2026 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives
A projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036 has intensified competition for clinical talent, pushing salaries and incentive packages higher across nearly every specialty. Our 33rd annual Review gives your organization the benchmarks needed to recruit competitively while protecting your budget.
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Break free from single-vendor dependency in your locum tenens staffing. Download our strategic guide to regain control, reduce costs, and ensure patient care continuity. This resource provides a clear roadmap for transforming your locum tenens program from a state of complication to one of control.
The persistent shortage of healthcare providers has made recruiting increasingly competitive. Our 2025 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives report provides unparalleled insights to help your organization stay ahead.
Fragmented staffing strategies limit visibility and inflate operational costs. When organizations manage locums and permanent teams in silos, they often miss the true cost of labor and struggle with long-term planning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 2026 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives reveal?
Now in its 33rd year, the report benchmarks starting salaries and recruiting incentives across specialties, helping healthcare leaders assess compensation, recruiting costs, and workforce strategy amid a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036.
Which physician specialty commands the highest starting salary?
Gastroenterology leads with an average starting salary of $654,000, surpassing orthopedic surgery as the highest-paid specialty for new recruits.
How common are signing bonuses in physician recruiting?
Signing bonuses appear in 87% of search engagements and average $49,306, a 29% increase from the previous year.
Why does sustained demand for nurse practitioners matter to workforce planning?
Nurse practitioners have been the most requested provider type for six consecutive years, underscoring their critical role in healthcare workforce planning and provider mix strategy.
How can healthcare organizations reduce reliance on high-cost locum tenens staffing?
AMN Healthcare's Rebalancing Physician Staffing whitepaper explores strategies for reducing dependence on high-cost locum tenens physicians while building a more resilient, cost-effective staffing model suited to current market conditions.
How can healthcare leaders better manage permanent and locum tenens staffing together?
AMN Healthcare's One Physician Workforce Fully Optimized whitepaper examines how integrating permanent and locum tenens staffing can improve workforce visibility, reduce operational silos, and strengthen cost control.
How can locum tenens support academic health systems?
According to AMN Healthcare’s whitepaper, The Strategic Value of Locums in Academic Medicine, locum tenens physicians can help maintain clinical coverage while supporting long-term workforce planning and institutional goals.