Traveling Therapist Jobs: How Do They Work?

Travel therapy is a career option for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists who want to work short-term contracts in different locations. These contracts can be in the therapist's home country or abroad, and they can last from a few weeks to a year, with 13 weeks being the typical length. Travel therapists are placed in these short-term positions by agencies, who pay them a weekly rate and often provide housing. This career path offers therapists the chance to explore different areas, gain experience in new settings, and earn a higher salary. However, it can also be stressful and strain relationships and mental health.

How to get started as a travel therapist

Understand the role

Travel therapy involves taking short-term contracts, usually lasting 13 weeks, in different locations within the US. These roles are open to physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.

Know the pros and cons

Travel therapy can be a stressful lifestyle that strains relationships and mental health and causes financial difficulties. On the other hand, it can be a well-paid way to gain experience in new work settings and explore different areas.

Have clear goals

Think about why you want to be a travel therapist. Do you want to travel for the money, for the experience, or for the journey?

Understand the basics

Get to grips with how therapists are placed in jobs through agencies, how reimbursement works, and the basics of finding housing.

Find a recruiter

Identify a travel agency and a recruiter who will represent you and connect you with jobs. You can work with more than one recruiter and agency at a time.

Get licensed

Make sure you have the right licenses for the states in which you want to work. It's usually recommended that you get 2-3 state licenses upfront.

Apply for jobs

Once you're set up with a recruiter, they will help you search for jobs and submit your applications. You will need to complete the application process, which may include background checks, reference calls, and submitting your licenses.

Prepare for interviews

When a position interests you, you will likely have a phone interview to see if it's a good fit.

Get hired

If you get the job, it will be offered through your agency. You will then need to go through further onboarding, which may include TB testing, drug testing, online course modules, fit mask testing, and physicals.

Repeat

Travel therapy contracts are often short, so you may find yourself going through the process again in a few months.

Understanding travel therapy pay

Travel therapists are paid differently from permanent positions, which can be confusing for those new to the industry. Travel therapists' pay is a combination of taxable pay and untaxed money (stipends for housing, meals, and incidentals). This is because travel therapists receive reimbursements for work-related expenses such as housing, in addition to their regular pay. Since part of the money is untaxed, travel therapists often have a higher net pay than those in permanent positions.

A typical travel therapy pay package consists of:

• Hourly rate (taxable)
• Housing allowance/stipend (not taxed)
• Meals and incidental allowance/stipend (not taxed)
• Additional reimbursements (e.g. for state license, relocation costs)

The pay will usually be presented as a total gross or net weekly amount. A gross weekly pay number includes the hourly taxable rate multiplied by 40 hours, plus any housing, meals, and incidentals stipends. A net pay number is usually calculated using a 25% tax rule of thumb, although this can vary depending on an individual's tax rate.

The amount of money a travel therapist can expect to make varies depending on factors such as setting, location, and the travel company. A typical range for a traveling physical therapist, occupational therapist, or speech language pathologist is around $1,500 to $1,800 per week after taxes. For PTA/COTA, pay is typically between $1,000 and $1,300 per week. However, some travel therapists make as little as $1,500 per week, while others make $3,000 or more per week.

In general, home health contracts pay the most, while skilled nursing facilities pay the least. Jobs on the west coast, particularly in California, tend to pay more than jobs on the east coast. Jobs in rural areas also often pay more than those in cities due to being less desirable for most travellers.

It's important to note that travel therapists don't get paid time off for vacations and may sometimes have unwanted time off between contracts, which can eat into their overall pay.

Finding housing for short-term assignments

Agency-provided housing

If you opt for agency-provided housing, your weekly pay will be lower as the agency will take a chunk out of your pay for housing. The benefit of this option is that you won't have any upfront housing costs and won't need to sign a lease or submit to a credit check. However, you will have less control over your accommodation and may end up in pricier hotels or corporate housing units.

Finding your own housing with a housing stipend

Most travelers choose to take the housing stipend and find their own accommodation. This option gives you more flexibility and control over where you live, but it is also more work. You will need to spend time searching for housing options and setting up a lease agreement. There are various websites, online forums, and groups that can help you identify short-term housing options, such as Furnished Finder, Airbnb, VRBO, and Facebook Marketplace and Groups.

