Don’t settle for a low-paying locum tenens job. Here’s the secret to finding the best-paying locum tenens opportunities and maximizing your earning potential!

<p>There are two groups of people who know the secret to finding high-paying locum jobs: recruiters and long-time locums. But if you’re newer to the locum tenens lifestyle or are considering embarking on a locums journey for the first time, you can be in the know too! We’re here to spill the beans. Save yourself the hours and hours of searching and turning up only lower-paying jobs and follow these tips to maximize your earnings in a rewarding role as a locum tenens provider.</p>
<h2>Tips for Finding Locum Tenens Jobs with the Highest Pay</h2>
<ol style="margin-left:20px">
        <li>
           <strong> Say yes to remote regions.</strong> Are you willing to travel to care for patients in distant or isolated areas? You are likely to find higher earning opportunities in extremely remote regions such as:
            <ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
                <li>The rural and bush communities of Alaska</li>
                <li>The Aleutian Islands</li>
                <li>The vast forests of Aroostook County, Maine</li>
                <li>The Great Basin Desert region of Nevada</li>
                <li>The plains of Eastern Montana</li>
                <li>The Navajo Nation and Four Corners region of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico</li>
                <li>The Big Bend region of Southwest Texas</li>
                <li>The Northern Plains of North and South Dakota</li>
                <li>The mountains of Western and Central Wyoming</li>
                <li>The Klamath Mountains in Southern Oregon and Northern California</li>
                <li>The outer islands of Hawaii</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li>
          <strong>  Take assignments in rural locations.</strong> Caring for economically disadvantaged patient populations in rural regions can often bring opportunities to earn more as a locum. Patients here may have higher rates of chronic conditions, and you may experience limited resources and underfunded healthcare facilities. Many of these locations are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HSPAs) and may include:
            <ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
                <li>The Mississippi Delta, which includes parts of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana</li>
                <li>Central Appalachia, particularly parts of eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Ohio.</li>
                <li>Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota</li>
                <li>The coal mining regions of Eastern Kentucky</li>
                <li>The Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah</li>
                <li>The farm communities of Central Valley in California</li>
                <li>The Ozarks region of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li>
          <strong>  Specialize.</strong> Physicians who are specialized, particularly in high-demand, hard-to-fill specialties, can earn more as locum tenens. Consider also that advanced practitioners who are certified or have experience in high-demand specialties may earn more as well. Some of the most in-demand specialties include:
            <ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
                <li>Anesthesiology</li>
                <li>Cardiology</li>
                <li>Dermatology</li>
                <li>Emergency medicine</li>
                <li>Gastroenterology</li>
                <li>General surgery</li>
                <li>OB-GYN</li>
                <li>Orthopedic Surgery</li>
                <li>Psychiatry</li>
                <li>Radiology</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li>
           <strong> Provide critical help during crises.</strong> Being willing and able to rapidly mobilize during a crisis will increase your earning power (and don’t forget the feel-good factor of simply being there for others!). Keep an eye out for opportunities to help healthcare facilities during crises due to:
            <ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
                <li>Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes</li>
                <li>Pandemics and outbreaks of COVID-19, flu, Ebola, etc.</li>
                <li>Crises like mass shootings, military deployments during conflict, refugee influx, or civil unrest</li>
                <li>Shortages due to retirements, staff illness, etc.</li>
                <li>Seasonal surges due to flu season, tourist season, or winter/summer volume fluctuations</li>
                <li>Strikes or labor disputes</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
        <li>
           <strong> Be flexible with your time.</strong> Healthcare facilities need locum tenens providers who will work odd hours and meet their unique scheduling demands. You may be able to bring home more if you’re willing to work:
            <ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
                <li>The night shift</li>
                <li>On weekends</li>
                <li>On holidays</li>
                <li>On short notice</li>
                <li>On call</li>
                <li>For extended shifts</li>
                <li>For longer assignment lengths (months versus weeks or days)</li>
            </ul>
        </li>
    </ol>








  <h2>Even More Ways to Increase Your Earnings as a Locum Tenens</h2>
  <p>In addition to being willing to take on <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/locum-faqs-why-does-locum-tenens-pay-more" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">locum tenens opportunities</a> like the ones covered above, if you want to boost your income, you can:</p>
  <ul>
    <li><strong>Negotiate your compensation: </strong>Don’t be afraid to ask for higher pay. Know the market rates for your role. Highlight what you bring to the position, including your experience level and specialized skills.</li>
    <li><strong>Look for optimal perks and benefits: </strong>Housing and travel reimbursements or coverage can boost your bottom line. Some assignments offer signing or completion bonuses, and others offer referral bonuses. Plus, some agencies provide malpractice insurance coverage, another benefit to you. You can also find perks like professional development opportunities and stipends to cover CMEs to enhance your skills and resumes.</li>
    <li><strong>Take advantage of tax advantages: </strong>Most locum tenens providers are considered self-employed <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/independent-contractor-defined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">independent contractors</a>. This entitles them to deductions for items like home office, medical equipment, self-employment tax deduction, health insurance premiums, dues and membership fees, legal and accounting fees, and more. Consult a tax professional to learn more.</li>
    <li><strong>Work with a recruiter: </strong>Establishing a relationship with a locum tenens staffing company and a <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/navigating-your-locums-journey-how-to-connect-with-a-locum-tenens-recruiter?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recruiter</a> can open doors for you! Skilled, experienced recruiters have access to locum tenens jobs that aren’t publicly advertised. They know what jobs offer the best pay. They can negotiate on your behalf and often can get you extra perks. Recruiters have insights into market trends, knowledge of areas that earn the most, and access to repeat assignments. They can help you find assignments that fit your lifestyle and schedule so you can take time off between assignments and work in high-paying short-terms that maximize your earning potential!</li>
  </ul>
  <h3>Ready to get started in a high-paying locum tenens position?</h3>
  <p>Browse our <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/locums" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">locum tenens jobs</a> and connect with a recruiter today.</p>
</ol>


The Secret to Finding High-Paying Locum Tenens Jobs