Explore the differences between locum tenens and permanent physician positions to determine which career path best aligns with your professional goals and lifestyle.
Today’s physicians have more career options than ever before. While many providers pursue traditional permanent positions, others are discovering the flexibility and freedom that come with locum tenens work. Both paths offer unique advantages, and the right choice often depends on your personal priorities, career stage, and long-term goals.
Whether you’re finishing residency, considering a career change, or looking for greater work-life balance, understanding the differences between locum tenens and permanent physician jobs can help you make an informed decision.
What is a Locum Tenens Position?
Locum tenens, Latin for “to hold the place,” refers to physicians who work temporary assignments at healthcare facilities in need of coverage.
Assignments can range from a few days to several months and may be used to fill staffing gaps, support seasonal demand, or provide coverage during recruitment efforts. If you’re new to the concept, check out our guide, What Is Locum Tenens? A Practical Guide for Physicians and Healthcare Organizations, for a deeper overview of how locums works for both providers and healthcare organizations.
Many physicians choose locum tenens because it offers:
- Flexible scheduling
- Opportunities to work in different locations
- Exposure to a variety of practice settings
- Supplemental income opportunities
- Reduced administrative responsibilities
Locum tenens physicians often work with a staffing agency that handles credentialing, travel arrangements, and other logistics, allowing providers to focus primarily on patient care.
What is a Permanent Physician Position?
A permanent physician position is a long-term employment arrangement with a healthcare organization, private practice, medical group, or hospital system.
Permanent roles typically include:
- A consistent patient population
- Long-term career development opportunities
- Employer-sponsored benefits
- Predictable compensation structures
- Leadership and advancement opportunities
Many physicians value the stability and continuity that permanent positions provide, particularly when building a long-term career in a specific community.
Locum Tenens vs Permanent Physician Jobs
Both career paths offer meaningful advantages. The best option depends on your preferred schedule, compensation priorities, professional goals, and desired level of flexibility.
Locum Tenens Positions
- Temporary assignments ranging from several days to several months
- Greater control over when and where you work
- Opportunities to work in different locations and practice settings
- Competitive hourly or daily compensation
- Travel and lodging may be included with an assignment
- Opportunities to earn supplemental income
- Reduced administrative responsibilities in many settings
Permanent Physician Positions
- Long-term employment with a healthcare organization
- A consistent workflow and patient population
- Employer-sponsored benefits may be included
- Predictable compensation structures
- Leadership and advancement opportunities
- Long-term professional relationships
- Greater continuity within a healthcare team and community
Bottom line: Locum tenens may be a stronger fit for physicians who prioritize flexibility and variety, while permanent employment may appeal to physicians seeking stability, benefits, and long-term organizational growth.
Comparing Compensation
Compensation is often one of the first factors physicians consider when evaluating career options.
Locum Tenens Compensation
- Competitive hourly or daily rates
- Opportunities for supplemental income
- Paid travel and lodging on many assignments
- Flexibility to accept additional work when desired
Permanent Position Compensation
- Base salary
- Productivity incentives
- Health insurance
- Retirement contributions
- Paid time off
- Continuing medical education benefits
Bottom line: Physicians should compare the entire compensation package rather than evaluating salary or hourly rates alone.
While compensation structures differ, the overall value of a position often extends beyond salary alone.
Schedule and Flexibility
One advantage many physicians appreciate is the ability to work in multiple states and practice settings. For physicians interested in expanding their opportunities across state lines, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) may help streamline the process of obtaining licenses in participating states.
Locum Tenens
Physicians working locum tenens assignments often have greater control over their schedules.
Benefits may include:
- Choosing when to work
- Selecting preferred assignment lengths
- Taking extended time off between contracts
- Exploring opportunities in different regions
This flexibility can be especially appealing to physicians seeking greater work-life balance.
Permanent Employment
Permanent positions often provide a more predictable schedule.
Advantages may include:
- Consistent workflow
- Established routines
- Long-term patient relationships
- Integration within a healthcare team
For physicians who prefer stability and routine, permanent employment may be the better fit.
Work-Life Balance Considerations
Burnout continues to be a significant concern within healthcare, leading many physicians to evaluate how their work arrangement affects their quality of life.
Locum tenens positions can provide:
- Greater autonomy
- More control over workload
- Opportunities to reduce administrative responsibilities
- Easier transition periods between career stages
Permanent positions can offer:
- Stronger connections within a healthcare organization
- Long-term professional relationships
- Greater continuity of care
- Structured career growth opportunities
The ideal balance will vary from physician to physician.
Who is a Good Fit for Locum Tenens?
Locum tenens can be an excellent option for physicians who value flexibility and variety.
