Here is a deeper look at the most common concerns that prevent radiologists from working in locum tenens roles, and how locum tenens assignments speak to these underlying goals.
“I’m concerned about unstable pay.”
Concern:
- Not knowing amount of income from week to week
- Always seeking a new job
- Instability at work
Reality: While full-time or part-time permanent employment can create a regular routine, locum tenens can have some variability. However, a partnering with dedicated recruiters helps ensure a consistent flow of high-paying assignments that meet clinicians’ work requirements. Radiologists in high-demand sub-specialties will often enjoy year-round work opportunities, and many find that their earning potential beats traditional employment—especially when factoring in the unique benefits of locums, like flexibility and tax advantages.
“Locum tenens benefits aren’t as good as permanent jobs.”
Concern:
- Cost of medical benefits
- Fewer benefits overall than with permanent roles
Reality: It is an under-reported fact that full-time locums often earn enough to offset private insurance, and are able to invest in retirement while still taking home more pay. Paired with the flexibility of working on your schedule and not just your employer’s, the value of working locums roles skyrockets.
“Locums assignments don’t pay enough.”
Concern:
- Assignments do not offer high enough compensation
- Hospitals are underpaying what the market requires
Reality: The field of radiology is facing one of the most significant labor shortages across all healthcare specialties. This means that radiologists have a strong position to negotiate pay that matches their financial goals. A proactive staffing agency will not only find the roles clinicians are seeking, but also help them land the assignments that match their pay requirements.
“I want to stay close to home and work with a familiar team.”
Concern:
- Prefer to personally know ancillary staff and their strengths
- No desire to travel and work in an unfamiliar area
Reality: While locum tenens work does offer work in a variety of settings and locations, it doesn’t have to mean travel far from home. Some radiology clinicians prefer to stay in a familiar region or facility for extended periods of work. And although it’s true that adapting to new teams warrants some adjustment, many locums clinicians prefer this in order to broaden their perspectives and sharpen their skillset.
“I don’t trust recruiters or the pay structure.”
Concern:
- Intermittent work equates to lower pay than permanent salary
- Compensation is not fair, because agencies keep a big chunk of the paycheck
Reality: Transparency is important when taking on locums assignments. An agency with expertise will be upfront and clear about clinician pay and the structure of the contract. The best recruiters look more like advocates than “headhunters,” negotiating for clinicians’ best interests and ensuring that they secure assignments that pay fairly. At LocumTenens.com, our recruiters collaborate with clinicians to achieve the pay that aligns with their career goals.
“Assignments can be canceled at any time.”
Concern:
- Employers might cancel an assignment unexpectedly
- Clinicians are at the mercy of corporations changing their minds
Reality: While assignment-based work keeps income diversified, canceling assignments is not the norm for locum tenens work, and the underlying contracts hold ensure accountability. LocumTenens.com’s client relationships—modeled as concierge staffing services for healthcare clients and bringing proactive and consultative value to the table—helps ensure that clinicians are placed with reliable roles with the nation’s top healthcare organizations.
A sense of purpose
While compensation and the logistics of nontraditional styles of work are top of mind for many radiology specialists, many clinicians are seeking a deeper and more meaningful sense of the calling—the same drive that led them to choose a medical career.
In a 2025 report about purpose in the field medicine, we found that a growing number of clinicians are re-examining their connection to their medical calling:
- 90% of respondents saw medicine as a calling when they began, but more than half say the feeling has faded over time.
- 73% of respondents said “helping others/serving humanity” was a key motivator for pursuing medicine.
- Generations have different drivers—Baby Boomers are more likely to report a strong sense of calling and high passion for their work, while Gen Z was most to be motivated by a desire to serve humanity.
The data revealed some universality to these and other findings—all benefit from purpose-driven work. Region and work type had little impact on beliefs about purpose.
Related: Why one surgeon chose the locum tenens lifestyle
What it means for radiologists
Radiologists’ concerns about the stability and compensation associated with their hard work are completely valid. Although the locum tenens style of work may not be for everyone, for many radiologists it opens the door to:
- Flexibility in work schedules
- Work/life balance
- Higher earning potential
- Reduced administrative burden, allowing them to focus on delivering patient care
- Renewal and reconnection with purpose-driven medical work
Radiologists don’t have to leap blindly into locums work. The right recruiter will guide them through the process—from initial job search, through the application and credentialing process, to negotiating the pay and assignment details that suit their career goals.
Speak with a knowledgeable recruiter today about the benefits of full-time locum tenens work.
