Pays more at these hours
0–4 hours included
$5,200–$5,850
Total for this 24-hour day, low end to high end.
- Daily rate
- $3,200–$3,600
- Hours already included (gratis)
- 4
- Callback hours
- 5
- Callback added
- $2,000–$2,250
Beginner-friendly pay tool
How to get paid the most for general and interventional call
A simple way to read a 24-hour call quote. Pick your specialty, then move the hours you actually work. The tool shows when a smaller included block plus callback beats a higher guaranteed rate.
Direct answer: For interventional cardiology, a 24-hour call rate of $3,200–$3,600 with 0–4 hours included often matches an 8-hour day. Callback is often $400–$450. A consistent 9-hour day at $3,200, 0–4 included, and $400 callback pays $5,200, and that is the low end. A higher guarantee of $3,800–$4,200 includes 0–6 hours and has less callback upside. General cardiology uses $2,200–$2,800 for the 0–4 rate, callback of $275–$350, and a 0–6 guarantee of $2,600–$3,200. These are educational ranges, not offers.
Educational ranges, effective 2026-10-12. Not a guaranteed offer.
9 hours
Volume is the whole decision. A quiet night and a consistent 9-hour day are different jobs, even when the daily rate looks the same.
At 9 hours, the lower 0–4 hour rate pays more because callback starts sooner. On the low interventional cardiology quote that is $5,200 versus $5,000 for the higher guarantee. $3,200 with 0–4 hours included and $400 callback is $5,200. That is the low end, not a ceiling.
The other quote
0–6 hours included
$5,000–$5,550
Total for this 24-hour day, low end to high end.
- Daily rate
- $3,800–$4,200
- Hours already included (gratis)
- 6
- Callback hours
- 3
- Callback added
- $1,200–$1,350
Why the 0–4 hour gratis is the advantage
Gratis means hours already paid inside the daily rate. A 24-hour call quote of $3,200–$3,600 with 0–4 hours included is often the same number as an 8-hour day. It can look like you are covering the night for free. You are not, once the work goes past 4 hours. Callback for interventional cardiology is often $400–$450 per hour.
If you want more money guaranteed and less dependence on volume, ask for $3,800–$4,200 with 0–6 hours included. That daily rate is higher. The upside is lower, because callback does not start until hour 7. On a consistently busy day, the 0–4 structure plus callback is usually the larger check.
Questions this tool answers
What does 0–4 hours gratis mean on a 24-hour cardiology call?
Gratis hours are already included in the daily rate. With 0–4 hours included, the first 4 hours of work do not add callback. Hour 5 and after is paid at the callback rate. That is why a busy 24-hour call can pay much more than the daily number on the contract.
Why is a 24-hour call rate sometimes the same as an 8-hour rate?
For interventional locums, $3,200–$3,600 is a common range both for an 8-hour day and for a 24-hour call that includes only 0–4 hours. The extra money is the callback after those 4 hours, often $400–$450 an hour, not a second daily rate.
When should I ask for $3,800–$4,200 instead?
Ask for that higher interventional range when you want more of the day guaranteed and you expect a quieter call. It usually includes 0–6 hours, so callback starts later. If the hospital is consistently busy, the lower daily rate with 0–4 hours included often pays more.
Are these the same rates for general cardiology?
No. General cardiology in this tool uses the published $2,200–$2,800 daily band for an 8-hour day and for a 24-hour call with 0–4 hours included. Callback is that daily rate divided by 8, or $275–$350. The higher-guarantee 0–6 hour quote is $2,600–$3,200.
Interventional figures are the call-structure ranges for this tool. General cardiology stays on the published general cardiology locum daily band. Read the interventional pay guide before you compare a STEMI activation schedule with a clinic day.