Locum Podiatrist Job Openings in California
Looking for locum tenens podiatrist jobs that actually pay what your license is worth? Imperial Locum connects licensed DPMs with locum podiatry opportunities at leading facilities across California.
These opportunities come with competitive hourly pay, fast credentialing support, and the flexibility to work on your own schedule. Whether you're building experience, filling gaps between permanent roles, or making locum work your full-time career, we make it easy to find your next podiatry job.
Current Podiatrist Job Openings
Our current podiatrist jobs are based at California's Department of State Hospitals facilities, including:
Each listing starts at a flat $204 per hour, well above the national average for the profession (more on this later). Browse current openings below, or apply directly to a location that fits your schedule.
Why Choose Locum Tenens Podiatry
Locum tenens work gives podiatrists something a single permanent role rarely can: control. You choose your assignments, your locations, and how much of the year you want to work.
It's a natural fit whether you're a recent DPM graduate exploring different practice settings, a seasoned podiatric surgeon looking to supplement your income, or a semi-retired physician who wants to keep practicing without a full-time commitment.
As a podiatry recruiter and full-service staffing partner, Imperial Locum handles the parts of the job search that usually slow candidates down. We manage credentialing paperwork, coordinate travel and logistics when needed, and match you directly with facilities that need your skills. This way, you spend less time chasing job openings and more time practicing medicine.
Podiatrist Salary: What You Can Expect
Podiatrist pay varies significantly depending on setting, location, and whether you're working locum tenens or a permanent role. As of May 2025, national podiatrist salary data puts the median around $160,300 per year, with hourly pay averaging $77.07 per hour. Podiatrists in the top percentile, often surgical specialists, can earn well over $200,000 annually.
Locum tenens work changes that math. Every current podiatrist job with Imperial Locum starts at a flat $204 per hour. The reason? Facilities covering urgent staffing gaps are willing to pay a premium for reliable, credentialed coverage.
That said, it’s worth understanding why the hourly rate is higher. Locum rates are often higher because permanent jobs may include benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, and malpractice coverage. With locum work, some of these benefits may be handled differently or covered separately.
Locum work is also assignment-based, so your annual income depends on the number of hours and assignments you take. The higher hourly rate reflects the flexibility and variable nature of locum work.
With that context, a podiatrist working locum assignments can still often out-earn peers in comparable permanent roles, especially when working consistent hours across multiple assignments.
What Does a Locum Podiatrist Do?
So, what is a podiatrist, exactly? A podiatrist is a licensed Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
That includes everything from routine foot care and diabetic wound management to corrective procedures and reconstructive surgery, depending on the setting and your scope of practice.
A typical podiatrist job description and day-to-day duties include:
Performing diagnostic assessments and physical exams of the foot and ankle
Diagnosing and treating conditions such as bunions, fractures, infections, and diabetic wounds
Performing corrective and, where applicable, surgical procedures
Prescribing rehabilitation plans and monitoring patient recovery
Maintaining detailed patient records and documenting treatment progress
Collaborating with physicians, nurses, and other care teams for integrated patient care
Types of Podiatrist Assignments
Not every locum podiatrist job looks the same, and that's part of the appeal. Depending on your license, experience, and preferences, assignments can include:
Surgical podiatrist jobs: Facilities needing coverage for corrective and reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, along with post-operative care. Surgical privileges and ankle procedures are subject to California DPM credentialing and facility-specific scope.
Podiatrist hospital jobs: Roles based in hospital or institutional settings rather than private practice, often with structured schedules and a broader patient population.
Short-term and ongoing assignments: Some podiatrist job openings are structured as brief coverage gaps; others run for months at a time. We'll walk you through the expected length before you commit.
Part-time podiatry jobs: If you're not looking for full-time hours, locum work lets you scale your schedule up or down between assignments.
How Imperial Locum Works
Imperial Locum is a staffing partner, not your direct employer — we connect you with facilities, but we don't direct your day-to-day clinical decisions. Here's what the process looks like:
Talk to Us: Share your license, experience, and availability.
We Match You: We connect your profile with facilities that have current podiatrist job opportunities matching your skills.
Credentialing Help: We gather paperwork and verify your license for each facility.
Travel & Logistics: We help arrange any travel or housing support your assignment requires.
Start Your Assignment: Begin your role with support available throughout.
Ready to Find Your Next Assignment?
Our current podiatry jobs are concentrated in California's state hospital system. This is a setting with consistent, ongoing demand for licensed podiatrists.
As our network grows, we're working to expand locum podiatry opportunities into additional states and practice settings. Check back often, or talk to a recruiter about what's coming next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need to work locum podiatrist jobs with Imperial Locum?
You'll need an active, unrestricted Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) license in the state where the assignment is located. We assist with the credentialing and verification process for each facility once you're matched.
What's the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?
Podiatrists are DPMs who specialize specifically in the foot, ankle, and lower leg, including surgical care. Orthopedic surgeons are MDs trained across the broader musculoskeletal system. Many patients see a podiatrist first for foot- and ankle-specific conditions.
How long are locum podiatrist assignments?
Assignment length varies by facility need. Some cover a short-term gap, others run for months at a time. We'll confirm the expected duration before you commit to an assignment.
