The OB/GYN workforce is at a pivotal moment. Demand is growing, especially in underserved regions. Meanwhile, retirements, burnout, and legislative pressure continue to shrink the supply of practicing physicians. For providers and healthcare systems alike, understanding the OB/GYN job outlook isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Whether you’re an OB/GYN exploring career paths or a healthcare leader trying to maintain consistent coverage, the future of this specialty brings both serious challenges and significant opportunity. From projected growth rates to care delivery trends, here’s what to expect—and how locum tenens is helping stabilize the field.

A Shrinking Workforce Amid Rising Demand

The United States is headed for a projected shortfall of nearly 9,900 OB/GYNs by 2037, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. It’s a trend already making itself known in hospitals and health systems today. In 2022, more than half of rural hospitals and over a third of urban hospitals lacked obstetric services, contributing to growing “maternity care deserts.”

This isn’t a problem of declining demand. What’s changing is the workforce itself.

• Nearly one-quarter of U.S. physicians were 60 or older in 2023.
• 35% of all physicians are expected to reach retirement age by 2027.
• OB/GYN burnout is rising, driven by administrative burden, long hours, and legal uncertainty—especially in states with restricted reproductive care access.

These combined pressures are straining the specialty. Fewer OB/GYNs are entering the field, and those who do are often choosing sub-specialties or alternative career paths.

Employment Projections: Modest Growth, But Not Fast Enough

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OB/GYN employment is projected to grow 4% between 2023 and 2033—roughly in line with average growth across all U.S. occupations. That may sound stable on paper, but the reality is more complex.

New job openings will exist. But the number of practicing OB/GYNs available to fill those roles will not keep pace—particularly in certain regions. HRSA projects that by 2030, the U.S. OB/GYN workforce will only meet 90% of the country’s demand.

For hospitals and practices, this means that hiring alone won’t be enough to bridge the care gap. Flexible staffing models, including locum tenens coverage, will be vital to maintaining continuity of care.

Maternity Deserts Are Expanding—and So Is the Need for Coverage

According to the March of Dimes, more than 5.5 million women currently live in areas with limited or no access to maternity care. These “maternity care deserts” aren’t just a rural issue—they’re appearing in urban areas as well, particularly where hospitals have closed labor and delivery units due to staffing or cost constraints.

These access issues have real consequences:

• Increased maternal and infant mortality risks
• Delayed or insufficient prenatal care
• Disproportionate impact on lower-income and marginalized communities

Locum tenens OB/GYNs can play a key role in reversing these trends by stepping in where permanent staffing is unavailable or unsustainable. For providers seeking meaningful work and clients needing immediate coverage, locums offers a high-impact solution.

Career Pathways: A Specialty in Transition

Despite its challenges, OB/GYN remains a rewarding and vital field. And in 2025 and beyond, OB/GYNs have more ways than ever to shape a fulfilling career.

Hospital employment models—such as OB Hospitalist or Laborist roles—are gaining traction as health systems seek to ensure around-the-clock coverage. Subspecialties such as Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM), Gynecologic Oncology, and Reproductive Endocrinology continue to attract interest from OB/GYNs looking to deepen their clinical expertise.

Others are pursuing parallel paths in:

• Academic medicine, to help train the next generation of OB/GYNs
• Policy and advocacy, particularly in response to state-level reproductive health legislation
• Telehealth, for follow-up care and gynecological consults

The locum tenens model fits well alongside many of these career avenues. It allows OB/GYNs to explore different clinical environments, work flexibly between commitments, and choose how and where they want to contribute.

Why OB/GYNs Are Choosing Locum Tenens

Beyond competitive pay, locum tenens offers OB/GYNs a solution to some of the biggest frustrations in the field:

• Burnout relief: Locums allows for intentional breaks between assignments, reducing emotional exhaustion.
• Work-life control: Physicians choose when, where, and how long they work.
• Professional growth: Exposure to new settings and EMRs broadens skills and resumes.
• Purposeful placement: Many locum assignments are in high-need communities where the impact is tangible.

What Healthcare Leaders Need to Know

For hospitals and health systems, the OB/GYN shortage is not a future problem—it’s a present one. Recruiting full-time OB/GYNs is increasingly difficult, especially in rural or high-burden markets. Maternity coverage gaps lead to patient diversions, unit closures, or unsafe staffing levels.

Locum tenens can provide:

• Fast, credentialed coverage from experienced OB/GYNs
• Support for overburdened teams, avoiding burnout and turnover
• Continuity of care during recruitment or staffing transitions
• Flexibility to scale staffing up or down based on demand

Caliber offers a streamlined process, deep specialty expertise, and a commitment to both client and provider satisfaction. Through our managed service provider solution, Caliber EDGE, we also help organizations build proactive staffing models—not just reactive ones.

At Caliber, we work with OB/GYNs to tailor locum opportunities that align with their goals—whether that means picking up a few shifts a month or taking longer-term contracts in maternity deserts that need immediate support.

The OB/GYN Outlook: Challenge Meets Opportunity

The OB/GYN job outlook is shaped by complex, competing forces: growing demand, declining supply, and shifting workforce expectations. But with the right partnerships and staffing solutions, the outlook is far from bleak. For OB/GYNs seeking flexibility, meaningful work, and competitive compensation, locum tenens offers a path forward. And for healthcare systems striving to maintain access to essential services, it provides a dependable bridge in a time of change.

Whether you’re an OB/GYN ready for your next opportunity—or a client organization seeking support—Caliber is here to help meet the moment.