The global locum tenens staffing market size was estimated at USD 8.80 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14.61 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.56% from 2024 to 2030. The market’s strong growth is driven by several interrelated factors, including the rising demand for healthcare services and the persistent shortage of qualified healthcare professionals.

An aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases are contributing to a heightened need for medical care. These demographic and health trends are intensifying the shortage of healthcare workers, particularly primary care physicians and specialists. The shortage is most pronounced in rural areas, where the distribution of physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) is uneven, leading to staffing gaps and limited access to care.

The locum tenens model addresses these challenges by offering healthcare facilities temporary staffing solutions to fill workforce gaps. This approach is particularly valuable during periods of peak demand, such as when permanent physicians are on vacation, sabbatical, or leave, or when there is an unexpected surge in patient volume, as observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging locum tenens professionals, healthcare organizations can maintain consistent levels of patient care without compromising service quality. Additionally, this model helps reduce costs associated with recruiting, onboarding, and training permanent staff, providing a flexible and efficient solution to workforce shortages while ensuring operational continuity in healthcare delivery.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• North America dominated the global locum tenens staffing market in 2023, accounting for a 51.94% revenue share. The region’s leadership is primarily driven by a well-established healthcare infrastructure, high demand for medical services, and the widespread adoption of flexible staffing solutions to address workforce shortages. Strong government support, advanced healthcare systems, and a concentration of leading healthcare providers also contribute to North America’s dominant position in the market.

• Within the region, the U.S. locum tenens staffing market held the largest share in 2023. The country’s dominance can be attributed to its large healthcare sector, significant physician shortage in certain regions, and robust adoption of temporary staffing models to maintain continuity of care. U.S. healthcare facilities increasingly rely on locum tenens professionals to manage patient volume fluctuations, fill short-term staffing gaps, and maintain operational efficiency.

• By type, the nurses segment held the largest revenue share at 39.10% in 2023. The high demand for locum tenens nurses reflects their critical role in providing essential patient care, especially in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics. Nurses are often deployed to address immediate staffing shortages, seasonal demand increases, and specialized care requirements, making them a key component of the locum tenens workforce.

• Based on end use, the hospitals segment held the largest revenue share at 39.64% in 2023. Hospitals are major consumers of locum tenens staffing services due to their continuous need for flexible medical personnel to maintain patient care levels. The reliance on temporary staffing in hospitals helps manage workload fluctuations, ensures coverage during peak periods or staff absences, and allows for efficient allocation of permanent staff to critical areas. This segment’s leading position underscores the importance of locum tenens solutions in supporting hospital operations and optimizing healthcare delivery.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2023 Market Size: USD 8.80 Billion

• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 14.61 Billion

• CAGR (2024-2030): 7.56%

• North America: Largest market in 2023

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

The locum tenens staffing market is highly fragmented, characterized by the presence of numerous country-level players that cater to regional healthcare needs. This fragmentation allows for a diverse range of service providers, from large established firms to smaller, specialized companies, to operate simultaneously within the market.

The growing aging population and the increasing demand for mobile healthcare solutions are driving opportunities for new entrants, encouraging smaller competitors to establish a foothold in the industry. These emerging players are leveraging the rising need for temporary medical staffing to offer flexible, innovative solutions that address gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved regions or during peak demand periods.

Some of the notable emerging companies in the market include CompHealth, Global Medical Staffing, and Medicus Healthcare Solutions. These organizations are focusing on expanding their reach, improving service quality, and providing tailored staffing solutions to meet the evolving needs of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. By combining specialized expertise with adaptive staffing models, these smaller players are contributing to the overall dynamism and growth of the locum tenens staffing market.

Key Players

• CHG Management, Inc.

• AMN Healthcare

• ViSTA Staffing Solutions

• LocumTenens.com

• Aya Healthcare, Inc.

• Weatherby Healthcare. A CHG Company.

• The Delta Companies

• Medicus Healthcare Solutions, LLC

• Locumpedia

• Maxim Staffing

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Conclusion:

The global locum tenens staffing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for healthcare services and a shortage of healthcare professionals. The aging population and the rise in chronic illnesses are leading to a greater need for medical services, which in turn is exacerbating the shortage of healthcare workers, including primary care physicians and specialists. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, where the distribution of physicians and Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) is uneven, leading to staffing shortages.