California Locum Tenens Rates by Specialty
California locum rates vary by specialty and setting. Hematology-Oncology currently has the highest listed urban median at $451/hr. The listed top marginal state income tax rate is 13.3%.
California Locum Rates by Specialty
Median hourly rates in $/hr. Region: West.
| Specialty | Urban Hospital — MedianUrban Median | Rural / Critical Access — MedianRural Median |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | $358/hr | $414/hr |
| Cardiology | $302/hr | $263/hr |
| Dermatology | $364/hr | $317/hr |
| Emergency Medicine | $258/hr | $280/hr |
| Family Medicine | $149/hr | $172/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $380/hr | $397/hr |
| General Surgery | $322/hr | $280/hr |
| Hematology-Oncology | $398/hr | $416/hr |
| Hospitalist | $194/hr | $224/hr |
| Internal Medicine | $153/hr | $172/hr |
| Neonatology | $226/hr | $269/hr |
| Neurology | $295/hr | $325/hr |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology | $290/hr | $327/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $421/hr | $366/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $351/hr | $367/hr |
| Pain Management | $391/hr | $409/hr |
| Pathology | $352/hr | $307/hr |
| Pediatrics | $152/hr | $168/hr |
| Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | $210/hr | $219/hr |
| Psychiatry | $201/hr | $248/hr |
| Radiology | $432/hr | $376/hr |
| Urology | $351/hr | $368/hr |
Highest-Paying Specialties in California
Urban median hourly rate
| Specialty | Urban Median |
|---|---|
| Hematology-Oncology | $451/hr |
| Radiology | $445/hr |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | $411/hr |
| Orthopedic Surgery | $408/hr |
| Gastroenterology | $403/hr |
California Tax, Licensing, and Market Notes
State income tax: 13.3% top marginal rate. California is among the highest state tax states nationally. Factor this into net rate comparisons with no-tax states (TX, FL, WA, WY, NV, SD, AK, TN, NH).
California is the largest physician market in the US, with the highest baseline locum rates driven by cost of living, demand density, and the urban concentration of major health systems. California has not enacted IMLC legislation — a separate California medical license is required for locum work. The Bay Area and Los Angeles metro areas command the highest rates in the West.
Licensing: California does not participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). A separate California medical license is required. California has not enacted IMLC legislation and maintains independent licensing requirements through the Medical Board of California.