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Agency Comparison8 min read

Locums One vs LocumTenens.com: How They Actually Compare in 2026

LocumTenens.com is one of the most recognized names in locum tenens staffing. Here's how they actually compare to Locums One on the metrics that affect your paycheck.

Published by LocumsOne Editorial TeamMay 10, 2026

LocumTenens.com is one of the most recognized names in locum tenens staffing — a Jackson Healthcare company with decades of market presence and a large facility network. If you're evaluating agencies, they'll come up early in your research.

Here's how they actually compare to Locums One on the metrics that matter most to physicians.

DIRECT ANSWER — LOCUMS ONE VS LOCUMTENENS.COM

Side-by-Side Comparison

Markup transparency

Locums OnePublished 15–22% margin; bill rate disclosed on request
LocumTenens.comOpaque; margin not disclosed

Credentialing speed

Locums One21-day average (industry: 60–90 days)
LocumTenens.com30–90 days typical

Recruiter consistency

Locums OneSame recruiter every assignment
LocumTenens.comRotating recruiters common

Tax/legal support

Locums OneFree CPA consult for every placed physician
LocumTenens.comNot included

Rate structure

Locums OneBundled — malpractice, travel, lodging in one number
LocumTenens.comOften unbundled; separate invoices

1099 vs EOR

Locums One1099 independent contractor (physician-preferred)
LocumTenens.comMix of 1099 and W-2/EOR

Locum career management

Locums OneFull end-to-end: credentialing, licensing, tax, planning
LocumTenens.comPlacement-focused; limited ongoing support

Malpractice

Locums One$1M/$3M occurrence-based, tail included
LocumTenens.comVaries; claims-made common

CV submission policy

Locums OneNo name-clearing without written approval
LocumTenens.comStandard industry practice varies

Where LocumTenens.com Is Actually Better

Brand recognition. LocumTenens.com has been in the market for decades and has strong name recognition with both physicians and facilities. Some hospital medical staff offices have established workflows specifically for their physicians.

Facility network. As a Jackson Healthcare company, LocumTenens.com has broad facility relationships across the country.

Assignment volume. Their pipeline is substantial, particularly for EM, hospitalist, and primary care specialties.

Where Locums One Wins

Markup transparency. LocumTenens.com, like most large agencies, does not disclose their margin. Locums One publishes its 15–22% margin and will share the hospital's bill rate on request. On a $500/hr bill rate, the difference between a 38% margin and an 18% margin is $100/hr — or roughly $228,000/year working full-time.

Credentialing speed. Locums One averages 21 days. LocumTenens.com's typical timeline is 45–90 days. Every extra week of credentialing delay is a week you're not earning.

Same recruiter every assignment. LocumTenens.com's scale means recruiter turnover and reassignment are common. Locums One assigns one recruiter who stays with you across every assignment, every state, every year.

Free CPA consult. Every physician placed through Locums One gets a free consult with a CPA who specializes in 1099 physician income. LocumTenens.com does not include this.

End-to-end locum career management. LocumTenens.com places you on assignments. Locums One manages your locum career — credentialing packet, license expirations, malpractice tail, tax-pro consult, year-ahead planning.

Your Locum Career, Managed End-to-End

Other agencies place you on one assignment, then you start the paperwork from zero on the next. We carry it forward.

Your credentialing packet, license expirations, malpractice tail coverage, tax-pro consult, year-ahead assignment planning — all tracked in one place by the same team. You stay focused on patients. We handle the rest of your locum career.

*Nobody else in locum tenens does this end-to-end. We built it because every founder here lived through what didn't.*

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LocumTenens.com a good locum tenens agency?

LocumTenens.com is a large, established agency with strong brand recognition and broad facility relationships. They're a legitimate option for physicians who prioritize assignment volume. The tradeoff is opacity on margins and limited individual support at scale.

How does Locums One's margin compare to LocumTenens.com?

Locums One operates at 15–22% margin and discloses it. LocumTenens.com does not disclose physician-level margins. Industry estimates for large agencies run 30–45%. On a $500/hr bill rate, that's $65–$115/hr more in your pocket with Locums One.

For how agency markups affect your pay, see our guide on how locum tenens pricing works. For contract red flags, see our contract negotiation guide.

Tired of locum agency roulette?

Apply to the Locums One Bench (free) or get your IMLC license for a $99 refundable deposit. Both put you in front of pre-vetted gigs.