When finding your own housing, it is important to consider your personal situation, such as whether you are traveling solo or with a partner/family, and your preferences for accommodation type and location. It is also crucial to be mindful of potential scams and to carefully review lease agreements and cancellation policies.

How to find a job as a travel therapist

Understand the role and your motivation

Firstly, it is important to understand what a travel therapist does and whether it is the right career path for you. Travel therapists are qualified therapists, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists or speech therapists, who work on a short-term basis, usually on 12-13 week contracts. They fill urgent staffing needs in various settings, such as schools, clinics, hospitals and nursing facilities. As a travel therapist, you may be expected to work with little to no training, so it is important to be adaptable and quick to learn.

Before embarking on a career as a travel therapist, it is worth considering your reasons for wanting to enter the field. Ask yourself: why do I want to be a travel therapist? Being aware of your motivations will help you to determine whether this is the right path for you.

Find a recruitment agency

The main way to find work as a travel therapist is through a recruitment agency. Agencies work with various clinics, schools, rehabs and other organisations to fill their staffing needs. They will connect you with suitable roles and guide you through the application and onboarding process.

Connect with a recruiter

Once you have identified an agency or agencies that you would like to work with, get in touch with a recruiter. The recruiter will represent you and help you find appropriate roles. They will discuss your experience, qualifications and preferences to gain a better understanding of the type of work you are looking for.

Complete the application and verification process

To apply for jobs through an agency, you will need to complete their application process, which typically includes verification checks to confirm that you are a qualified therapist. This may involve background checks, reference calls and providing evidence of your licenses.

Apply for jobs

Once you have been verified, the recruiter will share suitable vacancies with you. If you are interested in any of the jobs, the recruiter will put you forward for the role. The employer will then review your application and may contact you for a phone interview.

Accept a job offer

If you are successful in securing a position, the job offer will be made through your recruiter. It is important to ensure that you have a valid license to practice in the location where you are applying. If you don't, you must obtain one as soon as possible.

Onboard for the role

When you accept a job, you may need to undergo further onboarding, which could include drug testing, online courses, health checks and other requirements.

Find accommodation

Finding suitable accommodation can be challenging, as temporary housing can be expensive and agencies usually offer limited support. You may be offered free accommodation, but this will usually be deducted from your pay. It is generally more financially beneficial to find your own housing, but this may not be easy. Consider using websites with verified listings that act as intermediaries between property owners and tenants.

Repeat the process

As a travel therapist, you will typically work on short-term contracts, so you will need to repeat the process every few months. However, if you maintain a good relationship with your recruitment agency, you may not need to register with new agencies for each placement.

Be flexible and adaptable

Finding a job as a travel therapist may require flexibility on your part. Being open to working in different settings and locations will increase your chances of finding consistent work. It is also important to be adaptable, as you may need to work with little training and be expected to perform efficiently from the start.

Pros and cons of travel therapy

Pros of Travel Therapy

• Travel therapists can make 25 to 40% more pay than therapists in permanent jobs.
• There are tax-free incentives.
• You are in control of your journey. You choose which contracts to accept or decline, what state or city to experience next, and how much time you’ll take between contracts.
• You’re never alone as a traveler. Your recruiter is a dependable, professional support system.
• The longer you travel, the more opportunities you make to grow your professional and mentorship network.
• You are constantly learning as a traveler, which is great for professional development.
• You can discover what settings and cities you’d enjoy settling down in for a permanent job and will likely have the opportunity to accept permanent job offers at some point.
• You can attend local festivals, enjoy the best family-owned restaurants, or discover the swimming holes or uncrowded hiking trails only locals know.
• There is no shortage of opportunities to experience self-growth and development. You will constantly be learning about new clinical systems and new ways of life.
• You will be challenged regularly, which makes you a stronger and more adaptable person.
• Travel PT, OT, and SLP contracts give you the chance to work when you want, where you want, and for whom you want.
• You will most certainly learn and improve your skills, which is a huge benefit for your healthcare career.
• You build non-clinical skills as a travel therapist.

Cons of Travel Therapy

• Most contracts are 13 weeks and not all travelers will find opportunities to extend, which means you could be moving four times a year.
• Desired locations are often snapped up quickly, or filled by permanent therapists before contracts end, which means you’re likely to work in a rural or very remote area at some point.
• Contracts can get canceled.
• Finding short-term housing can be tough.
• There may be health insurance gaps.
• You will have to “hit the ground running” without much training.

Frequently asked questions