Leki Bora
Physical therapists can add a lot of travel to their careers, and it is a career path that is growing in popularity. Travel physical therapists work on short-term contracts, filling in for full-time employees or covering for staff on maternity or disability leave. The length of each contract varies from a few weeks to a year, but the most typical travel therapy contract length is 13 weeks. Travel PTs can get paid significantly more than permanent therapists, and they get to explore new areas and gain experience in new practice settings. However, there are some downsides to this career path, such as the lack of paid time off, the challenge of finding short-term housing, and the potential for cancelled contracts. While it is possible to find international travel PT jobs, it is not easy and there are more regulations to navigate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Working hours | Travel physical therapists can work between 3 weeks to 9 months per contract. |
| Salary | Travel physical therapists can make up to double what a permanent physical therapist would make. |
| Work availability | There are more permanent positions than travel contracts. |
| Work locations | Travel physical therapists can work in skilled nursing facilities, home health, outpatient, acute, and schools. |
| Housing | Travel physical therapists can stay in extended motels, Airbnbs, VRBOs, campgrounds, or with friends or family. |
| Licensing | Travel physical therapists must be licensed to work in each new state. |
What You'll Learn
Lucrative pay
Physical therapists (PTs) can find their profession lucrative and fulfilling. The median salary for PTs was $97,720 in 2022, with the best-paid 25% making $107,430 and the lowest-paid 25% making $80,700. The national average salary is $89,883 per year, with a salary range of $57,820 to $139,728 per year. PTs can increase their income by choosing to work in certain specialisations, environments, and locations.
Specialisations
Specialising in a particular area of physical therapy can lead to higher pay. Sports medicine is one of the highest-paying specialisations, with physical therapists typically employed by athletic institutions and private clinics. Geriatric medicine is another lucrative specialty, especially as the ageing baby boomer generation increases the demand for physical therapists in this field. Other well-paying specialisations include neurology, orthopaedics, oncology, and pediatrics.
Environments
The type of facility or environment PTs work in also affects their salary. Nursing and residential care facilities, as well as home healthcare services, tend to offer higher pay. On the other hand, physical therapists working in offices or clinics often earn lower wages.
Locations
Location plays a significant role in the salary of a physical therapist. In the United States, the top-paying states include California, Nevada, New Jersey, Alaska, and Texas. Metropolitan areas such as San Jose, San Francisco, Napa, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento in California also offer higher salaries. Internationally, working as a travel PT in other countries may be possible but can come with additional challenges and lower pay.
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Flexible work
The flexibility of travel physical therapy is a major draw for many physical therapists. Travel PTs can choose when and where they work, and for how long. They can take time off between contracts to travel or take care of personal responsibilities. This flexibility also allows them to work in different settings and gain experience in new practice areas, as well as meet new people and build their professional network.
Work When You Want
Travel PTs can choose to work as many or as few contracts as they like. They can take one 13-week contract and then decide to take a permanent job, or they can continuously work travel contracts for their entire careers, with short or long breaks in between.
Work Where You Want
Travel PTs can choose where they want to work, although this depends on job availability and timing. The more flexible they are on location, setting, and pay, the more job options they will have.
Take Time Off When You Want
The flexibility of travel PT work means that therapists can take time off between contracts to travel or take care of personal responsibilities. For example, Whitney and Jared Casazza of Travel Therapy Mentor have been able to work only one or two 13-week contracts per year, taking six months or more off to travel the world for leisure.
Gain Experience in Different Settings
Travel PTs can gain experience in new practice settings and learn new skills. The most prevalent travel physical therapy jobs are in skilled nursing facilities and home health, followed by outpatient and acute, then schools. Specialty settings such as pediatrics, neuro, and women's health are less common.
Meet New People
Travel PTs can meet new people and build their professional networks as they work in different locations and settings.
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High demand
The demand for physical therapists is expected to grow by 15% between 2022 and 2032, with many of these openings expected to result from current physical therapists leaving or retiring. This is compared to an average growth rate of 3% for all occupations. This high demand for physical therapists means that travel PTs can afford to be selective about where they work and can often command higher salaries.
The majority of travel physical therapy contracts pay between $1,600 and $2,000 per week after taxes, but there are always outliers. The highest-paying contracts can be worth up to $3,400 per week, depending on the setting, location, and urgency of the facility's need for a PT. Travel PTs can sometimes make up to double what a permanent physical therapist would make.
There are a variety of reasons why a facility might need a travel PT. This could be due to a therapist going on maternity leave or short-term disability, a sudden increase in patients, or a permanent PT leaving on short notice. There is also a high demand for travel PTs in rural areas, where it can be difficult to keep permanent staff.
