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

TL;DR

Looking for freelance or contract work as a oncologist 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

$325-$550/hr

What You'll Do

Oncologists review medical records, provide expert opinions on cancer diagnosis and treatment standards, and testify in legal proceedings related to malpractice or personal injury cases. Work focuses on analyzing oncology cases for adherence to clinical guidelines and preparing detailed reports. Assignments are project-based, often involving court appearances or depositions.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio license
  • Board certification in Oncology
  • 5+ years clinical experience
  • Experience in medical-legal review preferred

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • SEAK 2024, PhysicianSideGigs

Ohio notes: Slightly below coastal rates; Cleveland Clinic and OSU-affiliated experts may command premium; Oncology case review $325-$450/hr; Deposition $450-$550/hr; Trial testimony $475-$575/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks

2.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$375-$500/hr

What You'll Do

Involves temporary coverage in outpatient oncology clinics, managing patient consultations, infusion oversight, and light call duties for hematology/oncology cases. Oncologists see an average of 16 adult patients per day in clinic settings with support from RNs and MAs, using systems like EPIC. Assignments are typically 2-3 months, often Monday-Friday with flexible weekly options and no weekends or holidays in some roles.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license or willing to obtain
  • Board Certified or Board Eligible in Hematology/Oncology
  • DEA required
  • EPIC experience preferred

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • CompHealth

Ohio notes: Midwest has highest demand concentration (31%); Rural OH facilities offer top-of-range rates; Cleveland/Columbus metro at standard Midwest rates; Hematology-Oncology $375-$500/hr; Radiation Oncology $225-$300/hr; Mansfield OH $425-$500/hr; JAMA Career Center $450/hr Marion OH
Typical start timeline: 1-6 weeks

3.

Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards

$250-$500/hr

What You'll Do

Provides strategic advice to pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, or advisory boards on oncology drug development, treatment protocols, and market access strategies. Involves participating in meetings, reviewing clinical data, and contributing to guideline development. Work supports decision-making in cancer care innovation and policy.

Requirements

  • Board certification in Oncology
  • Active Ohio license
  • 5-10+ years experience
  • Expertise in specific cancer types

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs

Ohio notes: Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State oncology programs produce consulting-eligible KOLs; less pharma HQ presence than coastal states; Pharma advisory boards $350-$500/hr; Expert networks $250-$499/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

4.

AI Training & Annotation

$200-$425/hr

What You'll Do

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.

Requirements

  • Active clinical background in oncologist
  • 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 oncologist AI training projects.

5.

Chart Review / Utilization Review

$125-$275/hr

What You'll Do

Reviews oncology patient charts for medical necessity, treatment appropriateness, and compliance with insurance guidelines or quality standards. Evaluates hematology/oncology cases to approve or deny services, ensuring evidence-based care. Work is desk-based, focusing on utilization management for payers or hospitals.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio license
  • Board certification in Oncology
  • 3+ years experience
  • Knowledge of utilization criteria

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Indeed

Ohio notes: Fully remote; OH license or IMLC accepted for most positions; UM Medical Director (Oncology) $125-$175/hr; Peer-to-peer reviews $150-$275/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

6.

Telemedicine / Telehealth

$130-$240/hr

What You'll Do

Conducts virtual consultations for oncology patients, including follow-ups, treatment planning, and second opinions via video platforms. Manages remote infusion oversight and benign/malignant hematology cases without inpatient responsibilities. Offers flexible scheduling for outpatient care in dedicated telehealth oncology services.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio license
  • Board certification in Hematology/Oncology
  • Telehealth platform experience
  • DEA required

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

Where to Find Work

  • ZipRecruiter

Ohio notes: No geographic variation for remote; OH licensing required; Oncology specialist telehealth $130-$240/hr; General telemedicine physician avg $115/hr nationally; Midwest rates slightly below coastal
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for oncologists in Ohio?

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($325-$550/hr), Locum Tenens / Per Diem ($375-$500/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$500/hr).

Q: Which freelance options for oncologists don't require malpractice insurance?

A: 4 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($325-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($200-$425/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($125-$275/hr).

Q: Can oncologists work remotely in Ohio?

A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($325-$550/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($250-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($200-$425/hr), Chart Review / Utilization Review ($125-$275/hr), Telemedicine / Telehealth ($130-$240/hr).

Q: What Ohio license do oncologists 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 oncologists start freelance work?

A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 2-4 weeks, while Locum Tenens / Per Diem typically takes 1-6 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 4-8 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.

Getting Started with AI Training

Folio connects Ohio 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.

Explore AI Training Opportunities

Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com

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Frequently asked questions

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How do I get started with freelance oncologist work in Ohio?