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

TL;DR

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

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting

$325-$650/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists review medical records, autopsy findings, or case files to provide expert opinions in legal proceedings, depositions, or trials involving pathology-related disputes. Work involves preparing reports, testifying in court, and consulting on malpractice or forensic cases. Assignments are project-based, focusing on pathology expertise without direct patient care.

Requirements

  • Active or retired Florida medical license
  • Board certification in Pathology
  • 5+ years experience in relevant subspecialty
  • Prior expert witness experience preferred
  • Strong communication skills

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • SEAK 2024 Fee Survey, ExpertPages 2024

Florida notes: South FL litigation market slightly higher rates; Trial testimony $475-650/hr; Deposition $425-575/hr; File review $325-475/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

2.

AI Training & Annotation

$145-$425/hr

What You'll Do

Healthcare AI companies hire pathologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves pathology slide annotation and diagnostic ai training — tasks like digital pathology annotation, tissue classification, cancer detection training.

Requirements

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

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

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

Florida 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 pathologist AI training projects.

3.

Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards

$150-$400/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists advise healthcare organizations, labs, or pharma companies on pathology operations, quality improvement, protocol development, or product testing. Participation in advisory boards involves strategic input on diagnostics, AI tools, or policy. Work is non-clinical, leveraging expertise for meetings, reports, or panels.

Requirements

  • Board certification in Pathology
  • 10+ years experience
  • Leadership roles in pathology preferred
  • Florida license optional
  • Industry network

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs

Florida notes: Limited pharma hub; rates slightly below NY/CA; Pharma advisory $300-400/hr; Expert networks $200-350/hr; General consulting $150-250/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

4.

Telepathology / Remote Digital Pathology

$125-$165/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists remotely review digital slides, images, and reports via secure platforms to provide consultations, second opinions, or primary diagnoses for labs or hospitals. This involves real-time or asynchronous case sign-outs using whole-slide imaging technology. It enables serving multiple facilities without travel, ideal for Florida-based remote work.

Requirements

  • Active Florida medical license
  • Board certification in Pathology
  • Experience with digital pathology tools
  • High-speed internet and compatible hardware
  • Telemedicine training if required

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

Where to Find Work

  • ZipRecruiter Remote Pathologist data, industry estimates

Florida notes: No geographic variation (remote); Digital surgical path $135-165/hr; Remote cytology $125-150/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks

5.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$110-$155/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists work temporary assignments filling in for absent staff at hospitals or labs in Florida, performing diagnostic services like tissue analysis and reporting. Assignments are short-term, ranging from days to months, often per diem for daily shifts. This provides flexibility to choose locations and durations while maintaining clinical practice.

Requirements

  • Active Florida medical license
  • Board certification in Anatomic Pathology or AP/CP
  • Minimum 2-5 years post-residency experience
  • Clean malpractice history
  • Hospital privileges or ability to obtain quickly

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • AMN Healthcare, ZipRecruiter, Barton Associates

Florida notes: Rural FL +15-25% premium; Miami/Tampa metro average rates; Forensic Path $125-155/hr; General AP/CP $110-140/hr; Dermatopathology $130-155/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for pathologists in Florida?

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($325-$650/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($145-$425/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($150-$400/hr).

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

A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($325-$650/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($145-$425/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($150-$400/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.

Q: Can pathologists work remotely in Florida?

A: Yes, 4 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($325-$650/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($145-$425/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($150-$400/hr), Telepathology / Remote Digital Pathology ($125-$165/hr).

Q: What Florida license do pathologists need for freelance work?

A: An active Florida license from Florida Board of Medicine (under Florida Department of Health) is required for most clinical freelance options.

Q: How quickly can pathologists start freelance work?

A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting typically takes 1-4 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards typically takes 4-8 weeks.

Q: What's the pay range for pathologists doing AI training work?

A: AI training pays $145-$425/hour for pathologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.

Getting Started with AI Training

Folio connects Florida pathologists 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): Digital pathology annotation, tissue classification, cancer detection training

Most pathologists 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

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