The most prevalent travel physical therapy jobs are in skilled nursing facilities and home health settings, followed by outpatient and acute care, and then schools. The most common travel therapy contract length is 13 weeks (3 months), but they can vary from a few weeks up to a year.
The best states in the US for physical therapists to find employment include Alaska, California, Washington, Nevada, Texas, Wyoming, New Mexico, North Dakota, Delaware, and Minnesota. These states were chosen based on the number of annual job openings and average salary.
The cities of Gadsen, Alabama; Punta Gorda, Florida; and Youngstown, Ohio, were also highlighted as top locations for pursuing physical therapy jobs, taking into account population size, the cost of living, and the location quotient for physical therapists in the city.
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Enhanced clinical and soft skills
Travelling as a physical therapist comes with a host of benefits, including enhanced clinical and soft skills.
Enhanced Clinical Skills
Working as a travel physical therapist allows you to gain experience in a variety of hospital systems and practice models, which can broaden your clinical skillset. For example, a travel physical therapist filled in for a staff member on maternity leave in the UK and worked in outpatient departments in Wales and Northern England. They also took on locum jobs in Zimbabwe and Israel, gaining international clinical experience.
Enhanced Soft Skills
The nature of travel physical therapy means that you will be working with a variety of people and in different environments, which can improve your soft skills. These skills include adaptability, communication, and interpersonal skills. For example, you will need to adapt to different hospital systems and work with a range of colleagues and patients. Additionally, travel physical therapy can provide you with the opportunity to develop your communication and interpersonal skills by working with people from different cultural backgrounds and building relationships with colleagues and patients in a short period.
Overall, working as a travel physical therapist can offer a unique opportunity to enhance your clinical and soft skills through diverse experiences and interactions.
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Opportunity to travel
Being a physical therapist can be an excellent career choice for those who want to see the world while also having a rewarding job. Travel physical therapists (or "travel PTs") fill short-term contracts in different locations, often travelling to wherever there is the highest demand. This means that travel PTs can find themselves working in a variety of settings, from hospitals to schools to people's homes.
International Travel
International travel is possible for physical therapists, but it can be challenging to arrange. It can be difficult to obtain visas and licensure to work in another country, and there are often fewer job opportunities and lower pay. However, some physical therapists have successfully worked abroad in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Zimbabwe.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel is more common for physical therapists, particularly in the United States, where travel PTs can easily move between states. The demand for physical therapists is high, with a projected growth of 15% between 2022 and 2032. This means that travel PTs can often find work wherever they want to go.
Benefits of Travel PT
There are several benefits to being a travel PT. Firstly, it offers adventure and the opportunity to experience new places and challenges. It also provides a flexible schedule and a good work-life balance, as travel PTs can take time off between contracts. Financial gain is another perk, as travel PTs typically earn a higher income than permanent therapists. Travel PTs can also gain experience in different practice settings, learn new skills, and meet new people.
Drawbacks of Travel PT
There are also some potential downsides to being a travel PT. One issue is the lack of paid time off, as employers only hire travel PTs for short periods. Finding affordable short-term housing can also be challenging, although some travel PTs choose to live in an RV or camper to avoid this problem. Cancelled contracts and gaps in health insurance coverage are other potential issues to be aware of. Additionally, working as a travel PT can be lonely, as constant travel can make it difficult to develop and maintain relationships.
How to Become a Travel PT
For those interested in becoming a travel PT, the first step is to earn a physical therapy degree, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree with coursework in pathology and biomechanics. It is also important to research the industry and understand the specific requirements and challenges of being a travel PT, such as licensing and taxation. Passing the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) is also necessary to practice in certain states. Working with a travel healthcare recruiter can make it easier to find jobs and navigate the complexities of travel PT work.
In conclusion, being a travel PT can be an excellent opportunity for physical therapists who want to see the world. It offers a unique combination of career development, financial gain, and adventure. While there are some challenges to be aware of, the benefits of travel PT work can make it a rewarding and exciting career choice.
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Frequently asked questions
A travel physical therapist does everything a traditional physical therapist does but on a short-term contract. They travel to different locations to fill gaps where physical therapists work.
There are several benefits to being a travel physical therapist, including higher pay, more adventure, a flexible schedule, and improved clinical and soft skills.
There is no paid time off, a lack of short-term housing, and higher costs. Contracts can also be cancelled, and there may be health insurance gaps.
First, you need to earn a physical therapy degree. Then, educate yourself about travel PT, and pass the NPTE to get licensed. Finally, work with a travel physical therapy recruiter to find jobs.
The best states for physical therapists to find work include Alaska, California, Washington, Nevada, Texas, and Wyoming.
