Since embarking on our journey as new grad travel physical therapists in 2015, we, at Family Circle Travel, have gathered a wealth of knowledge about the world of Travel Pt Jobs. Like many entering this field, I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first started researching travel physical therapy during my third year as a DPT student. Resources were scarce, often vague, or tailored towards travel nurses, which didn’t quite fit the PT profession. What I truly needed was a comprehensive guide specifically for travel physical therapy, but such a resource was nowhere to be found. Through firsthand experience and learning from our mistakes, we began creating content – articles and videos – about travel physical therapy. Our aim was to prevent aspiring travel PTs from stumbling into the same beginner pitfalls we encountered.
Your Comprehensive Guide to Travel PT Jobs
After over seven years immersed in the travel healthcare industry, authoring hundreds of articles, and producing over 100 hours of live video discussions about every facet of travel physical therapy, I can confidently say that Family Circle Travel embodies the resource I yearned for at the start of my career. We’ve had the privilege of mentoring thousands of current and future travel PTs, establishing ourselves as a leading authority on all aspects of travel physical therapy jobs. Now, deeply familiar with the intricacies of travel PT, it’s sometimes challenging to recall the exact questions and concerns I had initially. However, in this guide, I’ll strive to address some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from individuals interested in travel physical therapy jobs.
It’s important to note that the information shared here is broadly applicable to Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Language Pathology (SLP), Physical Therapist Assistants (PTA), and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) as well. The fundamental principles remain consistent across these disciplines. While job availability and pay scales may differ, the core aspects of travel healthcare careers are largely the same.
Unpacking the Earning Potential in Travel PT Jobs
One of the primary draws to travel PT jobs is the potential for higher earnings. As a new graduate physical therapist considering permanent positions in my hometown, the anticipated salary of around $65,000 per year felt underwhelming, especially with six-figure student loan debt and a strong desire to achieve financial independence swiftly. Rumors of significantly higher pay in travel physical therapy piqued my interest, but concrete information regarding expected earnings and pay structures was hard to come by. Initially, travel physical therapy pay can seem complex. However, once you grasp the concept of tax-free stipends and understand how take-home pay relates to traditional hourly or salaried positions, the picture becomes much clearer.
Discussing travel PT job salaries in terms of a fixed annual figure isn’t particularly useful. Pay varies with each contract, and travel physical therapists work different numbers of weeks annually. Furthermore, not all contracts guarantee 40 hours per week, leading to potential fluctuations in weekly hours and overall income. This inherent variability makes a fixed “travel physical therapy salary” concept somewhat misleading. If you find this confusing, resources like our guide to travel physical therapy pay and our travel therapy pay 101 article can provide valuable clarity.
Demystifying Average Pay for Travel PT Jobs
Generally, travel physical therapists can expect to earn approximately 1.5 to 2 times more than their counterparts in permanent positions. This range, however, is influenced by factors such as the practice setting, contract location, and the prevailing pay rates for permanent positions in your area. For instance, a therapist considering transitioning from a permanent role paying $120,000 annually might find that some travel PT jobs offer comparable pay. Conversely, new graduates in regions with lower permanent job salaries (e.g., $58,000/year) could significantly boost their income by pursuing travel home health contracts in states like California, potentially earning three times their home income.
Typically, the majority of travel physical therapy jobs offer between $1,600 and $2,000 per week after taxes, though outliers exist. We’ve observed contracts ranging from $1,400 to as high as $3,400 per week, depending on the setting, location, and the urgency of the facility’s need for a PT.
Why the Demand for Travel PT Jobs?
Facilities seek travel PTs for various reasons. Common scenarios include covering therapist absences due to maternity leave or short-term disability, managing sudden increases in patient volume, or filling vacancies left by permanent PTs who departed unexpectedly. Furthermore, numerous travel contracts are available in rural areas nationwide where attracting and retaining permanent staff is challenging. These facilities may rely on travel therapists continuously due to a lack of permanent job candidates.
Finding Your Ideal Travel PT Jobs
There are several avenues for searching for travel physical therapy jobs. Most travel PTs secure contracts through travel staffing companies and recruiters. While independent contracting is an option, it often involves added complexities and risks, making it a less common path. Although potentially more lucrative, the increased administrative burden and liability often outweigh the financial benefits for most. Despite the perception that travel companies take a large cut, the reality is that they typically retain a smaller portion of the bill rate than many travel PTs assume.
Choosing to work with recruiters and staffing companies simplifies the job search. Recruiters present you with relevant open travel jobs based on your preferences, and you select the positions you wish to be considered for. Upon application submission, the facility manager decides whether to interview you. It’s crucial to ask insightful questions during phone interviews to avoid unfavorable work environments. If the interview is successful and the contract terms are agreeable, you accept the offer and begin preparations for your move to the new location!
Our Step-by-Step Guide provides a detailed roadmap for navigating the process of searching for and preparing for a travel therapy contract.
Looking for your next travel PT job? Connecting with the right recruiter can make all the difference. Let us help you find a recruiter who understands your career goals.
