2025: CRNAs Are Powering The Locum Tenens Market…& Demand Is Growing

The healthcare staffing industry is experiencing both rising demand for flexibility from CRNAs among persistent workforce shortages. Recent reports shed light on the trends shaping the market and the apparent trends in locum tenens, particularly for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This blog delves into these insights and their implications for CRNAs.

CRNAs are Powering the Locum Tenens Market…& Demand is Growing

The locum tenens segment of healthcare staffing is experiencing remarkable growth, projected to expand to a height from $5.2 billion in 2019 to a staggering $9.4 billion by the end of 2024. CRNAs, a key part of this sector, are in high demand due to their critical role in healthcare delivery and their revenue generating power for healthcare organizations.

2025 Staffing Market Trends for CRNAs

• Aggregate revenue growth by specialty indicates that CRNAs are the fastest growing and most lucrative segment of the advanced practice provider (APP) Locum Tenens market. Demand is expected to grow in Locum Tenens by 5% in 2025.
• The median bill rate (the median rate paid to recruitment agencies for CRNAs in locum tenens roles) reached an average of $289.30 in 2024, exceeding average bill rates for PAs ($179.81) and NPs (179.81). Bill rates are predicted to decline in 2025 due to margin pressures from the demand side (facilities).
• CRNAs alone accounted for 48% of the total revenue generated from staffing advanced practice providers in the US in 2024. Leading NPs (32%), PAs (15%) and Others (5%).
• CRNAs also had the highest revenue growth in advanced practice staffing (29%), whereas revenue from NPs and PAs accounted for 11% and 13% and respectively.

Key Drivers of Growth

1. The Aging population: An aging population of patients needing care as well as a significant portion of the workforce nearing retirement will continue to drive demand.
2. Increased Demand for Specialized Roles: The rise of outpatient procedures and ambulatory care centers has heightened the need for CRNAs in flexible roles.
3. Workforce Shortages: Ongoing shortages across healthcare professions make locum tenens a vital solution for filling critical gaps.
4. Provider Preferences: More CRNAs are curious about or prefer locums positions for their autonomy, higher earning potential, and as a means to reduce burnout.

Challenges Facing Healthcare Staffing Firms

While the growth is promising, staffing firms face a range of challenges that must be addressed to stay competitive:

1. Credentialing Delays

Credentialing remains a significant bottleneck in the placement process, often delaying the start date for qualified providers. Firms that streamline this process will gain a competitive edge. CRNAs who have their ducks in a row will outperform those who aren’t as organized.

2. Rising Costs and Margin Pressure

• The gross margins for staffing firms (the difference between bill rates and staffing expenses) is a key marker of profitability for recruiting firms. Between 2018 and 2023, the healthcare staffing industry experienced significant margin compression. Gross margins have declined from 25.5% in 2018 to 20.5% in 2023 notably due to rising provider wages, increased administrative costs, and market pressures from hospitals that are overburdened with high recruitment costs. To keep up with rising salary demands, agencies have to decrease their take.
• Locum tenens firms must balance competitive pay for providers with maintaining profitability.

3. Recruitment Challenges

Recruiting for locum tenens roles, particularly for CRNAs, ranks high in difficulty. The candidate pool remains tight, and firms must invest in innovative sourcing strategies to attract top talent.

Opportunities in the Healthcare Staffing Landscape

Despite the challenges, there are clear opportunities for CRNAs and firms to thrive:

1. Technology Adoption

The rise of platform-based recruitment is transforming the industry. Digital solutions now account for 27% of travel nursing placements, enabling faster matching and improved user experiences. In contrast, a mere 3% of locum tenens placements are technology enabled. Demonstrating the significant lag in maximizing technology for business growth by locum tenens firms. The scarcity of such platforms prior to Lokum App contributes significantly to comparatively low technology usage in the locums segment.

2. Outpatient Opportunity Growth

Hospital Outpatient/Ambulatory Surgery Centers will grow by 11% between 2023 and 2033 meaning their dominance as “sites of care” will continue to provide CRNAs with opportunities to provide care in various models.

3. Data-Driven Insights

Firms that leverage analytics on market trends, salary benchmarks, and candidate preferences can make informed decisions to enhance their offerings.

How Lokum App Is Addressing These Challenges

Lokum App is redefining the healthcare staffing experience by combining technology and market insights to meet the needs of CRNAs and healthcare organizations alike:

Simplified Recruiting

Our advanced tools simplify the process, ensuring that qualified providers are placed quickly without the usual snags in the process.

Platform Augmentation

By enhancing recruitment workflows like followups and leveraging our customer success process, Lokum App supports recruitment teams and enhances provider satisfaction.

Focus on CRNAs

Lokum App prioritizes CRNA-specific needs, leveraging deep knowledge of the workforce to drive our matchmaking success.

The Future of Healthcare Staffing

The healthcare staffing market is poised for sustained growth, with CRNAs leading the charge in locum tenens roles while growing steadily in permanent roles. Firms that embrace innovation, streamline operations, and prioritize provider satisfaction will lead the industry’s future. Lokum App is proud to be at the forefront of this evolution by bridging the gap between talent and opportunity through our technology.

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