Best Locum Tenens Agencies for Anesthesia Providers in 2026

Quick Facts

• The top locum tenens agencies for anesthesia include LocumTenens.com, Aya Locums, CompHealth, AMN Healthcare, and several more
• Look for agencies offering occurrence-based malpractice insurance, transparent pay, and dedicated anesthesia recruiters
• Signing up with 2–4 agencies maximizes your assignment options without overwhelming you
• The best agency for you depends on your role (CRNA vs. anesthesiologist), preferred geography, and career goals
• Locum CRNA rates: $200–$325+/hr (Locums.one, 2026; Aya Locums, LocumTenens.com, 2026 job listings) | Locum anesthesiologist rates: $300–$450+/hr (CompHealth/Locumstory, 2025–2026; Marit Health avg $375/hr, 2026)
• For comparison: Permanent CRNA median $223,210 (BLS, 2024), advertised avg $260,000 (ZipRecruiter, 2026) | Permanent anesthesiologist mean base $336,640 (BLS, 2024), median total comp $535,000 (SalaryDr, 2026)

Choosing the right staffing agency is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a locum tenens anesthesia provider. The agency you partner with determines which assignments you see, how quickly you get credentialed, how much you earn, and the quality of support you receive throughout every contract. With dozens of agencies competing for your attention, it helps to know which ones truly deliver for CRNAs and anesthesiologists.

This guide ranks and reviews the best locum tenens agencies for anesthesia providers in 2026, based on anesthesia specialization, pay transparency, credentialing efficiency, assignment variety, provider support, and industry reputation.

How We Evaluated These Agencies

📊 Salary Data Sources & Freshness This guide cites data from multiple sources: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, May 2024 — latest government data), ZipRecruiter (2026 advertised salaries), Glassdoor, AMN Healthcare, SalaryDr, and other industry reports. Government salary surveys have a 12–18 month reporting lag. Current advertised salaries on job boards typically reflect real-time market conditions and may be higher. Anesthesia provider compensation has risen steadily over the past five years.

Before diving into the reviews, here's what we considered:

• Anesthesia specialization — Does the agency have a dedicated anesthesia or CRNA division?
• Pay transparency — Are rates communicated clearly, and do providers feel fairly compensated?
• Credentialing speed — How quickly can you go from sign-up to your first shift?
• Assignment volume & variety — Does the agency offer enough assignments to keep you working year-round?
• Provider support — Are recruiters responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely advocating for you?
• Malpractice coverage — Does the agency provide occurrence-based malpractice insurance?
• Technology & ease of use — Is the platform modern, and is documentation submission streamlined?
• Reputation — What do providers say in surveys and professional communities?

Agency Comparison Table

Ratings reflect anesthesia-specific strength and are based on industry reputation, provider feedback, and publicly available data.

Detailed Agency Reviews

1. LocumTenens.com

Overview: LocumTenens.com is the largest online locum tenens staffing platform in the country and a subsidiary of Jackson Healthcare. With a dedicated anesthesia division that serves both CRNAs and anesthesiologists, it consistently ranks among the most-used agencies in the specialty.

What makes them stand out:

• Massive assignment database — more anesthesia-specific listings than virtually any competitor
• Dedicated anesthesia recruiters who understand the nuances of CRNA and anesthesiologist placements
• Transparent communication about rates and facility details
• Nationwide coverage — assignments in all 50 states
• Robust credentialing team that streamlines the hospital privileging process

Best for: CRNAs and anesthesiologists who want access to the widest selection of assignments across every geographic region and practice setting.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided at no cost.

2. Aya Locums

Overview: Aya Locums is the locum tenens division of Aya Healthcare, one of the fastest-growing healthcare staffing companies in the nation. Their tech-forward platform and aggressive expansion into the anesthesia space have made them a top choice for providers who value efficiency and modern tools.

What makes them stand out:

• Technology-driven experience — intuitive digital platform for browsing assignments, submitting documents, and tracking credentialing progress
• Speed — known for rapid onboarding and fast time-to-first-shift
• Excellent CRNA placements — strong focus on nurse anesthetist assignments
• Competitive pay — transparent rate discussions with recruiters
• Growing facility network — rapid expansion means new assignments added frequently

Best for: First-time locum CRNAs and tech-savvy providers who want a seamless digital experience. Also excellent for experienced providers who value quick turnaround.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

3. CompHealth

Overview: A division of CHG Healthcare — one of the largest healthcare staffing companies in the world — CompHealth has been placing physicians and advanced practice providers for over 40 years. Their anesthesia division is well-established, with deep relationships across hospital systems nationwide.

What makes them stand out:

• Legacy and trust — four decades of healthcare staffing experience
• Deep hospital relationships — access to exclusive assignments not listed on other platforms
• Full-service support — travel, housing, licensing assistance, and credentialing handled comprehensively
• Strong in both permanent and locum — if you're exploring a transition from locum to permanent (or vice versa), they cover both
• Dedicated anesthesia team with clinical understanding of the specialty

Best for: Providers who value a full-service agency with established hospital relationships and want an agency that can support both locum and permanent career paths. Great for anesthesiologists exploring the job market.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

4. AMN Healthcare

Overview: AMN Healthcare is the largest healthcare staffing company in the United States, publicly traded on the NYSE. Their physician and advanced practice division offers extensive anesthesia placements through a massive network of healthcare facilities.

