Answers to the 20 most common questions about travel therapy careers.
Travel therapy is healthcare staffing where licensed PTs, OTs, SLPs, and assistants take temporary 13-week assignments at facilities nationwide. You're employed by a staffing agency and earn competitive pay including non-taxable stipends. Read the full 101 guide.
Total packages: PTs $1,800–$3,500+/week, OTs $1,700–$3,200+, SLPs $1,700–$3,300+, assistants $1,200–$2,200+. Non-taxable stipends make effective take-home significantly higher than permanent positions. Detailed pay guide.
Yes. Many agencies place new grads, especially in SNFs and outpatient. New Grad Guide.
A permanent residence you maintain while traveling. It enables non-taxable stipends — losing it costs $10,000–$20,000+/year. Full tax guide.
Standard is 13 weeks. Range is 8–26 weeks. Extensions at the same facility are common. Contract details.
An interstate agreement allowing PTs/PTAs to practice in 40+ states without separate licenses. Licensure guide and compact states list.
No universal minimum. SNFs accept new grads widely. Acute care typically wants 1–2+ years. Full requirements.
Most take the stipend and find their own via Furnished Finder, Airbnb, or Facebook groups. Housing guide.
SNFs, outpatient, acute care, home health, schools, inpatient rehab. SNFs have the most positions. Settings comparison.
Work with 2–3. Evaluate pay transparency, recruiter quality, benefits. Agency selection guide and reviews.
Non-taxable with a valid tax home. Without one, ALL stipends become taxable. Tax guide.
Licenses, BLS, immunizations, background check, references, skills checklist, ID. Full checklist.
Yes. Partners share housing at no extra cost. Many rentals are pet-friendly.
Good contracts have 30-day cancellation clauses. Your recruiter finds a replacement. Contract guide.
Potentially $80K–$120K paid off in 2–3 years. Student loan strategies.
Yes. Options: agency plans, ACA Marketplace, parent's plan (under 26), spouse's plan. Insurance guide.
Agencies keep a portion of what the facility pays and pass the rest to you. Lower-margin agencies — typically smaller, therapist-owned — pass more to you. Always compare packages from 2-3 agencies. Pay packages explained.
Yes — you decide which assignments to accept. Popular locations pay less; rural areas pay premiums. Best states guide.
Federal return + resident return in tax home state + non-resident returns per work state. CPA recommended. Tax guide.
For most who try it, yes. Higher pay, diverse experience, and flexibility outweigh the challenges. Most travel 2–5 years. Full pros and cons.
Connect with experienced travel therapy professionals.
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