Hospitalist Work for Physicians: Compensation & Getting Started
Based on data from 2 physicians on OffCall
What Physicians Earn from Hospitalist Side Gigs
Typical Compensation: $40,000–$100,000/year
Compensation Range:
- Lower end: $40,000/year
- Upper end: $100,000/year
- Top earners: $100,000+
Time Commitment: 5–12 hours per week typically
Data reflects 2025 responses from OffCall physicians
What Is Hospitalist Side Gig Work?
Hospitalist side gigs typically involve picking up extra shifts or limited blocks of inpatient work outside a primary role. These gigs can include weekend coverage, short-term contracts, or locum tenens opportunities, depending on licensure and availability.
Physicians provide inpatient care, round on patients, and coordinate discharge planning. The work is intensive but predictable, and because many hospital systems need flexible coverage, there’s often strong demand and competitive pay for part-time or PRN hospitalists.
These roles allow physicians to maintain inpatient skills, diversify income, and remain clinically active without the commitment of a full-time hospitalist schedule.
Who This Side Gig Works Best For
Ideal Candidates:
- Board-certified internal medicine or family medicine physicians
- Experience with inpatient care and hospital workflows
- Comfort managing acute and complex cases independently
- Willingness to adapt to different systems and EMRs
Less Ideal For:
- Physicians seeking remote or non-clinical roles
- Those without recent inpatient experience or credentialing
- Clinicians unwilling to work weekends or nights
How to Get Started
Opportunities are available through local hospital systems, per diem staffing pools, or national locum tenens agencies. Having an active license, malpractice coverage, and recent inpatient experience is key. Credentialing can take weeks to months, so start early if planning ahead.
If you already work in a hospital, inquire about per diem options internally. For external gigs, platforms like CompHealth, LocumTenens.com, and Barton Associates are common entry points.
What to Charge
Hospitalist compensation varies by geography, acuity, and schedule. Based on OffCall data, working 5–12 hours per week can generate $40,000–$100,000/year. Per diem shifts often pay $1,500–$2,000/day, depending on location and need.
Negotiate rates for nights, weekends, or holiday shifts, and confirm whether the rate includes malpractice coverage and onboarding time.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overcommitting without rest days: Hospital work is physically and emotionally demanding—build in recovery time.
- Underestimating onboarding timelines: Credentialing and EMR training can delay your first shift—plan accordingly.
- Ignoring scope differences: Every hospital has its own protocols and resources—ask about support before starting.
Compare Your Side Gig Income
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