Selecting the Right Travel Physical Therapy Company for Your Job Search
The travel staffing companies (or agencies) and recruiters you partner with significantly shape your travel PT job experience. With over 100 agencies staffing physical therapists across the country, opinions on the “best” travel companies vary widely. Each company has its strengths and weaknesses, depending on your priorities regarding setting, location, and benefits. The ideal company or highest paying travel company for a PT seeking a SNF contract in Texas without needing health insurance will differ greatly from the best choice for a therapist wanting an outpatient contract in Maryland who requires family health insurance. Furthermore, recruiter compatibility is subjective, depending on communication preferences, personality, and individual needs.
Asking the right questions about a travel company and recruiter is essential to ensure a good fit. Working with multiple companies and recruiters is advisable to broaden your job options, especially when targeting specific locations. Over the years, we’ve interviewed numerous companies and recruiters to identify reputable and reliable partners for therapists with diverse needs. If you need assistance finding suitable companies and recruiters for your travel PT job search, complete our recruiter recommendation form, and we’ll connect you with qualified professionals.
State Licensing Requirements for Travel PT Jobs
Yes, obtaining licensure in each state where you intend to work is mandatory. The licensing process can be cumbersome, varying significantly by state. Requirements may include background checks, transcripts, license verifications, exam scores, fingerprints, and jurisprudence exams. Fortunately, the Physical Therapy Compact (PT Compact) has streamlined the process for eligible therapists in participating states, simplifying multi-state practice. OT and SLP Compacts are also in development, promising similar efficiencies for those professions.
Traveling with a Partner in Travel PT Jobs
Absolutely! While many travel therapists are solo adventurers, traveling as a pair is entirely feasible. Having navigated travel PT jobs as a couple for over seven years, we’ve become adept at managing the unique dynamics. Finding two jobs in close proximity and securing housing can present added challenges, but the companionship and shared experiences are invaluable. As with many aspects of travel therapy, there are both advantages and disadvantages to traveling as a pair. Many therapists also successfully travel with pets or non-therapist spouses, requiring some additional planning and research.
Negotiating Higher Pay in Your Travel PT Job Contract
Understanding pay negotiation strategies is crucial for maximizing your earnings in travel physical therapy jobs. Negotiation success is highly context-dependent. If you are the ideal candidate for a high-demand position with limited applicants, you hold significant leverage to negotiate for a higher rate. Conversely, applying for a desirable location with ample qualified candidates may limit your negotiating power. Effective negotiation as a travel PT hinges on recognizing when you have leverage and when a more flexible approach is necessary.
Housing Considerations for Travel PT Jobs
Securing short-term housing can be a major hurdle in certain areas. Availability varies widely depending on location. However, in most parts of the country, it’s manageable. While travel companies can arrange housing, it’s generally not financially advantageous as you’d forfeit the housing stipend, a substantial portion of your pay. Our comprehensive article on travel therapy housing provides in-depth guidance on finding housing and avoiding common pitfalls.
Another housing option to consider is traveling in a camper or RV, eliminating the need for short-term rentals altogether. We embraced the RV lifestyle for three years. While RV living has pros and cons, it can be an excellent solution for some travel PTs.
International Travel PT Job Opportunities
While international travel PT jobs exist, we generally don’t recommend them for most US-based PTs. Obtaining work visas, degree equivalency certifications, and international licenses can be complex, time-consuming, and country-specific. Furthermore, international opportunities are less abundant than domestic travel PT jobs, and pay is often lower. Instead of working abroad, we prefer leveraging the higher income and flexibility of US travel PT jobs to fund extensive international travel for leisure between contracts.
We are aware of therapists who have successfully worked in Australia, Belgium, and various other countries. If international work is a primary goal, it is achievable, but typically involves longer-term placements (year or more) rather than short contracts common in US travel therapy.
Standard Contract Lengths in Travel PT Jobs
Most travel PT job contracts are 13 weeks long, but durations can range from 3 weeks to 9 months. Facilities are often open to negotiating contract length. If a job is otherwise perfect but the duration is not ideal, it’s worth applying and discussing contract length flexibility during the interview.
Contract Extensions for Travel PT Jobs
Contract extensions are common in travel physical therapy. We have personally extended several of our contracts for additional 13-week periods. Extensions offer benefits like reduced moving expenses and potential pay increases. However, extension availability depends on the facility’s ongoing staffing needs.
Career Longevity in Travel PT Jobs
The duration of a travel PT career is entirely individual. Some therapists complete a single contract before transitioning to permanent roles, while others have thrived as travelers for over a decade. The average travel PT career spans a couple of years. We have built a long-term career out of travel PT, viewing it as an alternative lifestyle that provides flexibility and ample time off to pursue other interests. There are diverse types of travel physical therapists, and career plans often evolve over time.
Launching Your Career in Travel PT Jobs
We hope this guide has addressed many of your questions about travel PT jobs. For further in-depth information, our guide to getting started and Travel Therapy 101 Series are excellent resources, along with the links provided throughout this article.
For a structured, step-by-step approach to starting and succeeding in travel therapy, consider our comprehensive travel therapy course. It features 12 hours of video content, guides, and handouts, designed to empower new travel PTs. Don’t hesitate to request recruiter recommendations to kickstart your job search or contact us with any remaining questions.
Additional Resources:
Jared Casazza
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Published by Travel Therapy Mentor
Travel Therapy Mentor is brought to you by Jared and Whitney Casazza, traveling physical therapists since 2015. We mentor aspiring and current travel healthcare professionals. View all posts by Travel Therapy Mentor
