Are you feeling the tug of independence — the desire to work on your terms, earn competitive pay, and explore the great US of A?
As a locum tenens, you can do exactly that.
The team at Trusted Locum Staffing compiled this comprehensive list of the top 14 best paying states for locum tenens professionals to jump-start your travel career and give you the edge on finding the position of your dreams.
Table of Contents
- Why Consider Locum Tenens Positions?
- The 14 States With the Best Pay for Locum Tenens
- Considering Locum Tenens? Experience a Better Route With Trusted Locum Staffing
Why Consider Locum Tenens Positions?
If you’re seeking a change in career or lifestyle or want to supplement your income, locum tenens is a compelling option.
Benefits of locum tenens include great perks like:
- Flexibility and control when it comes to your schedule, location, and workload
- Career growth and skill enhancement with opportunities for diverse experiences, networking, and resume-building
- Reduced burnout and improved work-life balance with freedom from work politics and a lighter administrative burden
- Opportunities to travel and explore new places
- Supplementing your income, which is especially great if you’re seeking additional income, paying off loans, or are in semi-retirement
- The ability to give back by playing a crucial role in addressing healthcare shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas
- Getting to ‘try before you buy’ and exploring different specialties and settings before committing to a long-term role
- Higher earning potential with competitive pay rates and higher pay than permanent positions
The 14 States With the Best Pay for Locum Tenens
If you’re ready to hit the road as a locum tenens provider, it stands to reason that you want the top pay. The expert team at Trusted Locum Staffing can not only find you the highest-paying position, but they’ll also make the process fast and simple so you can focus on providing top-notch care.
Check out the top 14 best-paying states for locum tenens.
#1: Massachusetts
With its perfect balance of historical destinations and picturesque Cape Cod beaches, The Bay State is a great choice for locum tenens positions. Spend your time off walking the Freedom Trail or unwinding on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.
U.S. News and World Report places MA at 2nd for healthcare access and 1st for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in MA is $248,458.
#2: Alaska
Home to some of the most stunning geography in the nation, Alaska boasts 17 of the country’s 20 highest peaks. With its abundant wildlife, ever-changing glaciers, and Northern Lights, the state earned the nickname The Last Frontier and contains more untouched land than anywhere else in the U.S.
U.S. News and World Report places AK at 35th for healthcare access and 39th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in AK is $248,686.
#3: Washington
Washington is known as The Evergreen State for good reason. An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, the state boasts mountains, deserts, rainforests, and a breathtaking Pacific coastline. If exploring the great outdoors isn’t your thinking, your time off will free you up to take in the Space Needle and the Museum of Pop Culture.
U.S. News and World Report places WA at 11th for healthcare access and 11th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in Washington State is $246,174.
#4: Connecticut
With the perfect mix of coastal cities and quaint small towns, Connecticut is hard to beat. The village of Mystic is famous for beluga whale exhibits at Mystic Aquarium and the Seaport Museum that’s filled to the brim with centuries-old ships. The Constitution state is also home to Yale University and its acclaimed Peabody Museum of Natural History.
U.S. News and World Report places CT at 3rd for healthcare access and 6th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in CT is $245,261.
#5: New York
From Ellis Island to the Adirondack Mountains, there’s much to do in New York State. Spend time in New York City exploring the Statue of Liberty or world-class museums like the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love indulging in the city’s diverse culinary scene, and shopping enthusiasts will find Fifth Avenue a dream. New York City is also home to Mount Sinai Hospital, ranked the 8th best hospital in 2024.
U.S. News and World Report places NY at 13th for healthcare access and 5th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in New York is $243,434.
#6: Hawaii
What’s not to love about a locum tenens job in the Aloha State? With pristine beaches, lush jungles, active volcanoes, and amazing food, the islands’ daytime temperatures average 85℉ in the summer and 78℉ in the winter. Hawaii is truly paradise on earth.
U.S. News and World Report places HI at 1st for healthcare access and 3rd for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in HI is $238,638.
#7: Rhode Island
Small but mighty, the Ocean State is renowned for its seaside Colonial towns and sandy shores. Home to several large cities, you’ll find lavish Gilded Age mansions, beautiful parks, and sandy beaches.
