Looking for freelance or contract work as a radiologist in Illinois? Whether you want to supplement your income or transition to independent practice, Illinois offers several high-paying options. Here's how the top opportunities compare.
A radiologist provides expert testimony and written opinions in legal cases involving medical imaging, reviewing cases for attorneys, insurance companies, or courts. Work involves case analysis, report writing, and potential courtroom testimony regarding standard of care and causation in radiology-related disputes.
Malpractice Insurance: Personal professional liability insurance recommended (cost varies; typically $2,000-5,000+ annually for expert witness coverage)
Illinois notes: Chicago legal market ~1.0-1.10x regional multiplier; Trial testimony $550-800/hr; Deposition $500-700/hr; Record review $400-600/hr
Typical start timeline: Ongoing (case-by-case basis; no standard timeline)
A radiologist provides expert consultation to healthcare organizations, technology companies, or consulting firms on imaging protocols, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, or technology implementation. Work involves strategic advising, report writing, and meetings rather than direct patient care.
Malpractice Insurance: No (typically not required for non-clinical advisory work, but verify with specific client)
Illinois notes: Chicago pharma (AbbVie/Baxter); academic medical centers; Pharma advisory $375-475/hr; Expert networks $275-425/hr; Academic consulting $200-350/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks (project-dependent)
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
Illinois 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.
A radiologist provides temporary coverage at healthcare facilities to fill in for absent physicians, typically on a short-term basis. Work involves reading diagnostic imaging and providing clinical interpretations while the regular radiologist is unavailable. Compensation is typically on a per diem or daily fee basis.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer ($1-3 million per claim coverage standard)
Illinois notes: Chicago metro average; Rural downstate +15-20%; Freeport IL listing active; Interventional $400-450/hr; General Diagnostic $130-365/hr; Remote ER rad $160-200/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks (credentialing and hiring process)
A radiologist interprets diagnostic imaging studies remotely from a home office or other location, providing readings for multiple facilities or a teleradiology service provider. Work involves reviewing images electronically and delivering reports without being physically present at the imaging facility.
Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer (verify telemedicine coverage specifics)
Illinois notes: No geo variation (remote); IL license required; Overnight ED reads $200-300/hr; Daytime overflow $120-180/hr; Per-RVU $40-55/RVU
Typical start timeline: 6-10 weeks (technology setup and credentialing)
Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for radiologists in Illinois?
A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($400-$800/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($275-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr).
Q: Which freelance options for radiologists don't require malpractice insurance?
A: 2 options don't require malpractice insurance: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($275-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.
Q: Can radiologists work remotely in Illinois?
A: Yes, 3 options are fully or partially remote: Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($275-$475/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine ($120-$300/hr).
Q: What Illinois license do radiologists need for freelance work?
A: An active Illinois license from Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) 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 Ongoing (case-by-case basis; no standard timeline), while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 4-12 weeks (project-dependent), 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 Illinois 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.
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Questions? Email experts@folioworks.com
