Compare high-paying freelance options for Georgia 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 Georgia? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Georgia offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting

$300-$600/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists review medical records, autopsy reports, and evidence to provide expert opinions in legal cases involving malpractice, criminal investigations, or insurance disputes. Work includes preparing reports, depositions, and court testimony on pathology findings. Assignments are project-based, often sourced through legal firms or expert networks.

Requirements

  • Active Georgia medical license
  • Board certification in Pathology
  • 5+ years experience in relevant subspecialty
  • Prior expert witness experience preferred

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • SEAK 2024 Fee Survey, ExpertPages

Georgia notes: Atlanta litigation market slightly above regional average; Trial testimony $450-600/hr; Deposition $400-550/hr; File review $300-425/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 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

Georgia 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-$375/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists advise on lab operations, quality assurance, diagnostic protocols, or participate in pharmaceutical advisory boards for drug development in pathology-related areas. Involves strategic recommendations, guideline development, or panel discussions rather than direct patient care. Opportunities arise with healthcare firms, labs, or pharma companies seeking pathology expertise.

Requirements

  • Active or recent Georgia medical license
  • Board certification in Pathology
  • 10+ years clinical experience
  • Leadership or consulting background

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs, GLG, Guidepoint

Georgia notes: Limited pharma presence; rates below coastal markets; Expert networks $200-350/hr; Pharma advisory $300-375/hr; General consulting $150-250/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

4.

Telepathology / Remote Digital Pathology

$120-$160/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists remotely interpret digital slides, provide second opinions, or consult on cases via secure platforms for hospitals lacking on-site expertise. Involves real-time or asynchronous review of whole-slide images for diagnostics, often in frozen sections or tumor boards. Growing due to digital pathology advancements, suitable for Georgia-licensed pathologists serving local or national clients.

Requirements

  • Active Georgia medical license
  • Board certification in AP/CP Pathology
  • Experience with digital pathology platforms
  • Reliable high-speed internet and digital workstation

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

Where to Find Work

  • ZipRecruiter, industry estimates

Georgia notes: No geographic variation (remote); Digital sign-out $130-160/hr; Remote cytology $120-145/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

5.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$110-$155/hr

What You'll Do

Pathologists provide temporary coverage for hospitals or labs, performing anatomic and clinical pathology duties such as case sign-outs, frozen sections, and consultations. Assignments typically last from days to months, filling gaps due to vacations, backlogs, or staffing shortages. In Georgia, opportunities often involve on-site work in facilities like those in Atlanta or Macon with standard M-F daytime shifts.

Requirements

  • Active Georgia medical license
  • Board certification in Anatomic/Clinical Pathology (AP/CP)
  • Minimum 1-2 years post-residency experience
  • Clean malpractice history

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • Barton Associates

Georgia notes: Atlanta metro average; Rural GA +20-30% premium; General AP/CP $110-140/hr; Forensic Path $120-150/hr; Dermatopathology $125-155/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-6 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

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

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($300-$600/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($145-$425/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($150-$375/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 ($300-$600/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($145-$425/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($150-$375/hr). This can save $15-$40K annually compared to options requiring coverage.

Q: Can pathologists work remotely in Georgia?

A: Yes, 4 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal Consulting ($300-$600/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($145-$425/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory Boards ($150-$375/hr), Telepathology / Remote Digital Pathology ($120-$160/hr).

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

A: An active Georgia license from Georgia Composite Medical Board 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 2-4 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 Georgia 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

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How do I get started with freelance pathologist work in Georgia?