The OB/GYN workforce is not keeping pace with demand. Projections by the Health Resources and Services Administration estimate that the United States will only meet 82% of anticipated demand by 2037. As workforce numbers continue to decline, maternity care access is becoming less accessible, particularly in rural areas where labor and delivery units are closing at an accelerating rate.
Download the Complete White Paper for Insights into the Growing OB/GYN Shortage
Download the Complete White Paper for Insights into the Growing OB/GYN Shortage
OB/GYN By The Numbers: Workforce & Job Growth
In the United States, there are approximately 46,600 active OB/GYNs, including 1,050 specialists in maternal and fetal medicine.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% increase in employment for obstetricians and gynecologists by 2033, translating to approximately 700 additional positions.
Locum Tenens OB/GYN: A Look at the Interim OB/GYN Workforce
According to the National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations (NALTO), more than 52,000 physicians work locum tenens annually. Out of over 46,600 OB/GYNs, approximately 3,922 have worked locum tenens either in tandem with their full-time position or as a stand-alone career.
Among the top five physician specialties utilizing locum tenens, OB/GYNs accounted for 13% of all locum tenens searches for physicians in 2023. This placed OB/GYN just behind surgery and gastroenterology, underscoring its vital role in interim healthcare staffing.
Key Drivers: Factors Contributing to the OB/GYN Shortage
Limited Residency Positions: Slowing Pipeline Progression
The growing OB/GYN shortage is largely influenced by the limited number of residency positions. Despite strong interest in the specialty, the number of positions available falls short, leading to fewer OB/GYNs entering the workforce.
Despite some growth in the number of available OB/GYN residency positions, the increase has not been sufficient to overcome workforce constraints or address ongoing gaps in access to OB/GYN care.
Burnout Rates: Contributing to OB/GYN Attrition
Burnout remains one of the primary drivers of growing physician shortages. According to a 2025 Medscape survey, 40% of OB/GYNs report their work-life balance has worsened compared to 3 years prior.
Maternity Service Closures: Creating Geographical Barriers to OB/GYN Care
Since 2010, over 500 hospitals within the U.S. have closed their obstetric units, with rural hospitals accounting for over 200 of those closures, according to a study published by the JAMA Network.
As these closures continue, the consequences are increasingly visible at the community level. Gaps in maternity care access have become more pronounced in certain counties, with more than 5.5 million women now living in counties with no or limited access to maternity care services, according to a 2024 report done by the March of Dimes.
Actionable Strategies: Navigating the OB/GYN Shortage
Implement OB Hospitalist Models: Improving Access to Care
Today, hospitals across the U.S. are adopting OB hospitalist models at an increasing rate to help mitigate the impacts of the shortage and ensure access to care. Studies have found that implementing OB hospitalist models delivers benefits for patients, OB providers, and hospitals alike.
By incorporating an OB hospitalist model, healthcare organizations ensure continuous coverage for inpatient obstetric care without relying on a single provider. With one team focused on inpatient deliveries, another managing outpatient services, and a third overseeing gynecological surgeries, hospitals can deploy clinical expertise more efficiently across the care continuum.
Uncover how Medicus helped a NYC health system build an OB hospitalist team and achieve a 24% increase in deliveries from the previous year here.
Utilize Locum Tenens OB/GYNs: Bridging Gaps in Coverage
As OB/GYN staffing gaps continue nationwide, utilizing locum tenens OB/GYNs to fill in temporary staffing gaps is vital in ensuring continuous access to care.
Partnering with a trusted locum tenens agency like Medicus streamlines OB/GYN coverage by managing staffing complexities, easing the load on permanent teams, and helping maintain continuity of care.
For an in-depth look into the factors contributing to the OB/GYN shortage and strategies that can be leveraged to navigate it, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions About the OB/GYN Workforce:
How Many OB/GYNs are in the United States?
There are an estimated 46,600 OB/GYNs in the United States.
How Many OB/GYNs Work Locum Tenens in the U.S.?
As of July 2025, roughly 8% of OB/GYNs work locum tenens, either as their full-time career or in tandem with their permanent job, according to Medicus' proprietary data.
How Many OB/GYNs Reported Burnout in 2025?
Nearly 30% of OB/GYNs reported experiencing burnout, with 23% reporting being both burned out and depressed, according to Medscape's OB/GYN Mental Health and Well-Being 2025 Report.
Why is There a Shortage of OB/GYNs?
The shortage of OB/GYNs is due to a combination of factors such as rural disparities, heightened burnout rates, limited residency positions, and additional factors.
What is a Maternity Care Desert?
According to the March of Dimes, a maternity care desert is defined as counties within the U.S. that do not have obstetric providers or facilities, such as hospitals or birth centers, that offer maternity care.
Which States Have the Highest Percentage of Maternity Care Deserts?
The states with the highest percentage of maternity care deserts include North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas, according to data from the March of Dimes 2024 Maternity Care Report.
