Top Locum Shifts of 2023

We have gone through all of our booked locum shifts from 2023 and have discovered the highest paid rate for a locum shift in the UK. We analysed over 200,000 shifts that were worked through Locate a Locum to find the highest-paying shifts of 2023. Rates have been a hot topic for several years now. However, there are many things which impact shift rate.

What factors influence shift rate?

Many different factors influence the shift rate. However to put it simply it is typically a result of supply versus demand.

For example, if there are fewer locums available to work in a particular area or on a particular day the rate tends to increase. On the other hand on an average day where there are many locums applying for shifts in that area shifts or on that day the shift rate will not fluctuate drastically and may stay the same for long periods of time.

Who decides the shift rate?

This is a question we get asked all the time and the answer is really simple. The Pharmacy sets the rate.

We at Locate a Locum have never been responsible for setting the rate of shifts on our site. Locate a Locum is a technology platform that connects locums with pharmacies to help facilitate shift bookings but in no way do we set the rate.

Top Shifts of 2023

An independent pharmacy based in Stoke-on-Trent snagged the top spot this year for an Easter Monday Shift at an amazing £100 an hour! Significant seasonal and religious holidays such as Easter, Christmas, New Years have always seen an increase in rates. These dates tend to be hard to fill as many people go on holiday.

“To any locum looking to increase their earning potential, those holiday shifts are the ones you should target,” Jonathan Clarke, CEO.

Apart from time of year we can also see the impact location has on shift rate in our top shifts with the remote aeas in Scotland and in the South of England offering between £90 to £80 per hour. Due to the smaller pool of locums or pharmacists to draw from in these areas, in order to attract new locums in remote locations often will have higher rates. So it may be worth travelling a few extra miles for your next shift!

However, hourly rate isn’t the only thing locums should look at when booking! A few of the highest hourly rates only saw the locum working for just 1 or 2 hours. The highest paying shift on Locate a Locum in 2023 was £720. So make sure you check all of the shift details before passing on a shift that may have a seemingly lower rate.

What do you think?

What did you think of the top rates? Have you encountered any similar rates? Let us know the top rate you saw in 2023 - did the time of year or location play a part in it?