Before you sign the locums contract, run the numbers.
Upload your contract, check for red flags, compare the offer against W-2 income, estimate taxes and expenses, and see whether 1099 work actually makes sense.
Built for CRNAs, physicians, NPs, PAs, and other clinicians comparing staff work against 1099 or travel income.
Educational first-pass review only. Not legal, tax, or financial advice.
Tail coverage, cancellation symmetry, and net-45 payment terms are worth clarifying before signing.
About LocumsLab
LocumsLab is built for clinicians who want a cleaner way to compare staff work, travel work, and 1099 contracts. It does not replace a CPA or attorney. It helps you understand the numbers, the tradeoffs, and the contract questions before you get too far into a deal.
"What's in this contract that I should ask about?"
Upload the PDF for a first-pass review of malpractice, cancellation, payment timing, call requirements, and other terms that locums clinicians commonly notice too late.
"Will I actually make more?"
Locums rates can look great until you factor in unpaid weeks, health insurance, malpractice, licensing, travel gaps, and quarterly taxes.
"What should I set aside for taxes?"
Get a practical estimate of federal, state, and self-employment tax so you are not guessing after the money hits your account.
"Is an S-Corp worth the hassle?"
Sometimes yes. Sometimes the savings are not worth the payroll, bookkeeping, and tax filing complexity. The S-Corp Worth-It Check shows both sides at your income level.
The contract review and the math in one place.
LocumsLab is not trying to be your CPA or attorney. It gives you a cleaner first pass so your next conversation with a recruiter, spouse, CPA, or attorney is based on numbers and specifics instead of vibes.
PDF Contract Analyzer
Upload a locums contract and get a first-pass review of red-flag clauses, missing protections, payment terms, cancellation language, and questions to clarify before signing.
ProW-2 vs 1099 comparison
Compare take-home pay, taxes, benefits, retirement room, PTO, and contract risk side by side, including the break-even rate to beat your current W-2.
S-Corp Worth-It Check
See if you are earning enough for an S-Corp to be worth the hassle, including payroll, accounting, and filing costs against estimated self-employment tax savings.
Retirement planner
Estimate Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and W-2 plan differences using 2026 limits. The 2026 Solo 401(k) combined limit is $72,000, with new Roth catch-up rules for high earners.
Scenario comparison
Save offers and compare them side by side so you do not anchor on the highest hourly rate before seeing the net picture.
CPA worksheet PDF
Export your assumptions and estimates as a worksheet to walk through with a CPA, financial planner, or attorney without starting from scratch.
Not ready to build a full scenario?
Use Quick Start. It walks you through the basic W-2 vs 1099 comparison in a few minutes and shows what questions deserve a closer look.
Benchmarks help you negotiate without guessing.
Compare salary, malpractice ranges, CME allowances, and 2026 retirement contribution ceilings by profession. Use benchmarks as context, then verify the details for your specialty, state, and contract.
| Profession | BLS Median Salary | Malpractice/yr | CME Allowance | 2026 Max Retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitalist MD | $294,300 | $10,000–$30,000 | $3,000–$5,000 | $72,000 |
| CRNA | $214,500 | $3,000–$8,000 | $2,000–$4,000 | $72,000 |
| Emergency Medicine MD | $310,640 | $15,000–$50,000 | $3,000–$5,000 | $72,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,260 | $1,500–$4,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | $72,000 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,020 | $2,000–$5,000 | $1,500–$3,000 | $72,000 |
| Anesthesiologist MD | $331,190 | $20,000–$60,000 | $3,000–$6,000 | $72,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $500–$2,000 | $500–$1,500 | $24,500 |
More professions, tax burden comparisons, and retirement projections are included with Pro.
See full benchmarksSources for context: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, Medical Liability Monitor, MGMA survey references, and 2026 IRS retirement contribution limits (Solo 401(k) combined limit $72,000; employee deferral $24,500). Verify current figures before making tax or legal decisions.
The Locums Financial Roadmap
A plain-English starting point for clinicians thinking about 1099 work. It covers entity setup, taxes, malpractice, retirement accounts, and the kind of CPA you probably want before your first big contract.
- LLC and S-Corp setup basics
- Self-employment tax and deductions
- Malpractice: claims-made vs occurrence
- Solo 401(k) vs SEP-IRA in 2026
- How to find a CPA who understands 1099 healthcare work
What are clinicians actually being offered?
Submit an anonymous 1099 offer or current assignment rate. The more clinicians who share what they are seeing, the sooner the Locums Rate Report ships, and submitters get it first. Two minutes, no name required.
- State, setting, and shift length
- Hourly rate, call, malpractice, travel
- No login or employer name
- Be first to get the Locums Rate Report when it launches
Targeting late 2026 with enough verified submissions.
Review the numbers before you sign.
Use the free calculators for a quick estimate. Upgrade when you need the contract analyzer, S-Corp check, full benchmarks, and an exportable report.
For a quick first pass
Good for checking whether a locums offer deserves a closer look.
- All core calculators
- Save up to three scenarios
- Basic W-2 vs 1099 comparison
- Preview rate and expense benchmarks
For serious contract review
Built for locums clinicians actively reviewing an offer, comparing 1099 work, or deciding whether the numbers actually make sense.
- PDF Contract Analyzer — red flags, missing protections, payment terms, and questions to clarify before signing
- S-Corp Worth-It Check — see if you are earning enough for S-Corp to be worth the hassle
- W-2 vs 1099 break-even rate — the hourly rate you actually need to beat your W-2 after taxes, PTO, and benefits
- Full market benchmarks by profession, state, and setting
- CPA worksheet PDF for your next CPA or attorney conversation
- Unlimited saved scenarios and lifetime access
A few things worth clarifying.
What does the Contract Analyzer actually do?
You upload a locums contract PDF and the analyzer flags common red-flag clauses, missing protections (such as tail coverage), payment terms, cancellation language, and malpractice concerns. It also generates a list of questions to clarify with the recruiter or attorney before signing. It is an educational first-pass review, not legal advice.
How accurate are the calculations?
The calculations are meant for directional planning. They help you compare assumptions and spot major differences. Final tax, legal, entity, and contract decisions should be reviewed with a CPA or attorney.
Where does the benchmark data come from?
Salary benchmarks reference BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics. Malpractice and benefit ranges use industry survey references where available. Retirement limits reflect 2026 IRS figures. Community-reported rate data will expand as more clinicians submit anonymous rates. Treat benchmarks as context, not a guarantee for your market.
What is included in the S-Corp Worth-It Check?
It compares sole proprietor and S-Corp assumptions, including estimated self-employment tax savings, salary and distribution splits, payroll and admin cost, and whether the potential savings appear meaningful enough at your income level to discuss with a CPA.
Can I export my scenarios?
Yes. Pro users can export scenario and comparison reports as worksheet PDFs for a spouse, CPA, financial planner, or attorney.
Is this only for CRNAs?
No. It works for CRNAs, physicians, NPs, PAs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals comparing staff, travel, and locums work.
What if I have questions?
Email hello@locumslab.com. You should still use a qualified professional for tax, legal, or contract-specific advice.
Before you sign, run the math.
A better offer is not always the one with the bigger hourly rate. Compare the take-home pay, the structure, and the contract risk in one place.
Analyze a contract