Looking for freelance or contract work as a cardiologist in Texas? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Texas offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
As an expert witness, a cardiologist reviews medical records, provides opinions on standard of care in cardiac cases, and testifies in legal proceedings related to malpractice or injury claims. Work involves preparing reports and depositions on topics like interventional procedures or heart conditions. This freelance role draws on clinical expertise for court or arbitration settings.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Texas notes: No geographic variation; TX tort reform may moderate volume vs. other states; Trial testimony $500-700/hr; Deposition $375-550/hr; Chart review $275-450/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Healthcare consulting for cardiologists includes advising hospitals, pharma companies, or insurers on cardiac program development, quality improvement, or device implementation. Tasks involve strategic planning, protocol reviews, and training on cardiology best practices. Freelance advisory roles focus on leveraging expertise for non-clinical projects in Texas healthcare.
Malpractice Insurance: No
Texas notes: Houston/Dallas medical device corridor drives demand; no state income tax; Pharma advisory boards $400-550/hr; Expert networks $300-450/hr; Device consulting $250-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Locum tenens or per diem work for a cardiologist involves providing temporary coverage at hospitals or clinics in Texas, often covering call shifts, inpatient rounding, ED/ACC consults, and performing cath lab procedures like STEMI call[1][2]. Assignments are typically short-term, such as weekends or specific dates, with support from on-site staff[1]. This freelance role offers flexibility for ongoing or one-off coverage needs.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
Texas notes: Rural TX +25-30% premium; Dallas/Houston/San Antonio metro average; no state income tax boosts effective rate; Interventional/EP $298-420/hr; General/Non-invasive $220-280/hr; Invasive $260-340/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 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
Texas 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.
As Principal Investigator (PI) or Sub-Investigator (Sub-I), cardiologists oversee clinical trials for cardiac drugs, devices, or therapies, managing patient enrollment, data collection, and regulatory compliance. In Texas, this freelance work involves site-based monitoring of trial protocols at research centers. It combines clinical skills with research to advance cardiology treatments.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($10,000-$20,000/year)
Texas notes: Houston Texas Medical Center hub for trials; Dallas/San Antonio growing research markets; Cardiology PI (industry-sponsored) $250-350/hr FMV; Sub-investigator $150-250/hr; Advisory/steering committee $300-500/hr
Typical start timeline: 8-12 weeks
Telemedicine work allows cardiologists to conduct remote consultations, follow-ups, and virtual assessments for cardiac patients via video or phone, reducing the need for in-person visits. In Texas, this involves reviewing patient histories, interpreting tests like EKGs, and providing advice on management plans. It supports freelance schedules while leveraging expertise in non-emergent cardiology care.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
Texas notes: No geographic variation (remote); TX no income tax advantage for telehealth contractors; Remote cardiac imaging reads $150-225/hr; Virtual consults $100-180/hr; RPM oversight $120-170/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for cardiologists in Texas?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($275-$600/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($200-$550/hr), Locum Tenens / Per Diem ($220-$420/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for cardiologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($275-$600/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($200-$550/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can cardiologists work remotely in Texas?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($275-$600/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($200-$550/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($150-$415/hr), Clinical Research (PI/Sub-I) ($150-$350/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($100-$225/hr).
Q: What Texas license do cardiologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Texas license from Texas 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 2-6 weeks, while Locum Tenens / Per Diem typically takes 2-6 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 Texas 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
