors influence physician pay?
Compensation is based on your specialty, experience, and assignment location. Rates may differ for permanent, locum tenens, or travel-based positions.
Are benefits included in physician compensation?
Yes. Packages may include health, dental, vision, retirement, malpractice coverage, and CME allowances, depending on the assignment.
Can I negotiate my compensation?
Yes. AMN Healthcare works with you and the facility to ensure a competitive pay package based on your experience and specialty.
Does AMN Healthcare provide travel and housing support?
Yes. For locum tenens and travel positions, AMN Healthcare offers travel and housing assistance or stipends.
How often are physicians paid?
Payment schedules vary by assignment type; locum tenens roles are often paid weekly, while permanent positions follow the facility’s payroll schedule.
Physician Compensation Blogs
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Cardiology Career Trends and Job Insights for 2026
Explore the top cardiology career trends for 2026. Learn about structural heart programs, EP demand, and what employers look for in top candidates.
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Anesthesiologist Salary Outlook for 2026: Trends and Insights
This guide breaks down the anesthesiologist salary outlook for the coming year, exploring the data behind the paycheck and the factors that could influence your earning potential.
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Trauma Surgery Job Outlook 2026: Demand, Call Models & Career Flexibility
Analyze the 2026 trauma surgery job market, including facility demand, evolving call models, career flexibility, and recruitment priorities for physicians.