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May 26, 2026
Interest in locum tenens work is growing faster than ever, and recent industry research shows that locums has become increasingly mainstream among physicians across the country. According to a recent Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) article highlighting findings from a 2026 physician workforce report, physician participation in locum tenens work has more than doubled over the past decade, signaling a major shift in how healthcare professionals approach their careers.
The article notes that 41% of physicians surveyed reported they have worked locum tenens at some point in their careers, compared to just 20% in 2016. In addition, only 5% of physicians reported actively working locums a decade ago, compared to 14% in recent findings.
At Aequor, we continue to see growing interest from physicians seeking greater flexibility, stronger work-life balance, and more control over their schedules through locum tenens opportunities.
SIA highlights that locum tenens is no longer viewed simply as a temporary career stopgap. Instead, more physicians are intentionally choosing locums as part of a long-term career strategy.
The report referenced in the article describes locum tenens as reaching a “tipping point,” with physicians increasingly learning about opportunities directly from peers and colleagues within their own practice settings.
This growing normalization of locums reflects changing priorities among healthcare professionals. Physicians today are looking for:
Rather than following a single traditional employment path, many providers are seeking ways to build careers that better align with both personal and professional goals.
One of the most notable findings discussed by SIA is how physicians are discovering locum tenens opportunities.
Historically, many physicians first learned about locums through staffing firms and recruiter outreach. Today, peer influence has become one of the strongest drivers of awareness and interest.
According to the report, more than half of physicians surveyed said they were introduced to locum tenens by either:
● Working alongside locum physicians
● Hearing about locums experiences from colleagues or friends
This shift shows how widely accepted locum tenens has become within the healthcare industry. As more physicians share positive experiences with flexible assignments, additional providers are becoming open to exploring locums opportunities themselves.
Another major takeaway from the SIA research is that most physicians are not using locum tenens to replace their careers entirely. Instead, many are incorporating locums work alongside permanent roles.
The report found that 60% of physicians currently working locums do so in addition to other professional positions, while only 40% utilize locums as their primary career model.
This trend reflects how physicians are using locum tenens to create additional flexibility and financial support while maintaining stability in other areas of their careers.
The article also highlighted several top motivations for pursuing locums work:
● Supplementing core income
● Attractive compensation
● Greater schedule control
For many physicians, locum tenens assignments can provide opportunities to:
● Pay down student loans
● Build savings
● Offset rising living expenses
● Reduce financial stress
● Maintain income during career transitions
At the same time, physicians can continue practicing medicine while creating schedules that better support their lifestyles and long-term goals.
Physician burnout continues to impact healthcare systems nationwide. Long hours, administrative responsibilities, staffing shortages, and increasing patient demands have left many providers searching for more sustainable ways to practice medicine.
SIA emphasized that physicians are increasingly turning to locums as a way to “control their careers and build a more satisfying life.”
Flexibility is a major reason for this shift. Locum tenens assignments allow physicians to have more influence over:
This level of control can help physicians maintain better work-life balance and reduce the fatigue that often accompanies rigid schedules and staffing pressures.
Locum tenens also gives physicians the ability to experience different healthcare settings, geographic locations, and patient populations without making long-term commitments.
As physician interest grows, healthcare facilities also continue relying heavily on locum tenens staffing to address workforce shortages and maintain continuity of care.
Hospitals and healthcare systems use locum providers to:
With physician shortages projected to continue across multiple specialties, locum tenens remains an important workforce solution throughout the healthcare industry.
The trends highlighted in the SIA research reinforce what many healthcare organizations and staffing partners are already experiencing firsthand: physician demand for flexibility is continuing to rise.
As more physicians prioritize autonomy, work-life balance, and career customization, locum tenens opportunities will likely remain an increasingly important part of the healthcare workforce landscape.
At Aequor, we help physicians find locum tenens opportunities that align with their specialties, schedules, and career goals while helping healthcare organizations maintain high-quality patient care through strategic staffing support.
Whether you’re exploring locum tenens for supplemental income, schedule flexibility, or a new career opportunity, Aequor can help you navigate today’s evolving healthcare workforce with confidence. Connect with an Aequor locum tenens recruiter today or explore our open locum tenens positions.
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