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

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal

$375-$700/hr

What You'll Do

Expert witness work requires radiologists to review medical images and records for legal cases, providing impartial opinions on standard of care in radiology. This involves preparing reports, depositions, or court testimony on diagnostic errors or imaging interpretations. Assignments are case-based and project-oriented.

Requirements

  • Board certification in Radiology
  • Active Ohio license preferred
  • 5+ years clinical experience
  • Prior expert witness experience helpful

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Expert Institute
  • SEAK 2024 Fee Study
  • ResidencyAdvisor

Ohio notes: Midwest below coastal; Cleveland/Columbus moderate; Trial testimony $500-700/hr; Deposition $450-600/hr; Record review $375-550/hr
Typical start timeline: 1-4 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

Ohio 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.

Healthcare Consulting / Advisory

$250-$425/hr

What You'll Do

Consulting roles involve advising healthcare organizations on radiology department operations, imaging technology implementation, workflow optimization, or compliance. Radiologists may review protocols, train staff, or provide strategic advice on AI tools and equipment purchases. Work is often project-based for hospitals or groups in Ohio.

Requirements

  • Board certification in Radiology
  • Active Ohio license
  • 5-10+ years experience
  • Leadership or operational expertise

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs
  • GLG
  • AlphaSights
  • Guidepoint

Ohio notes: Cleveland Clinic/OSU academic networks; Pharma advisory $325-425/hr; Expert networks $250-375/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

4.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$130-$400/hr

What You'll Do

Locum tenens or per diem work for radiologists involves temporary coverage at hospitals or clinics in Ohio, reading diagnostic images such as CT, MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound, often in inpatient or outpatient settings. Assignments are short-term, filling staffing gaps, with shifts typically 8 AM to 5 PM and no call in some cases. Radiologists handle 70-90 reads per day, primarily ER-driven cases.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio medical license or IMLC
  • Board Certified/Board Eligible in Radiology
  • 12+ months recent experience
  • Valid DEA

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • Indeed
  • LocumTenens.com
  • Columbus OH remote Jan 2026)
  • Barton Associates
  • OnCall Solutions

Ohio notes: Rural Ohio +20-25% (OH 122% above median); Cleveland/Columbus metro average; Interventional $350-400/hr; General Diagnostic $130-340/hr; Chest/Thoracic $150-300/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-12 weeks

5.

TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine

$110-$280/hr

What You'll Do

Tele-radiology involves remote interpretation of imaging studies like CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine for Ohio hospitals, often during night shifts or specific daytime blocks. Radiologists work from home using their own workstation, handling ER-driven reads without mammography. IT support is provided for remote setup.

Requirements

  • Active Ohio license or IMLC
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • Recent experience (12 months)
  • Own workstation for remote reads

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

  • AMN Healthcare
  • vRad
  • LocumTenens.com

Ohio notes: No geo variation (remote); OH license or IMLC; Overnight ED $180-280/hr; Daytime $110-180/hr; Per-RVU $40-55/RVU
Typical start timeline: 2-6 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

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

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($375-$700/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($250-$425/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-$425/hr). This can save $20-$50K annually compared to options requiring coverage.

Q: Can radiologists work remotely in Ohio?

A: Yes, 3 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($375-$700/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine ($110-$280/hr).

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

A: An active Ohio license from State Medical Board of Ohio 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 AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 4-8 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 Ohio 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 Ohio?