2026 best locum tenens agencies compared: How top staffing firms stack up for physicians

If you’re exploring locum tenens work in 2026, one question tends to come up quickly: Which locum tenens agency should I work with?

It’s a fair question. While many locum tenens companies help physicians and advanced practice providers find temporary assignments, not all agencies deliver the same experience. Recruiter quality, licensing support, travel coordination, communication, specialty expertise, and job variety can vary widely. Choosing the right agency can influence everything from how smoothly your credentialing goes to whether an assignment fits your schedule, goals, and lifestyle.

CHG Healthcare’s 2025 Locum Tenens Awareness and Perception (LTAP) survey examined how physicians rank agencies across categories such as reputation, likelihood to work with an agency, and service strengths based on their personal experiences. Here’s how the top locum tenens companies compare in 2026, and what to look for when choosing the best fit for your career.

Popular locum tenens agencies in 2026

When physicians think of locum tenens staffing agencies, a few names consistently rise to the top. According to the 2025 survey, Weatherby Healthcare ranked among the most recognized agencies, alongside other established firms such as CompHealth.

Newer or niche agencies may still be a good fit for some clinicians, particularly if they specialize in a certain geography or specialty. But for many providers, scale and experience remain meaningful differentiators.

For clinicians new to locums, a well-established company may offer advantages such as:

• Larger job networks across multiple states

• More specialty-specific recruiters

• Stronger credentialing and licensing resources

• Better travel and housing infrastructure

• A deeper track record with hospitals and health systems

Work with the best: Top locum tenens agencies in 2026

Reputation matters among locum tenens agencies

A locum staffing agency’s reputation typically reflects the quality of assignments, reliability of placements, and overall job satisfaction, ensuring a stable and positive working experience. The LTAP survey found that Weatherby ranked among the top three in overall positive impression among physicians.

Dr. Julie Long, a pediatric surgeon who works locums, says Weatherby’s reputation played a major role in her decision to work with a locum tenens agency.

Weatherby has a great reputation. I can’t imagine not having a high level of trust in the person and organization you’re working with.

— Dr. Julie Long, pediatric surgeon

“It’s such a dramatic change from working at one practice, and if you don’t trust the person you’re working with, and they don’t have experience, it could quickly get very chaotic. I think that’s essential," says Long.

That sentiment is common among experienced locum clinicians. If an agency consistently communicates well, pays accurately, resolves issues quickly, and places physicians in quality assignments, word tends to spread.

When comparing the best locum tenens companies, ask around. Physician referrals and peer feedback can be just as valuable as online reviews. And remember: Reputation often reflects recruiter relationships, support services, and reliability.

Refer a friend: Learn about the Weatherby referral program

Service strengths: How physicians ranked locum agencies

Physicians rated locum tenens agencies across categories such as recruiter effectiveness, credentialing and licensing support, travel and housing support, quality and availability of job opportunities, industry reputation, and level of technology support.

Among its competitors, Weatherby stood out for its strong logistical support, brand trust, and job quality. While several firms performed well, advantages varied by company. Here’s a closer look at each agency’s top three strengths:

What to look for when choosing a locum tenens agency

Recruiter quality

The best recruiters do more than fill jobs. Many physicians assume locum tenens is mostly about open positions. In reality, recruiter quality may be the single biggest factor shaping your experience.

A strong recruiter should understand your specialty, know current market demand, advocate for your compensation, help navigate licensing, and protect your time by bringing you relevant opportunities.

The 2025 LTAP survey emphasized service categories like recruiter expertise, personalized treatment, and support services. Weatherby performed especially well in the areas driven by relationships.

Dr. Joan Pellegrini, a general surgeon who pursued locum tenens, explained why trust matters.

I think what really made me connect with my recruiter right away is his honesty. I really developed trust in him because he had been doing this for so long that he knew what was needed.

— Dr. Joan Pellegrini, general surgeon

Dr. Long echoed Dr. Pellegrini’s perspective. “I don’t think it was my recruiter who convinced me to do locums, but she convinced me I wanted to do locums with Weatherby.”

Work with an expert: How well-trained is your Weatherby Healthcare consultant?

Licensing and credentialing support

Many physicians underestimate the amount of administrative work involved in locum assignments. State licensing, credentialing, hospital privileges, onboarding documents, references, and compliance tasks can quickly become overwhelming.

