Looking for freelance or contract work as a oncologist in New York? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, New York offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Oncologists advise pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, or policy groups on drug development, treatment guidelines, or oncology service optimization. Participation in advisory boards involves meetings to discuss emerging therapies and clinical strategies. Consulting may include strategy development for cancer programs.
Malpractice Insurance: No
New York notes: NYC premium for in-person advisory boards; proximity to pharma HQs drives high demand for oncology KOLs; Pharma advisory boards $400-$700/hr; Expert networks $300-$499/hr; NYC is global pharma HQ hub (Pfizer, Bristol-Myers Squibb)
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Oncologists review medical records, prepare reports, and testify in legal cases involving cancer misdiagnosis, treatment errors, or malpractice claims. Work involves analyzing complex oncology cases and providing expert opinions on standard of care. Assignments are project-based, often for attorneys or insurance firms.
Malpractice Insurance: No
New York notes: NYC has highest concentration of medical malpractice litigation; NY experts command ~10% premium over national avg; NYC oncology experts command top-tier rates; Case review $400-$500/hr; Deposition $475-$600/hr; Trial testimony $500-$650/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Oncologists provide temporary coverage in hospitals or clinics, managing patient consultations, chemotherapy oversight, and treatment planning. Assignments typically last days to months, filling staffing gaps in oncology departments. In New York, roles often involve outpatient or infusion settings with day shifts.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
New York notes: NYC metro +10-20% premium; Upstate rural areas (Coudersport-adjacent, Finger Lakes) offer competitive rates to attract coverage; Academic NYC settings (Memorial Sloan Kettering area) at top range; Hematology-Oncology $375-$500/hr; Radiation Oncology $225-$300/hr; NYC metro premium pushes Hem/Onc to $450-$550/hr; Rural upstate $375-$475/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire oncologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves oncology treatment protocol and imaging ai training — tasks like treatment protocol review, tumor measurement, clinical trial matching.
Malpractice Insurance: No
New York 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 oncologist AI training projects.
Oncologists review patient charts for insurance pre-authorizations, treatment necessity, and compliance with guidelines. Work involves assessing chemotherapy regimens, appeals, and quality assurance for payers or hospitals. Assignments are case-based, focusing on cost-effectiveness and evidence-based care.
Malpractice Insurance: No
New York notes: Fully remote; Optum/UnitedHealth lists NYC as location for oncology UM Medical Director roles; UM Medical Director (Oncology) $130-$175/hr; Peer-to-peer reviews $150-$300/hr; Optum Rad Onc UM Director ~$115-$172/hr FT equivalent
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Oncologists conduct virtual consultations for patient follow-ups, second opinions, treatment planning, and symptom management via video platforms. Work supports remote monitoring of cancer patients, prescription management, and coordination with local providers. New York-licensed oncologists can serve patients statewide.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($5,000-$15,000/year)
New York notes: No geographic variation for remote work; NY licensing required; high demand in upstate underserved areas; Oncology specialist telehealth $150-$280/hr; General telemedicine physician avg $115/hr nationally; NY premium ~5-10%
Typical start timeline: 2-8 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for oncologists in New York?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($300-$700/hr), Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($400-$650/hr), Locum Tenens / Per Diem ($300-$550/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for oncologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 4 options don't require malpractice insurance: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($300-$700/hr), Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($400-$650/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($200-$425/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($130-$300/hr). This can save $25-$60K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can oncologists work remotely in New York?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($300-$700/hr), Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($400-$650/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($200-$425/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($130-$300/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($150-$280/hr).
Q: What New York license do oncologists need for freelance work?
A: An active New York license from New York State Education Department Office of the Professions is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can oncologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 2-6 weeks, while Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 1-4 weeks, while Locum Tenens / Per Diem typically takes 4-12 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for oncologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $200-$425/hour for oncologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects New York oncologists 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): Treatment protocol review, tumor measurement, clinical trial matching
Most oncologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
