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

1.

Expert Witness / Medical-Legal

$400-$800/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists review medical images and records for legal cases, providing expert opinions on standard of care in radiology malpractice suits or personal injury claims. This involves preparing reports, affidavits, and testifying in depositions or court. Work supports attorneys in Texas courts evaluating imaging-related negligence.

Requirements

  • Active or recent Texas medical license
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • 10+ years clinical experience
  • Prior expert witness experience preferred
  • Strong communication skills

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • Expert Institute
  • SEAK 2024 Fee Study
  • ResidencyAdvisor
  • ExpertPages

Texas notes: Dallas/Houston large metro ~1.0x regional multiplier; Trial testimony $550-800/hr; Deposition $500-700/hr; Record review $400-600/hr
Typical start timeline: 2-6 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

Texas 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-$450/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists advise healthcare organizations, hospitals, or tech firms on radiology department operations, imaging equipment procurement, workflow optimization, or AI integration. Engagements include strategic planning, compliance audits, or policy development for Texas facilities. Projects are often project-based rather than ongoing clinical work.

Requirements

  • Active Texas medical license
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • 5+ years leadership or administrative experience
  • Domain expertise in healthcare IT or operations
  • MBA or consulting experience advantageous

Malpractice Insurance: No

Where to Find Work

  • PhysicianSideGigs
  • GLG
  • AlphaSights
  • Guidepoint

Texas notes: Houston TX Medical Center drives demand; Pharma advisory $350-450/hr; Expert networks $250-400/hr; Med device $300-400/hr
Typical start timeline: 4-10 weeks

4.

Locum Tenens / Per Diem

$130-$400/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists work temporary assignments at hospitals or clinics in Texas to cover short-term staffing needs, such as vacations or absences, performing diagnostic imaging interpretations and reports. Assignments are often per diem or short-term contracts, providing flexibility between full-time roles. The work involves on-site patient imaging reviews and consultations with clinical teams.

Requirements

  • Active Texas medical license
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • Minimum 2-5 years post-residency experience
  • Clean malpractice history
  • Hospital privileges or ability to obtain quickly

Malpractice Insurance: Typically provided by employer

Where to Find Work

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

Texas notes: Rural West TX +20-25%; Dallas/Houston metro average; border +15%; Interventional $350-400/hr; General Diagnostic $130-340/hr; Tele-rad TX license $40/RVU equivalent
Typical start timeline: 6-12 weeks

5.

TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine

$120-$300/hr

What You'll Do

Radiologists remotely interpret medical images such as X-rays, CTs, and MRIs for healthcare facilities, often during off-hours like nighthawk shifts. Work is performed via secure PACS systems from home or remote sites, delivering preliminary or final reads. This allows serving multiple Texas or out-of-state facilities without travel.

Requirements

  • Active Texas medical license (plus endorsements for other states if applicable)
  • Board certification in Radiology
  • Experience with teleradiology platforms
  • High-speed internet and home workstation
  • Nighthawk or subspecialty expertise preferred

Malpractice Insurance: Yes ($8,000-$25,000/year)

Where to Find Work

  • AMN Healthcare
  • LocumTenens.com
  • vRad
  • DocCafe

Texas notes: No geo variation (remote); TX license required; ED/STAT overnight $200-300/hr; Daytime overflow $120-180/hr; Per-RVU $40-60/RVU
Typical start timeline: 4-8 weeks

Common Questions People Ask

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

A: Based on current market data, the top 3 are: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($400-$800/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($250-$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 ($400-$800/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($250-$450/hr). This can save on insurance compared to options requiring coverage (Data not available in search results).

Q: Can radiologists work remotely in Texas?

A: Yes, 4 options are fully or partially remote: Expert Witness / Medical-Legal ($400-$800/hr), AI Training & Annotation ($125-$475/hr), Healthcare Consulting / Advisory ($250-$450/hr), TeleRadiologist / Telemedicine ($120-$300/hr).

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

A: An active Texas license from Texas Medical Board 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 2-6 weeks, while AI Training & Annotation typically takes 1-2 weeks, while Healthcare Consulting / Advisory typically takes 4-10 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 Texas 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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Do I need malpractice insurance for freelance radiologist work in Texas?
Can I do freelance work while employed full-time as a radiologist?
What is AI training for radiologists, and how does it work?
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How do I get started with freelance radiologist work in Texas?