Pain Management Locum Tenens Rates
The national urban median for Pain Management locum work is $346/hr. The middle 50% of benchmarked rates spans $292–$408/hr.
Pain Management Locum Rate Benchmarks
Locum market rates, 2026.
P25
$292/hr
Median
$346/hr
P75
$408/hr
P90
$475/hr
Based on BLS OEWS public data and CMS geographic adjustments, processed through the LocumRates model.
Pain Management Rates by Region and Setting
| Region | Setting | P25 | Median | P75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Urban Hospital | $289/hr | $343/hr | $404/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $302/hr | $358/hr | $422/hr | |
| Midwest | Urban Hospital | $315/hr | $374/hr | $440/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $330/hr | $391/hr | $461/hr | |
| South | Urban Hospital | $304/hr | $361/hr | $425/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $318/hr | $378/hr | $445/hr | |
| Southeast | Urban Hospital | $317/hr | $376/hr | $443/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $332/hr | $393/hr | $463/hr | |
| West | Urban Hospital | $330/hr | $391/hr | $460/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $345/hr | $409/hr | $482/hr | |
| Southwest | Urban Hospital | $309/hr | $367/hr | $432/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $323/hr | $383/hr | $452/hr |
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Pain Management Locum Market Overview
Pain management locum demand is driven by practice vacancies, DEA registration requirements, and the procedural component of interventional pain. Interventional pain management commands higher rates than non-interventional. Opioid treatment program (OTP) coverage is a separate market segment.
- Interventional capability (ESI, RFA, spinal cord stimulation) is the primary rate differentiator
- Active DEA registration is required — confirm registration is current before accepting assignments
- Opioid treatment program (OTP) coverage is a separate, distinct market segment with different rate structures
- Rural practices with high procedure volume and no specialist coverage pay the highest rates
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What Affects Pain Management Locum Pay
Urban Hospital
- Fluoroscopy-guided procedures (ESI, RFA, SCS) command the highest pain management rates
- DEA registration and clean DEA history are essential and reduce onboarding friction
- Spinal cord stimulator experience opens device-company affiliated assignment opportunities
- Ketamine infusion or interventional headache experience adds niche high-rate assignment options
Rural Critical Access
- Rural pain management is in severe shortage — strong negotiating position
- C-arm availability at rural sites must be confirmed before accepting assignment
- Non-interventional pain (medication management only) commands lower rates but has more openings
- OTP coverage at rural addiction treatment centers is a separate high-need market
Pain Management Contract Terms to Review
Items to review carefully before signing
- DEA registration transfer timeline not defined — DEA registration at new location can take months
- Procedure volume minimums not specified — some contracts require minimum RVU generation
- Non-compete clause — highly unusual in locum pain management, should always be removed
- C-arm or fluoroscopy availability not guaranteed — required for most interventional procedures
Pain Management 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.
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