Pathology Locum Tenens Rates
The national urban median for Pathology locum work is $357/hr. The middle 50% of benchmarked rates spans $302–$423/hr.
Pathology Locum Rate Benchmarks
Locum market rates, 2026.
P25
$302/hr
Median
$357/hr
P75
$423/hr
P90
$488/hr
Based on BLS OEWS public data and CMS geographic adjustments, processed through the LocumRates model.
Pathology Rates by Region and Setting
| Region | Setting | P25 | Median | P75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Urban Hospital | $307/hr | $363/hr | $429/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $267/hr | $316/hr | $374/hr | |
| Midwest | Urban Hospital | $320/hr | $378/hr | $448/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $279/hr | $329/hr | $390/hr | |
| South | Urban Hospital | $314/hr | $371/hr | $439/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $273/hr | $323/hr | $382/hr | |
| Southeast | Urban Hospital | $301/hr | $355/hr | $420/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $262/hr | $309/hr | $366/hr | |
| West | Urban Hospital | $298/hr | $352/hr | $417/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $259/hr | $307/hr | $363/hr | |
| Southwest | Urban Hospital | $320/hr | $378/hr | $448/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $279/hr | $329/hr | $390/hr |
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Pathology Locum Market Overview
Pathology locum work is increasingly telepathology-compatible — digital slide scanning has enabled remote sign-out for most surgical pathology. On-site locum pathologists cover frozen sections, ROSE (rapid on-site evaluation), and autopsy. Rural hospitals without in-house pathologists are a strong locum market.
- Digital pathology enables remote sign-out at equipped, validated sites — location flexibility is a major advantage
- Subspecialty expertise (GI, GYN, hematopathology) commands 20–30% above general path rates
- ROSE (rapid on-site evaluation) capability opens IR partnership assignments at academic centers
- On-site frozen section coverage commands the highest locum pathology premiums at surgical hospitals
Get the full Pathology toolkit — 50-state rate tables, exact recruiter
scripts, contract protection, credentialing, and a first-offer-to-final-shift playbook.
What Affects Pathology Locum Pay
Urban Hospital
- Subspecialty sign-out (GI, GYN, hematopathology) commands a 20–30% premium
- Molecular pathology and next-generation sequencing experience opens academic center assignments
- Frozen section speed and accuracy is a key performance metric — highlight your track record
- ROSE capability (rapid on-site evaluation) for interventional radiology expands your options
Rural Critical Access
- Any pathology coverage is premium at rural hospitals — you have full negotiating leverage
- Autopsy willingness significantly increases your attractiveness to rural facilities
- Laboratory medical director role often accompanies pathology coverage — negotiate both
- Digital pathology capability enables hybrid remote/on-site arrangements
Pathology Contract Terms to Review
Items to review carefully before signing
- Case volume not capped — high-volume community hospitals can generate unsustainable workloads
- Laboratory medical director duties embedded at pathology rate — these are separate responsibilities
- Autopsy obligation not specified — clarify whether autopsies are included and at what frequency
- Digital slide scanning not available — confirm telepathology infrastructure before accepting remote
Pathology 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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