Locum Interventional Cardiology vs Permanent Interventional Cardiology in North Carolina
Real numbers, state-adjusted. See what permanent doesn't show you — and what locum doesn't get.
Direct Answer
Locum interventional cardiology in North Carolina earn $468–$605/hr (annualized $988,416–$1,277,760 at 44 working weeks). Permanent interventional cardiology in North Carolina earn $572,000–$748,000 base salary plus benefits worth ~$102,960–$134,640. Locum total comp tops permanent by $105,776–$602,800 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 Interventional Cardiology
| Factor | Locum (1099) | Permanent (W-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Compensation | $988,416–$1,277,760 (gross, 1099) | $674,960–$882,640 (salary + benefits) |
| Hourly Equivalent | $468–$605/hr | $275–$360/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 | STEMI call only when you accept it. No cath lab administration, no quality committee. | Fixed schedule, call obligations, committee duties, admin meetings. |
| Tax Structure | 1099 S-Corp standard. Deduct travel between assignments, lodging, procedural equipment. | W-2. Standard deductions only. FICA split with employer. Limited retirement options. |
| Lifestyle | High-intensity blocks with long breaks. 6–8 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off. No pager on break. | 2–4 weeks PTO per year. Call obligations. EMR inbox. Hospital politics. |
| Career Risk | High procedural liability but no long-tail from perm employment. Malpractice tail covered by Locums One. | 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 (~$45,760) 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 $35,000+. Locums One includes tail in every assignment.
Vacation Buy-In
4 weeks PTO = $52,000 in deferred earnings. Locum: take time off between assignments, no unpaid gap.
License & CME Fees
~$9,000/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 (~$31,200 value). You max Solo 401(k) to $69K — but it's all your money.
Annualized Math for North Carolina Interventional Cardiology
Locum 1099
Permanent W-2
Locum net tops permanent net by:
$105,776–$602,800
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.