With hospitals being short-staffed and patient volumes climbing, locum tenens are in higher demand than ever. Locum tenens physicians and providers are no longer a backup plan for understaffed hospitals. They are a strategic necessity. At AB Staffing, we’re seeing physician shortages increase and seasonal patient volumes climb. Spring and summer create a unique window of opportunity for locum providers ready to step into high-demand roles. If you are exploring new contract opportunities this season, here is a look at the market and some top specialties driving locum tenens.
Top Locum Tenens Jobs for Spring and Summer 2026
Healthcare leaders across the industry agree that locums staffing has evolved into an essential workforce strategy. According to a 2026 industry outlook published by Locumpedia, senior executives at major staffing firms confirm that healthcare facilities now treat locums as a built-in part of their staff rather than a last-minute fix. Health systems need help, patients need care, and locum providers are filling those gaps.
The numbers reinforce that picture. Projections from the Association of American Medical Colleges point to a shortage of more than 96,000 physicians by 2036, and many health systems are already feeling the pressure today. Spring contracts in high-need states are currently reflecting a 15 to 20 percent surge premium, making this season a particularly strong time to secure a new assignment.
Top Specialties for Spring and Summer
Whether you specialize in Emergency Medicine, OB/GYN, Corrections, or Dentistry, the spring and summer seasons bring predictable surges in patient demand across several key fields. Here is a breakdown of the roles we’re seeing have the most opportunities for travelers.
Emergency Medicine
As the weather starts to warm up, emergency departments experience a predictable surge in outdoor injuries, travel-related accidents, and other conditions associated with heat, like dehydration, which we experience in Arizona. Permanent ER staff frequently request vacation during this period, leaving facilities short-staffed precisely when patient volume climbs. Rural and destination hospitals located near national parks or beach communities face an even steeper challenge, as local populations can triple during summer months. Locum EM physicians play a critical role in keeping those facilities running safely and efficiently through the busy season.
OB/GYN
Spring consistently sees a rise in deliveries, sometimes called the March baby phenomenon, placing significant pressure on permanent labor and delivery teams. Locum OBGYNs have become a necessity to keep many rural birthing centers open and operational. For providers, contract roles in this specialty also offer a level of work-life balance that full-time practice rarely provides.
Dentistry
Dentists working in compact states enter spring with a significant advantage. The Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact is now active in 13 states, with additional legislation pending, allowing qualified providers to cross state lines and begin working in days rather than months. A dentist licensed in Ohio, for example, can pick up a June or July contract along a participating coastal state with minimal administrative delay. Timing also works in their favor. Once school lets out in late May and June, dental offices typically see a 25 to 30 percent spike in pediatric and orthodontic cases, as parents schedule cleanings, wisdom tooth extractions, and braces appointments before the new school year starts in the fall.
Corrections
Correctional medicine offers a distinct appeal for providers who want clinical variety paired with structure. Providers in this setting encounter a wide range of cases, similar to an emergency department, combined with the predictable shifts and security of a government facility. For many state-run facilities, the fiscal year resets in spring, creating renewed demand for contracted medical services. Additionally, facilities often find that their permanent staff face increased pressure from updated documentation requirements and chronic disease management protocols, leading them to bring in locum providers to ease the load.
Benefits of Locum Tenens Work
Choosing contract work comes with real advantages beyond competitive pay. From flexible scheduling to malpractice coverage and paid travel, there are many Benefits of Locum Tenens worth reviewing before you decide on your next move. Providers who choose locums gain control over their schedule, the ability to practice in diverse settings, and the freedom to take time between assignments without career penalties.
How to Apply for a Locum Tenens Job
Ready to find your next assignment? AB Staffing’s comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about how to apply for locum tenens positions, including what to expect during the credentialing process, how to evaluate contract terms, and what questions to ask your recruiter before accepting an offer.
While other segments of healthcare staffing have ebbed and flowed over the last five or six years, locum tenens remains a stable, high-growth option in 2026. For physicians, NPs, and PAs, that stability translates to greater job security and the freedom to be picky about where and how they work. Spring and summer have the strongest contract opportunities across key specialties. Now is a great time to explore what is available to you and secure an assignment that fits what you are looking for.
Apply for a locum tenens job through the AB Staffing Job Board and take the next step toward becoming a locum tenens provider.
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