How does blended (taxable + stipend) pay work?

A standard travel package combines a taxable hourly rate with tax-free housing and meal stipends, provided you maintain a permanent tax home. The weekly totals shown here are blended — what hits your bank account before federal/state income tax on the hourly portion.

Is housing arranged or do I find my own?

Most travelers take the stipend and arrange housing (Furnished Finder, Airbnb monthly, extended-stay hotels). Company-arranged housing is available but typically reduces your weekly take-home.

What happens between contracts?

Most travelers line up the next contract 2–4 weeks before the current one ends. There's no employer-paid PTO — you build your own buffer. Some travelers take planned 1–2 week breaks between assignments.

What's the cost of living like in California?

California has a high cost of living (~142% of the national average), which is why weekly pay is premium. Stipends cover housing well in most metros but are tight in the highest-cost neighborhoods.

How do I choose the right agency?

Compare pay packages line by line (hourly + stipend + benefits + reimbursements), not just the headline weekly number. Ask about cancellation policy, guaranteed hours, and whether your recruiter stays with you for the full assignment.

Staffing · CA

Locum Tenens in California

Q: Do I need a California license to take a contract in California?

Yes — California is NOT a compact state — RNs need a California BRN license (4–8 week processing). Premium pay reflects mandated 1:5 ratios. Most agencies will reimburse application fees and walk you through the paperwork.

86+ open locum tenens contracts across California — averaging $12,125/week blended, with 5 top-rated agencies competing for your assignment.

Browse open contracts Talk to a recruiter

86+
Open contracts
$12,125
Avg weekly (blended)
5
Top agencies
State-only
Compact license

State overview

Why locum tenens choose California

Locum tenens physicians and APPs cover hospital, ED, and clinic gaps across California — with malpractice covered, travel reimbursed, and weekly pay.

California is NOT a compact state — RNs need a California BRN license (4–8 week processing). Premium pay reflects mandated 1:5 ratios. Top demand metros: Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay, San Diego, Sacramento.

Open contracts

Locum Tenens contracts in California

A snapshot of active assignments across the state. Sample data shown — recruiter sees live inventory.

Facility	City	Specialty	Length	Shift	Weekly	Start
Memorial Medical Center Level I Trauma	Los Angeles, CA	Hospitalist	2 weeks	Nights 3x12	$12,400	Starts in ~1 week
St. Luke's Regional Academic Medical	San Francisco Bay, CA	Emergency Medicine	4 weeks	Days 3x12	$11,925	Starts in ~2 weeks
University Health Community Hospital	San Diego, CA	Anesthesia	8 weeks	Rotating 3x12	$12,075	Starts in ~3 weeks
Mercy General LTAC	Sacramento, CA	Psychiatry	2 weeks	Mid 4x10	$12,200	Starts in ~4 weeks
Mountain View Hospital Level I Trauma	Los Angeles, CA	Family Medicine	4 weeks	Nights 3x12	$12,350	Starts in ~5 weeks
Coastal Regional Medical Academic Medical	San Francisco Bay, CA	Surgery	8 weeks	Days 3x12	$11,875	Starts in ~1 week
Northside Trauma Center Community Hospital	San Diego, CA	Radiology	2 weeks	Rotating 3x12	$12,025	Starts in ~2 weeks
Riverside Community Hospital LTAC	Sacramento, CA	Hospitalist	4 weeks	Mid 4x10	$12,150	Starts in ~3 weeks

Memorial Medical Center

$12,400/wk

Level I Trauma · Los Angeles, CA

Hospitalist2 weeksNights 3x12Starts in ~1 week

St. Luke's Regional

$11,925/wk

Academic Medical · San Francisco Bay, CA

Emergency Medicine4 weeksDays 3x12Starts in ~2 weeks

University Health

$12,075/wk

Community Hospital · San Diego, CA

Anesthesia8 weeksRotating 3x12Starts in ~3 weeks

Mercy General

$12,200/wk

LTAC · Sacramento, CA

Psychiatry2 weeksMid 4x10Starts in ~4 weeks

Mountain View Hospital

$12,350/wk

Level I Trauma · Los Angeles, CA

Family Medicine4 weeksNights 3x12Starts in ~5 weeks

Coastal Regional Medical

$11,875/wk

Academic Medical · San Francisco Bay, CA

Surgery8 weeksDays 3x12Starts in ~1 week

Northside Trauma Center

$12,025/wk

Community Hospital · San Diego, CA

Radiology2 weeksRotating 3x12Starts in ~2 weeks

Riverside Community Hospital

$12,150/wk

LTAC · Sacramento, CA

Hospitalist4 weeksMid 4x10Starts in ~3 weeks

Pay ranges

Locum Provider salary in California

Blended weekly = taxable hourly + tax-free housing/meal stipends. Annual assumes 48 contracted weeks.

Specialty	Weekly (blended)	Annualized
Hospitalist	$11,725 – $12,525	$562,800 – $601,200
Emergency Medicine	$11,800 – $12,600	$566,400 – $604,800
Anesthesia	$11,900 – $12,700	$571,200 – $609,600
Psychiatry	$12,000 – $12,800	$576,000 – $614,400
Family Medicine	$12,075 – $12,875	$579,600 – $618,000

Cost-of-living adjusted to California's index of ~142% of the national baseline.

Facility types

Where you'll work

The same role pays and feels different depending on the facility type.

Level I Trauma Centers

Highest-acuity emergency, surgical, and ICU work. Premium pay, intense pace, top-tier learning.

Academic Medical Centers

Teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools. Complex cases, multidisciplinary teams, EHR-mature.

Community Hospitals

Mid-size facilities serving regional populations. Balanced acuity and steady, predictable schedules.

Long-Term Acute Care (LTAC)

Extended-stay medical units for medically complex patients — vent weaning, complex wound care, long IV courses.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

Post-acute rehab and long-term care. Strong demand for therapists, LPNs, and per diem RNs.

Outpatient & Ambulatory

Surgery centers, infusion clinics, and specialty outpatient practices. Daytime hours, predictable schedules.

Credentials

Required certifications

The baseline credentials for locum tenens working in California. Most agencies cover renewal fees for active travelers.

MD/DO
State medical license
DEA
Board certification
Malpractice coverage

Recruiter network

Top-rated agencies for this market

Independent ratings from working travelers. Sample illustrative data — your recruiter sees live inventory.

Vivian Health

4.7(12,400)

Response: Under 4 hrs

Travel RNAlliedPer diem

Transparent pay packages, no negotiations

Aya Healthcare

4.6(9,800)

Response: Same day

Travel RNCrisis

Largest contract inventory in the country

Cross Country Healthcare

4.5(7,200)

Response: Same day

Travel RNLocum

Day-one health benefits, 401k match

Medical Solutions

4.8(6,400)

Response: Under 2 hrs

Travel RNAllied

Dedicated recruiter for the full assignment

Trusted Health

4.7(4,100)

Response: Under 6 hrs

Travel RNICU/ER

Self-service job search, transparent stipends

Frequently asked

Locum Tenens in California: common questions

Same role, other states

Locum Tenens in Texas Locum Tenens in Florida Locum Tenens in New York Locum Tenens in Arizona Locum Tenens in Washington

Other roles in California

Travel Nurses in California Travel Allied Health in California Per Diem Nurses in California

Ready to land your next locum provider contract in California?

One intake reaches every top-rated agency above — pay packages back to you within 24 hours.

Get matched with recruiters Explore all careers