Common candidates include:
- Recent residency or fellowship graduates
- Physicians between permanent positions
- Providers interested in exploring new locations
- Physicians seeking supplemental income
- Semi-retired physicians looking to scale back their workload
- Clinicians seeking improved work-life balance
- Certain specialties like Orthopedic Surgeons: Why Orthopedic Surgeons Are a Great Fit for Locum Tenens – MDstaffers | Locum Tenens |
Locums can also serve as a way to experience different practice settings before making a long-term commitment.
Who is a Good Fit for Permanent Employment?
Permanent roles are often well-suited for physicians seeking long-term stability and career development.
These positions may be ideal for:
- Physicians building a long-term patient panel
- Providers seeking employer-sponsored benefits
- Those interested in leadership opportunities
- Physicians looking to establish roots in a specific community
- Clinicians who value consistency and predictability
For many physicians, a permanent role provides the foundation for long-term professional growth.
Can You Do Both?
Absolutely.
Many physicians combine permanent employment with occasional locum tenens assignments. This approach can provide additional income, expand clinical experience, and offer flexibility without leaving a primary position.
Others use locum tenens as a bridge between permanent opportunities or to evaluate different practice environments before committing to a long-term role.
Career paths are rarely one-size-fits-all, and many physicians find value in leveraging both options at different stages of their careers.
How to Decide Which Career Path is Right for You
Consider the following factors when deciding between locum tenens and permanent physician employment.
Identify your schedule priorities
Consider whether you prefer control over individual assignments or the predictability of a long-term position and established schedule.
Compare the full compensation package
Review pay rates, health benefits, retirement contributions, travel coverage, malpractice coverage, paid time off, and other forms of compensation.
Consider your preferred practice environment
Decide whether you value exposure to different healthcare facilities or want to build long-term relationships within one organization and community.
Evaluate your work-life balance goals
Determine how much control you want over your workload, time off, assignment length, location, and administrative responsibilities.
Review your long-term career plans
Consider whether flexibility, supplemental income, leadership advancement, clinical variety, or long-term stability is most important at your current career stage.
Important: You do not necessarily need to choose only one path. Some physicians maintain permanent employment while accepting occasional locum tenens assignments, while others use locum tenens as a bridge between permanent positions.
Final Thoughts
Both locum tenens and permanent physician jobs offer meaningful advantages. Physicians who prioritize flexibility, variety, and schedule control may prefer locum tenens assignments. Those seeking stability, long-term patient relationships, and comprehensive benefits may find permanent employment more attractive.
The best choice depends on your individual career goals, financial objectives, and lifestyle preferences. By understanding the strengths of each option, you can choose the path that supports both your professional success and personal well-being.
Interested in exploring locum tenens opportunities? Contact MDstaffers to learn how flexible assignments can help you achieve your career goals while maintaining the schedule and lifestyle you want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Locum Tenens and Permanent Jobs
These quick answers cover common questions physicians may have when comparing locum tenens assignments with permanent employment.
What is the main difference between locum tenens and permanent employment?
Locum tenens physicians accept temporary assignments that may range from several days to several months. Permanent physicians enter a long-term employment arrangement with a healthcare organization, private practice, medical group, or hospital system.
Do locum tenens physicians have more schedule flexibility?
Locum tenens assignments often allow physicians to choose when they work, select preferred assignment lengths, take time off between contracts, and explore opportunities in different regions.
Do permanent physician positions include benefits?
A permanent compensation package may include health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, continuing medical education benefits, and productivity incentives. Specific benefits vary by employer and position.
Does a staffing agency coordinate locum tenens travel?
Staffing agencies may coordinate credentialing, travel arrangements, lodging, and other assignment logistics. The specific support provided depends on the agency and assignment.
Can physicians work locum tenens while holding a permanent job?
Some physicians combine permanent employment with occasional locum tenens assignments. Physicians should review their employment agreement, scheduling obligations, credentialing requirements, and applicable policies before accepting additional work.
Is locum tenens a good option for recent residency or fellowship graduates?
Locum tenens may allow recent graduates to experience different locations, facilities, and practice settings before making a long-term career commitment.
Can locum tenens physicians work in multiple states?
Physicians must hold the appropriate license for each state in which they practice. Qualified physicians may be able to use the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to pursue licenses in participating states through an expedited pathway. Review the MDstaffers IMLC guide for additional information.
Which option offers better work-life balance?
The answer depends on the physician’s priorities. Locum tenens may provide greater control over assignment timing and workload, while a permanent position may provide a more predictable routine and consistent organizational support.
How should physicians compare locum tenens and permanent compensation?
Physicians should consider the complete value of each opportunity, including salary or hourly rates, benefits, travel support, malpractice coverage, paid time off, retirement contributions, schedule flexibility, and long-term career goals.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Compensation, benefits, licensing requirements, credentialing requirements, travel arrangements, and assignment terms vary by employer, facility, specialty, location, and individual agreement. Physicians should review the complete terms of any employment opportunity or assignment before making a career decision.
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