Cardiology Locum Tenens Rates
The national urban median for Cardiology locum work is $322/hr. The middle 50% of benchmarked rates spans $266–$392/hr.
Cardiology Locum Rate Benchmarks
Locum market rates, 2026.
P25
$266/hr
Median
$322/hr
P75
$392/hr
P90
$472/hr
Based on BLS OEWS public data and CMS geographic adjustments, processed through the LocumRates model.
Cardiology Rates by Region and Setting
| Region | Setting | P25 | Median | P75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Urban Hospital | $253/hr | $307/hr | $373/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $220/hr | $267/hr | $325/hr | |
| Midwest | Urban Hospital | $274/hr | $333/hr | $405/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $239/hr | $289/hr | $352/hr | |
| South | Urban Hospital | $297/hr | $361/hr | $439/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $259/hr | $314/hr | $382/hr | |
| Southeast | Urban Hospital | $302/hr | $367/hr | $446/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $263/hr | $319/hr | $388/hr | |
| West | Urban Hospital | $249/hr | $302/hr | $368/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $217/hr | $263/hr | $320/hr | |
| Southwest | Urban Hospital | $254/hr | $308/hr | $375/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $221/hr | $268/hr | $326/hr |
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Cardiology Locum Market Overview
Cardiology locum rates vary significantly by subspecialty — interventional cardiology commands the highest rates of any medical subspecialty. General (non-interventional) cardiology covers inpatient consults, echocardiography, and clinic coverage. Rural critical access hospitals with cath labs are a separate, high-premium market.
- Interventional cardiology commands the highest rates of any medical subspecialty
- Cath lab coverage at rural critical access hospitals with structural heart programs pays premium rates
- Electrophysiology (ablations, device management) is a near-shortage separate market
- General cardiology inpatient consult coverage is the most common entry-level locum assignment
Get the full Cardiology toolkit — 50-state rate tables, exact recruiter
scripts, contract protection, credentialing, and a first-offer-to-final-shift playbook.
What Affects Cardiology Locum Pay
Urban Hospital
- Interventional cardiology (PCI, structural heart) commands 40–60% above general cards
- Electrophysiology capability (ablations, device management) is a separate high-rate market
- Echocardiography reading and performance capability expands available assignments
- Night and weekend STEMI call coverage is the single highest-leverage negotiating point
Rural Critical Access
- Any cardiology coverage is premium at rural hospitals — you have full negotiating leverage
- Cath lab capability at rural sites commands the highest cardiology locum premiums
- Cardiac rehab program medical director role can supplement coverage income
- Telemedicine cardiology consults have expanded rural coverage models significantly
Cardiology Contract Terms to Review
Items to review carefully before signing
- Interventional credentialing not confirmed before rate negotiation — verify cath lab privileges
- On-call STEMI coverage without a separate call rate — standard is significant differential
- Device management responsibility not specified — remote monitoring can add significant time
- Read volume for echocardiography not capped — technical reads can add hours to your day
Cardiology Negotiation Toolkit
Exact recruiter scripts, 50-state rate tables at P25/50/75/90, specialty leverage,
contract and malpractice protection, credentialing, and first-shift guidance.
$99 one-time.
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