Anesthesiology Locum Tenens Rates
The national urban median for Anesthesiology locum work is $355/hr. The middle 50% of benchmarked rates spans $299–$425/hr.
Anesthesiology Locum Rate Benchmarks
Locum market rates, 2026.
P25
$299/hr
Median
$355/hr
P75
$425/hr
P90
$497/hr
Based on BLS OEWS public data and CMS geographic adjustments, processed through the LocumRates model.
Anesthesiology Rates by Region and Setting
| Region | Setting | P25 | Median | P75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | Urban Hospital | $274/hr | $325/hr | $389/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $316/hr | $375/hr | $449/hr | |
| Midwest | Urban Hospital | $287/hr | $342/hr | $409/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $332/hr | $395/hr | $472/hr | |
| South | Urban Hospital | $298/hr | $354/hr | $423/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $344/hr | $408/hr | $489/hr | |
| Southeast | Urban Hospital | $294/hr | $350/hr | $418/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $340/hr | $404/hr | $483/hr | |
| West | Urban Hospital | $301/hr | $358/hr | $428/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $348/hr | $414/hr | $495/hr | |
| Southwest | Urban Hospital | $289/hr | $344/hr | $411/hr |
| Rural Critical Access Rural / CAH | $334/hr | $397/hr | $475/hr |
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Anesthesiology Locum Market Overview
Anesthesiology commands some of the highest locum rates of any specialty, driven by a persistent national shortage and the OR scheduling demands of surgical programs. Locum anesthesiologists fill coverage gaps during vacations, CRNA supervision requirements, and facility expansions. Regional variation is significant due to the California market effect.
- Highest median hourly rate of any locum specialty — national range $300–400/hr in 2025
- Shift-based OR work with predictable hours and minimal administrative burden
- CRNA scope expansion is real, while physician anesthesiologists remain essential for many complex, academic, and facility-specific coverage models
- OB anesthesia and cardiac subspecialty credentials each open a separate premium assignment pool
Get the full Anesthesiology toolkit — 50-state rate tables, exact recruiter
scripts, contract protection, credentialing, and a first-offer-to-final-shift playbook.
What Affects Anesthesiology Locum Pay
Urban Hospital
- Cardiac and thoracic subspecialty training commands a 20–30% premium over general anesthesia
- OB anesthesia availability (24/7 epidural coverage) is a high-value negotiating asset
- Pediatric anesthesia experience significantly expands your available assignments
- Medical direction vs. supervision model changes workload, documentation, and liability — price the CRNA ratio and case mix
Rural Critical Access
- Solo anesthesia coverage at critical access hospitals commands the highest rural premiums
- Obstetric coverage capability is critical for rural hospital survival — leverage it
- Travel and housing should be included; negotiate a rental car or mileage reimbursement
- Willingness to do pain management alongside OR coverage expands your negotiating position
Anesthesiology Contract Terms to Review
Items to review carefully before signing
- CRNA supervision ratio not specified — unlimited supervision obligation is unsustainable
- Call commitments after hours without a separate call rate — standard is 1.5x
- Malpractice tail not included — anesthesia tail coverage is expensive; confirm who pays
- OR start times not specified — arriving to an 07:00 first case at 06:30 is not the same as 08:00
Anesthesiology 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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