What matters most in a physician job search? Compensation consistently tops the list, but for many physician job seekers, location is just as important. Physicians often start their searches within a fairly small radius, but as Regional Vice President of Recruitment at Jackson Physician Search, I urge physicians at any stage of their careers to keep an open mind about location. The competition for physician jobs in metropolitan areas is high, and those who are willing to consider less popular locales will not only have more opportunities, but also more negotiating power.
That’s not to say you should chase the highest offer. In How to Find a First Physician Job That Lasts, Jackson Physician Search president Helen Falkner offers detailed advice on evaluating a potential employer for cultural fit and leadership style, both issues commonly cited as reasons for leaving first physician jobs. However, because a community affects the whole family, I think location deserves similar scrutiny. Building on my colleague Neal Waters’ post on questions to consider before relocating, I’ve put together additional tips for determining whether a community is one you and your family can call home, sweet home.
Relocation Is a Family Decision
“Family” looks different in every household. You may be bringing a partner, young children, aging parents, etc., all of whom will have an opinion about a potential move. Before your site visits, sit down with everyone involved and agree on what is non-negotiable versus simply nice to have. Then evaluate each community against that list after every visit. This keeps a strong offer from crowding out what your household needs and surfaces disagreements early, while you still have time to talk them through.
A partner’s career deserves more than a single question. If your spouse is also a physician, timing can be a challenge, but most organizations will strive to make it work for married physician couples. If your partner works in another industry, consider whether their license transfers, whether their network will follow them, and whether leaving now would cost them a professional sacrifice, such as a promotion or vesting in a retirement plan.
Children add another layer. Most states publish school report cards, but data only goes so far, so visit schools and talk with local parents when you can. If you have young children, ask about childcare early, since infant care can come with long waitlists. Additionally, confirm that any specialized learning or medical services your child needs are available nearby.
Cost of Living Considerations
Physicians are sometimes surprised to learn that compensation doesn’t necessarily align with the cost of living. A high-cost metro area may be saturated with physicians, making it harder to build a patient panel. So, not only is the cost of living higher, but it can also take longer to reach the target compensation. The reverse is also true. Competition for patients is lower in rural and remote areas, so rural physician jobs tend to come with higher compensation, and the salary goes farther due to the lower cost of living.
Build a monthly budget for the community you are considering using local numbers for housing, state and local taxes, insurance, childcare, and student loan payments. Then add the easy-to-overlook costs: flights home for the holidays, a second car or commuting costs, and a temporary dip in household income if your partner needs time to find work.
Know the Tradeoffs of Rural Practice
Physicians may be hesitant to consider rural or remote communities, but the benefits are many. Not only do rural organizations often come with competitive compensation and a lower cost of living, but many rural physician jobs qualify for loan repayment programs. Physicians typically enjoy the broader scope of practice and report meaningful connections with the people they serve in those smaller communities.
The tradeoffs are real, too. Specialty care and backup coverage can be thin. A partner may have fewer job options. Airports, entertainment, and major shopping may be an hour or more away. School choices tend to be narrower, and your social circle will be smaller and more visible. You are also much more likely to run into patients in public places such as the grocery store. We are not suggesting any of this is a deal-breaker — many families thrive in rural towns. The key is going in with your eyes open, so talk with a physician family who relocated there and ask what surprised them.
Test the Community Before You Commit
A site visit is a curated experience, so add some time of your own. Stay an extra night, drive the commute at rush hour, and spend a few hours in town without the recruiting team. Ask the organization to introduce you to a physician who joined recently and their partner, since they’ll describe the first year more candidly than anyone else. Your recruiter can help, too. Jackson Physician Search recruiters typically visit the hiring organization before beginning a search, so ask what they learned about the community firsthand.
Before you sign, make sure you can answer these questions with confidence:
- Does this work for everyone? Score each person’s must-haves after every visit.
- Can your partner build a career here? You’ve researched job prospects, licensing, and timing.
- Does the budget hold up? You’ve run local numbers, including the hidden costs.
- Will you find your people? You’ve spent unscripted time in town and talked with a physician family who moved there recently.
If the answer is “yes,” you don’t have to wait until your start date to start establishing yourself in the community. Use the time between accepting an offer and starting the job wisely. Ideally, your new employer will be eager to assist with the transition, but you may need to be proactive about your own pre-boarding. Ask for introductions to colleagues and their families, and for help with housing, schools, and childcare before you arrive. Families who settle in quickly tend to make these connections early.
Keeping an open mind about location is essential in finding the right physician job, but the community has to work for the whole family. After all, the job may be what takes you there, but the community is what makes you stay.
Wherever you are in your physician job search, the recruitment team at Jackson Physician Search can help you find an opportunity that fits your career and your life. Reach out today or search physician jobs online.
About Tonya Hamlin
With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Tonya Hamlin has a relentless passion for connecting physicians and advanced practice providers with health systems and medical groups. Prior to joining Jackson Physician Search, Tonya served as a physician recruiter for an integrated delivery system. Her unique vantage point allows her to identify the best candidates and offer valuable market insights to her clients, ensuring strategic decisions that drive results. As Regional Vice President of Recruiting for Jackson Physician Search’s Dallas Division, she excels in understanding the distinct needs of each client and delivering customized recruitment strategies.
