Looking for freelance or contract work as a cardiologist in Georgia? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Georgia offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Expert witness roles involve reviewing cardiology-related medical records, providing impartial opinions on standard of care in legal cases involving heart conditions, malpractice claims, or personal injury. Cardiologists testify in depositions or trials, explaining complex cardiovascular procedures and outcomes to judges or juries. Work is project-based, often for law firms or insurance companies handling cases in Georgia courts.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Georgia notes: Fulton County (Atlanta) active med-mal jurisdiction; Trial testimony $450-625/hr; Deposition $350-500/hr; Record review $250-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Consulting involves advising healthcare organizations, pharma companies, or hospitals on cardiology service lines, protocol development, or quality improvement initiatives in Georgia. Cardiologists may review data, recommend equipment for cath labs, or guide policy on heart failure management. Assignments are often short-term projects focused on operational efficiency or compliance.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Georgia notes: Atlanta CDC proximity; growing health tech sector; Pharma advisory $325-475/hr; Expert networks $250-400/hr; Health system consulting $175-300/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-8 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire cardiologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves cardiology imaging and ecg interpretation ai training — tasks like ecg interpretation, echocardiogram annotation, arrhythmia detection.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Georgia notes: Fully remote — available regardless of state. Pay based on specialty expertise, not location.
Typical start timeline: 1-2 weeks
Getting started: Join the expert community and make a free profile on Folio to browse current cardiologist AI training projects.
Locum tenens or per diem work for a cardiologist involves temporarily filling in for absent physicians at hospitals or clinics in Georgia, performing consultations, diagnostic tests like echos and stress tests, and interventional procedures such as catheterizations and stent placements. Assignments are typically short-term, often under 60 days per CMS guidelines, providing coverage for vacations, staffing shortages, or expansions in facilities across cities like Atlanta, Savannah, and Vidalia. Cardiologists handle diverse patient cases in acute care hospitals, ensuring uninterrupted cardiovascular care.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Georgia notes: Atlanta metro average; rural GA +25-35% premium (significant shortage areas); Southeast ~25% of all locum openings; Interventional/EP $295-400/hr; General/Non-invasive $225-285/hr; Invasive $260-340/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
As Principal Investigator (PI) or Sub-Investigator (Sub-I), cardiologists oversee clinical trials for new cardiovascular drugs, devices, or therapies at Georgia research sites. Duties include patient recruitment, protocol adherence, data collection, and safety monitoring for studies on conditions like atrial fibrillation or heart failure. This role combines clinical practice with advancing medical research.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($10,000-$20,000/year)
Georgia notes: Emory/Atlanta research hub; rural trial sites may pay premium for enrollment; Cardiology PI $200-300/hr FMV; Sub-investigator $150-225/hr
Typical start timeline: 8-16 weeks
Telemedicine work allows cardiologists to conduct remote consultations, interpret diagnostic images like EKGs and echoes, and manage follow-up care for cardiovascular patients via video or phone. In Georgia, this supports patients in rural or underserved areas, reducing the need for in-person visits while addressing chronic conditions like hypertension or post-procedure monitoring. It offers a flexible alternative to traditional clinic-based practice.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
Georgia notes: No geographic variation (remote); large underserved rural areas create telehealth demand; Remote imaging reads $130-200/hr; Virtual consults $85-170/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for cardiologists in Georgia?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($250-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for cardiologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($250-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr). This can save $12-$28K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can cardiologists work remotely in Georgia?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($250-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr), Clinical Research (PI/Sub-I) ($150-$300/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($85-$200/hr).
Q: What Georgia license do cardiologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Georgia license from Georgia Composite Medical Board is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can cardiologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 1-4 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 2-8 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for cardiologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $150-$415/hour for cardiologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects Georgia cardiologists with frontier research labs and healthcare AI companies looking for clinical expertise. The platform vets AI companies for project quality, handles contracting and payment, and matches projects to your area of expertise.
Typical timeline:
- Application: 3 minutes
- Credential review: 2-3 business days
- Platform orientation: 1 hour
- First project: 3-7 days from application
Current project focus (February 2026): ECG interpretation, echocardiogram annotation, arrhythmia detection
Most cardiologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