What makes them stand out:

• Unmatched facility network — partnerships with major health systems, academic centers, VA hospitals, and community hospitals
• Volume — consistently high number of open anesthesia assignments
• Data-driven approach — market insights and salary benchmarking available to providers
• Financial stability — as a publicly traded company, AMN offers reliable infrastructure and resources
• Comprehensive support — housing, travel, licensing, and credentialing services

Best for: Anesthesiologists and CRNAs who want access to a massive, nationwide network — particularly useful for finding assignments at large academic centers and prestigious health systems.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

5. Weatherby Healthcare

Overview: Another CHG Healthcare company, Weatherby Healthcare positions itself as the premium locum tenens experience. They emphasize high-touch, personalized service and tend to attract higher-acuity, better-compensated assignments.

What makes them stand out:

• Premium positioning — focused on quality over quantity, with carefully vetted assignments
• High-touch recruiter model — low provider-to-recruiter ratios mean more personalized attention
• Competitive compensation — premium assignments often come with premium rates
• Fast credentialing — priority processing for qualified providers
• Physician-focused — particularly strong for anesthesiologist placements

Best for: Experienced anesthesiologists seeking premium assignments with top-tier compensation and personalized service. Also excellent for providers who want a boutique-style experience from a large, stable parent company.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

6. Staff Care

Overview: Staff Care operates as AMN Healthcare's physician staffing brand and has been a major force in locum tenens placement for decades. Their hospital relationships and scale make them a consistent source of anesthesia assignments.

What makes them stand out:

• Hospital partnership depth — long-standing relationships with health systems across the country
• Reliable assignment flow — consistent volume of opportunities for CRNAs and anesthesiologists
• Integrated with AMN's broader ecosystem — access to AMN's full technology platform and support services
• Strong in mid-sized and community hospitals — excellent for providers who enjoy bread-and-butter cases

Best for: CRNAs and anesthesiologists who want reliable, consistent assignments — particularly at community and regional hospitals. Ideal if you prefer to work with an agency backed by AMN's infrastructure.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

7. Jackson + Coker

Overview: A sibling company to LocumTenens.com under the Jackson Healthcare umbrella, Jackson + Coker is a well-established staffing firm with a strong physician focus. They have decades of experience placing anesthesiologists in both locum and permanent roles.

What makes them stand out:

• Physician-centric reputation — long track record specifically in physician placement
• Strong anesthesiologist focus — their physician division understands the specialty deeply
• Career consultation — goes beyond staffing to offer career guidance and market insights
• Reliable contracts — known for well-structured, clear agreements
• National reach — assignments coast to coast

Best for: Anesthesiologists who want a physician-focused agency with a long-standing reputation for reliability and career partnership.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

8. Barton Associates

Overview: Barton Associates is a staffing firm headquartered in the Northeast with a strong regional presence. While they operate nationally, their deepest relationships and highest assignment volumes are concentrated in the northeastern United States.

What makes them stand out:

• Northeast expertise — if you want to work in New England, New York, or the Mid-Atlantic, Barton has unmatched regional knowledge
• Fast credentialing — efficient processes to get you working quickly
• Strong CRNA placements — dedicated CRNA division with understanding of state-specific scope of practice
• Responsive recruiters — known for quick communication and follow-through
• Growing national presence — expanding beyond their NE base

Best for: CRNAs and anesthesiologists seeking assignments in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Also a strong choice for providers who value fast onboarding and responsive communication.

Malpractice: Occurrence-based coverage provided.

9. Maxim Healthcare

Overview: Maxim Healthcare is a broad-spectrum staffing company with a presence in physician and advanced practice locum tenens placements. While not exclusively focused on anesthesia, their wide facility network creates opportunities across the country.

What makes them stand out:

• Broad staffing capabilities — placements across many specialties and care settings
• Nationwide facility relationships — access to hospitals and ASCs in diverse markets
• Flexible assignment types — short-term, long-term, and per diem options
• Support infrastructure — credentialing, housing, and travel assistance

Best for: Providers who want to explore diverse opportunities beyond anesthesia-only agencies, or who are looking for assignments in markets underserved by anesthesia-specialty firms.

Malpractice: Coverage provided — confirm policy type with your recruiter.

10. LocumJobsOnline (Aggregator)

Overview: LocumJobsOnline isn't a staffing agency — it's a job aggregator that compiles locum tenens listings from multiple agencies in one searchable platform. Think of it as a search engine for locum assignments.

What makes it stand out:

• One-stop comparison shopping — see listings from dozens of agencies side by side
• Time-saving — instead of checking 10 agency websites, search one
• Filter by specialty — easily narrow results to anesthesia-specific assignments
• Free to use — no cost to providers

Best for: Any anesthesia provider who wants a bird's-eye view of the locum market before committing to specific agencies. Excellent as a research tool for comparing rates and assignment availability across agencies.

