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Healthcare Contract & 1099 Demand Forecast

Where locum, travel, and per-diem healthcare demand is rising — by role, by city, in real time.

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Top 10 In-Demand Healthcare Contract Roles

United States · 30 days · Modeled demand index

#1
Hot

Travel Registered Nurse (RN)

Demand Index
96
+26%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$55·$80·$110/hr
Contract 90%C2H 10%
#2
Hot

Locum Tenens Physician (MD/DO)

Demand Index
94
+24%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$175·$260·$375/hr
Contract 92%C2H 8%
#3
Hot

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Demand Index
91
+22%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$70·$100·$140/hr
Contract 78%C2H 22%
#4
Hot

CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist)

Demand Index
89
+25%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$175·$230·$300/hr
Contract 88%C2H 12%
#5
Rising

Physician Assistant (PA-C)

Demand Index
86
+18%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$75·$105·$145/hr
Contract 74%C2H 26%
#6
Rising

Behavioral Health Therapist (LCSW/LMFT)

Demand Index
84
+21%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$60·$85·$120/hr
Contract 82%C2H 18%
#7
Rising

Medical Coder / CDI Specialist (Remote)

Demand Index
80
+17%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$35·$55·$80/hr
Contract 86%C2H 14%
#8
Rising

Physical Therapist (Contract/PRN)

Demand Index
76
+12%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$55·$80·$110/hr
Contract 70%C2H 30%
#9
Rising

Radiology Tech / Sonographer

Demand Index
73
+14%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$50·$70·$95/hr
Contract 68%C2H 32%
#10
Cooling

Utilization Review / Case Manager RN

Demand Index
69
-2%
Hourly Pay (USD) Healthcare pay rangesBlended U.S. 1099 contractor rates for mid-level talent (3–7 yrs). U.S.-based freelancers/consultants only.Low = junior or lower-cost metros · Mid = national median · High = senior or major-metro premium.Rates are contractor bill rates (loaded for self-employment tax, benefits, insurance). They exclude equity, bonuses, and per-diem.Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES (29-xxxx healthcare practitioners); Medscape Physician & Advanced Practitioner Compensation Reports 2025; MGMA 2024 Provider Compensation & Production Survey.
low · mid · high
$55·$80·$110/hr
Contract 64%C2H 36%

Supply & Demand at a Glance

Visual breakdown of demand momentum, top roles, and the supply gap by market.

Demand vs. Supply — last 12 weeks

Indexed 0–100. Widening gap = more openings than available freelancers.

Demand
Supply
025507510012w10w8w6w4w2wnow

Top roles by Demand Index

United States · 30 days

Demand Index
Travel Registered Nurse (RN)96
Travel Registered Nurse (RN)
Index 96+26%Hot
90% contract · 10% C2H
Locum Tenens Physician (MD/DO)94
Locum Tenens Physician (MD/DO)
Index 94+24%Hot
92% contract · 8% C2H
Nurse Practitioner (NP)91
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Index 91+22%Hot
78% contract · 22% C2H
CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist)89
CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist)
Index 89+25%Hot
88% contract · 12% C2H
Physician Assistant (PA-C)86
Physician Assistant (PA-C)
Index 86+18%Rising
74% contract · 26% C2H
Behavioral Health Therapist (LCSW/LMFT)84
Behavioral Health Therapist (LCSW/LMFT)
Index 84+21%Rising
82% contract · 18% C2H
Medical Coder / CDI Specialist (Remote)80
Medical Coder / CDI Specialist (Remote)
Index 80+17%Rising
86% contract · 14% C2H
Physical Therapist (Contract/PRN)76
Physical Therapist (Contract/PRN)
Index 76+12%Rising
70% contract · 30% C2H

Geographic supply & demand map

Bubble size = demand · color = supply gap. Hover a metro for details.

Under-supplied (gap ≥ 25)
Tight (gap 15–24)
Balanced (gap < 15)
+33New York, NY+26Los Angeles, CA+31Houston, TX+28Dallas, TX+28Phoenix, AZ+22Atlanta, GA+18Chicago, IL+30Miami, FL+28Nashville, TN+11Boston, MAREMOTE (US)Demand 76 · Supply 58Gap +18 (nationwide)

Supply gap by metro

Openings vs. available Pro Verified freelancers. Positive = under-supplied.

Demand
Supply
Gap
0255075100+33New York, NY+26Los Angeles, CA+31Houston, TX+28Dallas, TX+28Phoenix, AZ+22Atlanta, GA+18Chicago, IL+30Miami, FL+28Nashville, TN+11Boston, MA+18Remote (US)Bars: Demand (blue) vs. Supply (amber) · Label = gap
Modeled contract openings
42,180
+18% MoM
Median blended rate
$118/hr
+7% MoM
Fastest-rising role
Travel RN
+26%

Where healthcare demand is rising fastest

Modeled from BLS, aggregated locum & travel platforms, and hospital hiring signals. Refreshed daily.

  • Phoenix, AZ+28%
  • Nashville, TN+23%
  • Houston, TX+20%
  • Remote (US)+17%
  • Miami, FL+13%

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