Compare high-paying freelance options for Ohio emergency medicines: locums, telemedicine, AI training, consulting. Real pay ranges, requirements, and how to start.

TL;DR

Looking for freelance or contract work as a emergency medicine in Ohio? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Ohio offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal

$350-$700/hr

What You'll Do

Expert witness work requires Emergency Medicine physicians to review cases, provide unbiased opinions on standard of care in ER settings, and testify in malpractice suits or legal proceedings in Ohio courts. Assignments involve report writing, depositions, and trial testimony on topics like trauma management or misdiagnosis. It's consultative, focusing on legal analysis rather than patient care.

Requirements

  • Active or recent Ohio medical license
  • Board certification in Emergency Medicine
  • 5+ years clinical EM experience
  • Prior expert witness training preferred

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • SEAK

Ohio notes: Columbus/Cleveland litigation markets; Moderate volume; Trial testimony $500-$700/hr; Deposition $350-$525/hr; Record review $250-$400/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

2.

Healthcare Consulting / Advisory

$175-$400/hr

What You'll Do

Healthcare consulting for Emergency Medicine experts involves advising hospitals, insurers, or firms on ER operations, protocol development, quality improvement, and compliance in Ohio facilities. Work includes site audits, policy recommendations, and training on high-risk procedures. It's project-based, leveraging clinical expertise for strategic improvements.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification in Emergency Medicine
  • 5+ years EM leadership experience
  • Consulting or administrative background

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • GLG, AlphaSights, Guidepoint, PhysicianSideGigs

Ohio notes: Cleveland/Columbus health system consulting demand; Lower COL = slightly lower rates; Expert networks $175-$350/hr; Pharma advisory $275-$400/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

3.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$185-$340/hr

What You'll Do

Locum tenens or per diem work for Emergency Medicine physicians in Ohio involves providing temporary coverage in hospital emergency departments, handling acute patient cases, shifts, and high-volume care during staffing shortages. Assignments can range from short per diem shifts to longer locums contracts, often in rural or urban facilities needing immediate help. Physicians manage resuscitations, traumas, and diagnostics independently or with teams.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification in Emergency Medicine
  • ATLS, PALS, ACLS, BLS certifications
  • Minimum 2-3 years EM experience
  • Clean malpractice history

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • CompHealth

Ohio notes: Cleveland/Columbus/Cincinnati metro avg rate; Rural Appalachian OH +25-35% premium; Critical Care $260-$340/hr; General EM $185-$275/hr; Pediatric EM $230-$310/hr
Typical start timeline: 6-12 weeks

4.

AI Training & Annotation

$125-$315/hr

What You'll Do

Healthcare AI companies hire emergency medicine professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves emergency clinical scenario training data — tasks like triage algorithm training, clinical decision support, trauma assessment.

Requirements

  • Active clinical background in emergency medicine
  • No malpractice insurance needed
  • Computer with reliable internet

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Folio (folioworks.com)
  • Centaur Labs
  • Appen
  • Labelbox

Ohio 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 emergency medicine AI training projects.

5.

Telemedicine / Telehealth

$115-$180/hr

What You'll Do

Telemedicine in Emergency Medicine entails remote consultations for urgent care triage, virtual assessments, and advice on emergencies via video or phone from Ohio or cross-state platforms. Physicians review symptoms, order tests, and coordinate transfers without physical presence. It's ideal for overflow support or after-hours coverage in ER networks.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license
  • Board certification in Emergency Medicine
  • Telemedicine platform training
  • Reliable high-speed internet and equipment
  • 1+ years EM experience

Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)

Where to Find Work

  • ZipRecruiter, Indeed, DocCafe

Ohio notes: Lower COL reflected in rates; Strong Cleveland Clinic telehealth network; Night tele-EM $140-$180/hr; Daytime virtual $115-$150/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for emergency medicine physicians in Ohio?

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($350-$700/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$400/hr), Locum Tenens / Per Diem ($185-$340/hr).

Q: Which freelance options for emergency medicine physicians don't require malpractice insurance?

A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($350-$700/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$400/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$315/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.

Q: Can emergency medicine physicians work remotely in Ohio?

A: Yes, 4 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($350-$700/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($175-$400/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$315/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($115-$180/hr).

Q: What Ohio license do emergency medicine physicians need for freelance work?

A: An active Ohio license from State Medical Board of Ohio is required for most clinical freelance options.

Q: How quickly can emergency medicine physicians start freelance work?

A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 1-4 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 4-8 weeks, while Locum Tenens / Per Diem typically takes 6-12 weeks.

Q: What's the pay range for emergency medicine physicians doing AI training work?

A: AI training pays $125-$315/hour for emergency medicine physicians, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.

Getting Started with AI Training

Folio connects Ohio emergency medicine physicians 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): Triage algorithm training, clinical decision support, trauma assessment

Most emergency medicine physicians start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.

Explore AI Training Opportunities

Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com

Explore Opportunities →

Frequently asked questions

How much can emergency medicine physicians earn freelancing in Ohio?
Do I need malpractice insurance for freelance emergency medicine work in Ohio?
Can I do freelance work while employed full-time as a emergency medicine?
What is AI training for emergency medicine physicians, and how does it work?
How do I get started with freelance emergency medicine work in Ohio?
How do I get started with freelance emergency medicine work in Ohio?