U.S. News and World Report places RI at 4th for healthcare access and 7th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in RI is $238,410.
#8: Maryland
If you’re interested in adding experience in a top-ranking hospital to your resume, consider taking a locum tenens position at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, cited as the 3rd best hospital in the U.S. While you’re in Maryland, indulge your taste buds with fresh seafood, including Maryland blue crab.
The U.S. News and World Report places MD at 7th for healthcare access and 8th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in MD is $235,441.
#9: New Hampshire
One of the U.S.’s smallest states, the Granite State is big on valleys, rivers, lakes, and mountains. If you decide a stint in New Hampshire is part of your locum tenens journey, be sure to explore the White Mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee and visit historic sites like the Strawbery Banke Museum and the port city of Portsmouth.
U.S. News and World Report places NH at 6th for healthcare access and 14th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in NH is $232,244.
#10: Oregon
Wine lovers will likely find Oregon’s 1,116 wineries reason enough to pursue a locum tenens position in the Beaver State.
Oregon boasts a diverse landscape — from snow-capped mountains to a dramatic coastline to lush forests — making it the perfect choice for exploration and outdoor adventure.
U.S. News and World Report places OR at 28th for healthcare access and 21st for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in OR is $232,016.
#11: Nevada
Home to Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire State Park, and a multitude of casinos, there’s always something to do in the Silver State.
Visit Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World, or its northwestern neighbor, Reno, which lies a mere hour from Lake Tahoe. If you love the great outdoors, you can spend the day kayaking or skiing at a world-class resort.
U.S. News and World Report places NV at 50th for healthcare access and 30th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in NV is $229,275.
#12: Vermont
The Green Mountain State is home to rolling hills dotted with quaint villages. The sweet state of Vermont is known for its “Grade A” maple syrup and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, which was founded in the northern city of Burlington. Bed and breakfasts abound and are the perfect way to take in the scenery while enjoying the nostalgia of vintage homes.
U.S. News and World Report places VT at 5th for healthcare access and 10th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in VT is $224,0232.
#13: Idaho
An abundance of deep valleys, snowy mountains, lakes, and rivers cover the Gem State of Idaho. While you’re on assignment in this great state, be sure to spend time visiting Yellowstone National Park, the Idaho Potato Museum (complete with lunch at the Potato Station Café), and the breathtaking Shoshone Falls.
U.S. News and World Report places ID at 20th for healthcare access and 25th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in ID is $213,062.
#14: Tennessee
If exploring the Great Smoky Mountains or touring Elvis’s Graceland appeal to you, consider a position in Tennessee. Known as “The Volunteer State,” Tennessee is experiencing a huge boom in population growth and was ranked eighth among states by percent of growth in 2023. All this growth, of course, means an increased demand for physicians.
U.S. News and World Report places TN at 35th for healthcare access and 47th for public health outcomes.
The average annual pay for locum tenens providers in TN is $211,463.
Considering Locum Tenens? Experience a Better Route With Trusted Locum Staffing
What sets Trusted Locum Staffing above the multitude of other staffing agencies out there? We’re glad you asked!
We’re 100% committed to our employees — and we prove it by offering the top benefits in the industry.
Besides having your own dedicated support and advocacy team, when you choose to travel with Trusted Locum Staffing, you’ll enjoy:
- Competitive compensation:
- 401(k) with a 4% match after 1,000 hours and one year of employment
- Weekly paychecks with direct deposit option
- Overtime/double-time options
- Customizable pay packages
- Bonus opportunities
- $1500 Referral Bonus Program
- Welcome box
- Loyalty and discount programs
- Wellness benefits
- Employer-sponsored health insurance and Guardian dental and vision insurance
- HRA to fully cover deductibles
- Insurance benefits
- Portable permanent whole life insurance
- License, certification, & CEU reimbursements
- Portable short-term/long-term
- Disability insurance
- Work flexibility
- Flexible contract options including full-time, part-time, and per diem
- Housing, meal, and travel stipends
- Rental car options
Are you convinced it’s time to begin your locum tenens adventure? Let the team at Trusted Locum Staffing help you land a position in one of the best paying states for locum tenens providers today!
