Healthcare Recruiting
Telehealth Hiring Trends: What Recruiters Need to Know in 2026
Telehealth is no longer an emergency measure. Virtual visits now account for approximately 17% of all outpatient encounters in the U.S., up from less than 1% before 2020. For certain specialties like psychiatry and dermatology, the share exceeds 40%.
This structural shift is creating new hiring patterns that every healthcare recruiter needs to understand.
Which Specialties Are Going Remote?
Not every specialty translates to telehealth. The highest adoption rates by specialty in 2026:
| Specialty | Telehealth % | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry | 55-60% | Highest adoption, patient preference driven |
| Dermatology | 40-45% | Store-and-forward images work well |
| Endocrinology | 35-40% | Chronic disease management via virtual |
| Primary Care | 25-30% | Follow-ups and medication management |
| Cardiology | 20-25% | Remote monitoring integration |
| Neurology | 20-25% | Telestroke programs expanding |
| Orthopedics | 5-10% | Limited — physical exam required |
| Surgery | 2-5% | Pre/post-op consults only |
Telehealth Compensation Trends
Telehealth-only positions typically pay 10-15% less than equivalent in-person roles, but the gap is narrowing as demand for virtual providers grows. The trade-off — no commute, flexible hours, no overhead — makes telehealth attractive despite the pay differential.
Psychiatrists working telehealth-only report the smallest pay gap (5-8% below in-person) due to extreme demand. Some telehealth platforms now offer $300-350/hr for psychiatric consultations.
Multi-State Licensure: The Key Enabler
The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) now includes 42 states, making it faster for physicians to practice across state lines. For nurses, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) covers 41 states. Recruiters sourcing telehealth candidates should prioritize providers with compact licenses or willingness to obtain them.
What Telehealth Means for Recruiters
The practical implications for healthcare recruitment:
- Geography matters less — a psychiatrist in Iowa can serve patients in Florida
- Competition is national — you are competing with telehealth platforms for the same candidates
- Tech competency matters — screen for comfort with EHR systems and video platforms
- Licensing is the bottleneck — help candidates navigate compact licensure
- Part-time is common — many providers do telehealth as a side practice
Recruiting for Telehealth Positions
When sourcing telehealth candidates, cast a wider geographic net. A physician in a low-cost-of-living state may be highly motivated by a telehealth role that pays metropolitan rates. Use databases like Ava Health to filter by specialty and state, then reach out to candidates in states with compact licensure agreements.
Search providers by specialty at providers.avahealth.co/specialties.
Related reading: How to Recruit Psychiatrists for Telehealth Positions in 2026, Telehealth Psychiatry Jobs: $270K-$350K Remote Positions Available Now, Psychiatry providers.
Hiring in this space?
Browse 1.4M+ verified providers across all 50 states
NPI-sourced, free, no account required. Filter by specialty + state in seconds.
Search the directory →Be on the launch list
Salary data, hiring plays, and market trends. We'll email you when issue 1 ships. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We never share your email.