Looking for freelance or contract work as a radiologist in California? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, California offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
Expert witness work requires radiologists to review cases, interpret imaging evidence, and provide impartial testimony in legal proceedings like malpractice suits. They prepare detailed reports on standard of care adherence and may testify in depositions or trials. This role leverages radiology expertise for court or attorney consultations.
Malpractice Insurance: No
California notes: Bay Area/LA attorneys pay highest national rates; Trial testimony $600-900/hr; Deposition $550-850/hr; Record review $450-700/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Healthcare consulting involves advising hospitals, insurers, or tech firms on radiology workflows, AI imaging tools, or compliance. Radiologists assess equipment needs, optimize reporting processes, or guide policy development. Assignments may include project-based audits or ongoing advisory roles.
Malpractice Insurance: No
California notes: Bay Area biotech premium; remote common; Pharma advisory $400-500/hr; Expert networks (GLG/AlphaSights) $300-500/hr; Health-tech $250-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Healthcare AI companies hire radiologist professionals to review, annotate, and validate training data for medical AI systems. Work involves radiology image annotation and ai model training — tasks like medical image labeling, ct/mri annotation, diagnostic accuracy validation.
Malpractice Insurance: No
California 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 radiologist AI training projects.
Locum tenens or per diem work involves temporary radiologists filling short-term staffing gaps at hospitals or imaging centers in California. They interpret imaging studies, provide radiology reports, and may perform procedures during assignments. This freelance model offers supplemental income with variable shift lengths.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer
California notes: Bay Area +10-15%; Rural Northern CA +20-30%; LA metro average; Interventional/Neuro $375-450/hr; General Diagnostic $150-340/hr; Pediatric Radiologist ~$260-325/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks
Teleradiology entails remote interpretation of medical images such as X-rays, CTs, and MRIs for hospitals or platforms serving California patients. Radiologists provide preliminary or final reads overnight or during peak times using secure PACS systems. It enables high-volume reading without on-site presence while adhering to California standards of care.
Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($20,000-$30,000/year)
California notes: No geo variation (remote); CA license required; Body imaging $150-300/hr; Nighthawk/overnight $200-315/hr; Daytime overflow $120-200/hr; Per-RVU $40-60/RVU
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks
Medical writing for radiologists includes authoring peer-reviewed papers, grant proposals, or educational content on imaging topics. Clinical research roles involve protocol design, data analysis from trials, or regulatory submissions. Freelance opportunities arise with journals, pharma, or research organizations.
Malpractice Insurance: No
California notes: SF Bay Area pharma/biotech cluster; Physician CME/peer review $150-200/hr; Clinical research PI $120-180/hr; Standard med writing $75-120/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for radiologists in California?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($450-$900/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($300-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for radiologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 4 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($450-$900/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($300-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Medical Writing / Clinical Research ($75-$200/hr). This can save $25-$60K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can radiologists work remotely in California?
A: Yes, 5 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($450-$900/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($300-$500/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine ($120-$315/hr), Medical Writing / Clinical Research ($75-$200/hr).
Q: What California license do radiologists need for freelance work?
A: An active California license from Medical Board of California is required for most clinical freelance options.
Q: How quickly can radiologists start freelance work?
A: Timeline varies by option: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal typically takes 1-4 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 2-6 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks.
Q: What's the pay range for radiologists doing AI training work?
A: AI training pays $125-$475/hour for radiologists, varying by experience level and project complexity. No malpractice insurance required.
Folio connects California radiologists 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): Medical image labeling, CT/MRI annotation, diagnostic accuracy validation
Most radiologists start with 5-10 hours weekly, then scale based on preference. No minimum commitment.
Explore AI Training Opportunities
Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