The best locums companies invest heavily in back-end support so physicians can focus on patient care instead of paperwork.

This is one area where larger agencies often have an advantage. Dedicated credentialing teams, state licensing experience, and established hospital relationships can shorten timelines and reduce friction. For busy physicians, reliability like that is not a minor perk. It can determine whether an assignment happens at all.

Dr. Pellegrini described a licensing promise that her Weatherby consultant made to her: “He promised me if my paperwork was in by a certain date, he would have my license prepared in time. He came through.”

Details matter: 8 things to know about locum tenens credentialing

Travel and housing support

Even with the growth of regional and local locums work, many assignments still require flights, rental cars, hotels, furnished housing, or weekly travel.

That means operational support is critical. If travel is disorganized, reimbursements are messy, or accommodations are poor, the assignment becomes harder than it needs to be. For physicians comparing top locum tenens companies, don’t just ask about jobs. Ask how travel is handled when flights are canceled, schedules shift, or housing isn’t as expected.

The LTAP survey listed travel and housing support among the top service categories physicians value most, and Weatherby scored strongly there.

Dr. Anthony Nunez, a cardiothoracic surgeon, described the difference smooth logistics can make: “Weatherby has been very responsive to my needs personally. All of my travel arrangements have been excellent. It’s been a very solid experience.”

Understand accommodation: How locum tenens housing works

Why physicians are choosing locum tenens work

While the higher pay that locum tenens jobs offer often gets attention, flexibility remains one of the strongest long-term drivers of physicians’ satisfaction in these roles.

Physicians use locum tenens for many reasons beyond filling income gaps. For some, it is a way to reduce burnout by gaining more control over workload and schedule. Others use locums to transition between roles, explore new areas before committing to a move, or phase into retirement gradually.

Many physicians also take assignments to increase income selectively, protect family time by choosing when and where they work, maintain clinical skills while relocating, or build a custom schedule that better fits their personal and professional priorities.

That perspective is increasingly relevant in 2026, especially as younger physicians place greater emphasis on work-life balance and older physicians seek more control over their schedules later in their careers.

The range of experiences and motivations helps explain why locums continues to grow in popularity.

Dr. Jim Mock, an emergency medicine physician, pushed back on the idea that locums is unstable. “That’s completely false; it’s as steady as you want it to be. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid, but if you want to work, you don’t have any trouble finding employment.”

Dr. Pellegrini framed the value even more directly: “The biggest benefit of working locums is having control over your own life.”

Learn the truth: The pros and cons of locum tenens

So, which is the best locum tenens company?

There is no universal answer. Different agencies may be best depending on your specialty, geography, desired schedule, and personality fit with recruiters. Some physicians prioritize maximum pay. Others want local assignments, travel simplicity, or a long-term recruiter relationship.

That said, the 2025 LTAP survey results suggest several consistent markers of a strong agency:

• Trusted brand reputation

• High physician willingness to work with them again

• Strong recruiter relationships

• Licensing and credentialing support

• Reliable travel and housing coordination

• Breadth of available opportunities

Across those measures and more, Weatherby Healthcare remains one of the strongest performing agencies in the market.

Why physicians choose Weatherby Healthcare

Weatherby has helped physicians find flexible locum opportunities for more than 30 years and offers assignments across a broad range of specialties and locations.

What stands out most from both survey data and physician interviews is the agency’s consistency.

“Weatherby has a really good team. Everything works so smoothly. I’ve never had an issue. The preparation is always good, no surprises,” says Dr. Edward Babigumira, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician who works locum tenens.

The Weatherby Way: How Weatherby goes above and beyond for their physicians

Why not give Weatherby Healthcare a try?

The locum tenens industry continues to expand in 2026 as physician shortages persist, burnout remains real, and more clinicians seek flexible career options.

When comparing the best locum tenens agencies, don’t focus only on pay rates. Look at the full experience:

• Who advocates for you

• Who respects your time

• Who solves problems quickly

• Who makes credentialing easier

• Who brings opportunities aligned with your goals

A majority of physicians surveyed said Weatherby Healthcare was one of the top locum tenens agencies, giving it high marks for great service that enhances their locum tenens experience.

We’ll take care of you, too. If you’re exploring locum tenens work in 2026, give us a call at 954.343.3050 to experience the Weatherby difference for yourself.

*CHG Healthcare is the parent company of CompHealth and Weatherby Healthcare.