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

TL;DR

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

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal

$375-$700/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists review medical imaging and records for legal cases, providing expert opinions on standard of care in malpractice suits or personal injury claims. This involves preparing reports, depositions, and court testimony based on radiological expertise. Assignments are project-based, often for attorneys in Michigan courts.

Requirements

  • Active or recent Michigan medical license
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • 5+ years post-residency experience
  • Strong communication skills

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Expert Institute
  • SEAK 2024 Fee Study
  • ResidencyAdvisor

Michigan notes: Midwest below coastal; Detroit/Ann Arbor moderate; Trial testimony $500-700/hr; Deposition $450-600/hr; Record review $375-550/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-4 weeks

2.

AI Training & Annotation

$125-$475/hr

What You'll Do

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.

Requirements

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

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

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

Michigan 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.

3.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$125-$450/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists work temporary assignments at hospitals or clinics in Michigan to cover staffing shortages, reading imaging studies and providing diagnostic reports on a per diem or short-term basis. Assignments can range from days to months, often involving on-site or teleradiology support. This allows flexibility to choose shifts while maintaining clinical practice.

Requirements

  • Active Michigan medical license
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • Clean malpractice history
  • DEA waiver if applicable
  • Case logs for certain assignments

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • Indeed
  • LocumTenens.com
  • Barton Associates
  • OnCall Solutions

Michigan notes: Rural MI +15-20%; Detroit metro average; MI 118% above national median; Interventional $400-450/hr; General Diagnostic $125-340/hr; Detroit ED coverage (remote) active
Typical start timeline: 6-12 weeks

4.

Healthcare Consulting / Advisory

$250-$400/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists advise healthcare organizations, imaging centers, or vendors on radiology workflow optimization, AI integration, or quality improvement initiatives. This includes policy development, equipment evaluation, and strategic planning for Michigan facilities. Work focuses on non-clinical expertise rather than direct patient care.

Requirements

  • Board certification in Radiology
  • 10+ years experience preferred
  • Leadership or subspecialty expertise
  • Michigan license optional

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs
  • GLG
  • AlphaSights
  • Guidepoint

Michigan notes: Ann Arbor (U of Michigan) academic; Detroit health systems; Pharma advisory $300-400/hr; Expert networks $250-375/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 weeks

5.

TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine

$110-$280/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists remotely interpret medical images such as X-rays, CTs, and MRIs from various facilities via secure platforms, providing preliminary or final reads. Work involves virtual collaboration with referring physicians without physical patient contact. This supports 24/7 coverage for urgent cases across Michigan hospitals.

Requirements

  • Active Michigan medical license
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • PACS/RIS proficiency
  • Secure home workstation setup

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • AMN Healthcare
  • vRad
  • LocumTenens.com

Michigan notes: No geo variation (remote); MI license required; Overnight ED $180-280/hr; Daytime $110-180/hr; Detroit remote overnight 11pm-7am active
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

Q: What are the highest-paying freelance options for radiologists in Michigan?

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($375-$700/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Locum Tenens / Per Diem ($125-$450/hr).

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

A: 3 options don't require malpractice insurance: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($375-$700/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($250-$400/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.

Q: Can radiologists work remotely in Michigan?

A: Yes, 4 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($375-$700/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($250-$400/hr), TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine ($110-$280/hr).

Q: What Michigan license do radiologists need for freelance work?

A: An active Michigan license from Michigan Board of Medicine 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 2-4 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks, while Locum Tenens / Per Diem typically takes 6-12 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.

Getting Started with AI Training

Folio connects Michigan 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

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Frequently asked questions

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How do I get started with freelance radiologist work in Michigan?