Locum OB/GYN vs Permanent OB/GYN in Florida
Real numbers, state-adjusted. See what permanent doesn't show you — and what locum doesn't get.
Direct Answer
Locum ob/gyn in Florida earn $220–$303/hr (annualized $464,640–$639,936 at 44 working weeks). Permanent ob/gyn in Florida earn $352,000–$462,000 base salary plus benefits worth ~$63,360–$83,160. Locum total comp tops permanent by $0–$224,576 in 2026.
Pay rates per LocumOS Physician Freedom Project 2026, AMN Healthcare 2026, and NALTO benchmarks. Physician take-home, 1099. Updated May 2026.
Side-by-Side: Locum vs Permanent OB/GYN
| Factor | Locum (1099) | Permanent (W-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Compensation | $464,640–$639,936 (gross, 1099) | $415,360–$545,160 (salary + benefits) |
| Hourly Equivalent | $220–$303/hr | $169–$222/hr equivalent |
| Benefits | Malpractice, travel, lodging bundled. Solo 401(k) to $69K. No employer match. | Health insurance, 401(k) match (~3–6%), PTO, CME stipend. Tail usually not included. |
| Schedule Control | 24-hour call or clinic-only. No group call obligations, no delivery quota. | Fixed schedule, call obligations, committee duties, admin meetings. |
| Tax Structure | 1099 with S-Corp. Deduct travel, lodging. Higher malpractice but tail included by Locums One. | W-2. Standard deductions only. FICA split with employer. Limited retirement options. |
| Lifestyle | Call-heavy pays daily rates. Clinic-only pays hourly with no overnight. Full control over L&D exposure. | 2–4 weeks PTO per year. Call obligations. EMR inbox. Hospital politics. |
| Career Risk | OB/GYN malpractice is highest in medicine. Locum tail coverage from Locums One eliminates the $40K+ tail buyout risk. | Partnership track or employment model. Non-compete clauses. Golden handcuffs. |
What Permanent Doesn't Show You
FICA/SS Hidden Cost
Employer pays 7.65% FICA match (~$28,390) that never hits your W-2. As 1099, you pay both halves — but deduct the employer half.
Malpractice Tail
When you leave perm, tail coverage costs $40,000+. Locums One includes tail in every assignment.
Vacation Buy-In
4 weeks PTO = $32,000 in deferred earnings. Locum: take time off between assignments, no unpaid gap.
License & CME Fees
~$6,000/year in license renewals, DEA, board fees, CME travel. Often out-of-pocket even with "CME stipend."
What Locum Doesn't Get
Employer Health Insurance
No default group health plan. You buy on the marketplace or through a spouse. Cost: $8K–$18K/year for family coverage.
Retirement Match
No employer 401(k) match (~$19,200 value). You max Solo 401(k) to $69K — but it's all your money.
Annualized Math for Florida OB/GYN
Locum 1099
Permanent W-2
Locum net tops permanent net by:
$0–$224,576
At 44 working weeks. Work 8 weeks off per year.
Your Locum Career, Managed End-to-End
The biggest objection to switching from permanent to locum is career management. Who handles your next assignment? Your licensing? Your tax strategy?
Locums One does. Same recruiter every assignment. State licensing handled. Malpractice verified. Travel booked. We do not just place you — we manage your locum career so you can focus on medicine.