How to Choose the Right Agency for You

With all these strong options, how do you narrow it down? Consider these factors:

For CRNAs

• Prioritize agencies with dedicated CRNA divisions — LocumTenens.com, Aya Locums, and CompHealth stand out
• Verify the agency understands CRNA scope of practice variations by state
• Ask about travel CRNA-specific packages if you prefer longer assignments with housing stipends
• Review our comprehensive locum tenens guide for CRNAs for more context on what to expect

For Anesthesiologists

• Focus on agencies with strong physician placement track records — CompHealth, Weatherby, Jackson + Coker, and AMN Healthcare excel here
• Discuss your specific goals: full-time locum, supplemental income, or semi-retirement options
• Evaluate malpractice coverage carefully — occurrence-based is the gold standard
• Check out anesthesiologist salary benchmarks to ensure rates are competitive

For Everyone

• Start with 2–4 agencies — this gives you broad market access without recruiter overload
• Compare your first offers — different agencies may offer very different rates for similar assignments
• Evaluate recruiter quality early — a responsive, transparent recruiter is worth more than the biggest agency name
• Check credentialing timelines — ask for specific estimates and hold agencies accountable
• Read the contract — understand cancellation policies, guaranteed hours, overtime rates, and expense reimbursement terms

Criteria for Evaluating Any Agency

Use this checklist when evaluating agencies not covered in this guide:

• Anesthesia specialization — dedicated anesthesia/CRNA division or team?
• Pay transparency — will they share bill rates or at least discuss compensation openly?
• Malpractice insurance — occurrence-based policy provided at no cost?
• Credentialing support — dedicated credentialing team with clear timelines?
• Assignment variety — sufficient volume in your preferred geography and setting?
• Housing & travel — arrangements provided or competitive stipends offered?
• Licensing assistance — help with state licensure applications and reimbursement?
• Recruiter responsiveness — do they return calls/emails within 24 hours?
• Contract clarity — clear terms for cancellation, guaranteed minimums, and overtime?
• Provider reviews — positive feedback from other anesthesia providers?

Maximizing Your Agency Relationships

Once you've chosen your agencies, here's how to get the most out of the partnership:

• Be upfront about your preferences — geography, schedule, case types, deal-breakers
• Keep your credentialing file current — reduces downtime between assignments
• Communicate proactively — let your recruiter know your availability 4–8 weeks in advance
• Provide feedback after assignments — agencies that hear your input can find better matches
• Negotiate respectfully — rates have ranges, and agencies often have flexibility, especially for high-demand specialties and in-demand dates
• Build relationships with multiple recruiters — even within the same agency, different recruiters may have access to different assignments

For tips on negotiating your compensation packages, read our CRNA contract negotiation guide.

Find Your Next Anesthesia Assignment

The right agency partner can transform your locum tenens experience from good to exceptional. Whether you're a CRNA exploring your first travel assignment or an anesthesiologist transitioning to semi-retirement locum work, the agencies listed here represent the best the industry has to offer in 2026.

Browse CRNA Jobs on AnesthesiaJobs.com → | Browse Anesthesiologist Jobs →

Ready to see what's available? Sign up for job alerts and get matched with top locum and permanent opportunities across the country.

Related Reading

• Locum Tenens Guide for CRNAs: Pay, Lifestyle & How to Start
• Locum Tenens for Anesthesiologists: Complete Guide
• Travel CRNA Jobs: Pay, Agencies & Assignments Guide
• CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist: Roles, Education & Career Paths Compared

Frequently Asked Questions

How many locum tenens agencies should I sign up with?

Most anesthesia providers find that 2–4 agencies provide the best balance. This gives you broad access to the market — since each agency has exclusive contracts with certain facilities — without overwhelming you with recruiter calls. Start with 2, evaluate the experience, and add more if you want greater assignment variety.

Do locum tenens agencies charge CRNAs or anesthesiologists a fee?

No — reputable locum tenens agencies never charge providers a fee. Agencies earn their revenue from the facilities that hire you, not from you. If any agency asks you to pay for placement services, consider that a significant red flag.

Which agency pays the highest rates for anesthesia providers?

Rates vary by assignment, location, urgency, and provider specialty — no single agency consistently pays the highest across the board. Weatherby Healthcare tends to focus on premium assignments, but LocumTenens.com, CompHealth, and Aya Locums all offer competitive rates. The best strategy is to compare offers from multiple agencies for similar assignments before making a decision.

Do agencies provide malpractice insurance for locum providers?

Yes — all of the top agencies reviewed in this guide provide occurrence-based malpractice insurance at no cost to the provider. Occurrence-based policies are preferred because they cover incidents during the policy period regardless of when a claim is filed, which is ideal for providers who move between assignments frequently. Always verify policy type and coverage limits before accepting a contract.

How long does it take to start working after signing with an agency?

From initial sign-up to your first shift, expect 30–90 days for the credentialing and hospital privileging process. Some agencies — particularly Aya Locums and Barton Associates — are known for faster turnaround. You can accelerate the process by having all your credentialing documents organized and readily available before you sign up. Subsequent assignments credential faster once your initial file is established.