The world of locum pharmacists has seen some interesting times post-coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has led to an increase in demand for healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists. As a result, the average weekday locum rate for a pharmacist in March of 2023 has been estimated to be $72.50. This is a significant increase from the September 2022 rate, which saw locums commanding high asking rates.
The situation has been so dire that some pharmacies have had to refuse offers due to the high asking price. Unfortunately, some locums have taken advantage of the situation by taking, canceling, and switching shifts in pursuit of higher wages. While this may seem like a good idea in the short term, it may not fare well for the locum in the long run.
In previous years, the average rate of a placement during weekday and normal business hours (weekends and public holidays excluded, rounded to the nearest dollar) has been fluctuating. This is evident from the September month snapshot for the years 2015-2022. See chart 1 on the right. The trend seems to be on an upward trajectory, with the 2023 estimate being the highest so far.
The increase in the average weekday locum rate for a pharmacist can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, the demand for healthcare professionals, especially pharmacists, has increased due to the pandemic. This has led to a shortage of pharmacists, and as a result, locums are in high demand. Secondly, the stagnant wages for pharmacist employees have also played a role in driving up the locum rates. With few job opportunities and limited wage increases, many pharmacists are opting to work as locums to supplement their income.
So the average weekday locum rate for a pharmacist in March of 2023 being $72.50 is indicative of the current state of the healthcare industry. While the pandemic has played a significant role in driving up the demand for healthcare professionals, the historically stagnant wages for pharmacist employees have also contributed to the current increase in locum (and permanent) rates. However, it is important to note that taking advantage of the situation by constantly chasing higher wages as a locum may not be a sustainable long-term strategy.