Becoming a travel physical therapist is an intriguing choice for those who are pursuing a career in the field. Locum tenens therapy offers the chance to make a competitive salary while gaining practical experience by traveling to different facilities around the nation. Travel physical therapy jobs pay differently depending on a number of important aspects.
From education and certifications to settings and locations, this article will cover how much do travel PT make in 2024. Here, you’ll get secret information on how to land the best paying travel therapy jobs in any specialty. If you’re looking for a new adventure or a way to supplement your income, these nomadic health professional professions can be incredibly rewarding! Keep reading to find out more!
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How Much Do Travel PT Make in 2024
When estimating potential take-home pay as a travel PT, be aware that compensation levels can fluctuate widely. Several pivotal variables affect overall earnings, including:
Education, Licensure and Certifications
Higher degrees, licenses and specialty certifications enable therapists to command stronger salaries. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs and board certifications signal advanced expertise to employers. Those with credentials specifically in high demand like orthopedics, neurology or cardiopulmonary therapy also earn more.
Work Settings and Facilities
The type of facility a travel PT works in hugely impacts pay rates. Hospital-based roles tend to offer higher compensation than outpatient clinics or nursing homes. And prestigious healthcare systems have larger budgets to attract top talent. Urban settings also sometimes pay more than rural.
Regional Cost of Living
Not surprisingly, travel therapist job opportunities based in regions with a higher cost of living typically pay better than economically depressed areas in order to match salaries to local factors. Think major metropolis versus rural town.
Assignment Length and Personal Flexibility
The amount of time an assignment lasts also affects pay considerations, with longer commitments rewarded more highly. Furthermore, being open to diverse locations and clinical settings wins the highest possible compensation potential versus picking and choosing only specific options.
Travel Therapy Agency Leveraged
The agency a traveling therapist registers with has a major influence on pay rates and overall offerings obtained. Some staffing firms have greater industry reach and negotiating power. Familiarizing yourself with the highest paying travel therapy companies ensures scoring maximum pay.
Average Salaries: Travel PTs vs. Staff PTs
So how do salaries ultimately compare between travel PT jobs versus permanent staff positions? Let’s analyze typical earnings side-by-side:
The median salary for a staff physical therapist in 2022 was $95,620 annually or around $46 per hour according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those working in hospitals, private practices and skilled nursing facilities tended to fall within this range based on setting.
However, when taking on travel assignments, average compensation is often 15-30% higher. Based on data from top industry staffing agencies, travel PTs can expect to earn between $75-$90 per hour or $112,500-$135,000+ yearly when accepting diverse roles across the U.S.
The increased pay accounts for higher living costs when on the road versus staff PTs who reside permanently near just one clinic. And healthcare facilities depend on attracting locum tenens via compensation to fill clinical gaps short-term with qualified talent.
In essence, travel PT roles exchange stability for substantially boosted paydays. For those comfortable being on the move to wherever opportunity lies, the rewards can be well worth it.
Top Paying Settings and Specializations
While travel PT salaries range widely based on assorted variables discussed, these key settings and therapy specializations currently offer the highest income potential in the field:
Hospitals
Assignments within leading hospitals systems tend to pay exceptionally well for qualified candidates. Large, prestigious metropolitan hospitals aim to attract top talent to support clinical excellence and positive outcomes. Travel PTs can expect to earn $90+ per hour.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
While less glamorous settings than big-name hospitals perhaps, skilled nursing home and rehab centers frequently offer lucrative compensation packages amid nationwide demand. Specializing in geriatrics care is useful here as well. Rates between $85-95 per hour are common.
Schools and Pediatric Clinics
With youth athletics injuries and special needs diagnoses on the rise, school-based and pediatric therapy roles earn strong salaries too. Those with targeted qualifications for improving children’s movement and coordination abilities can net $80-90 per hour typically.
Neuro Rehabilitation Centers
For travel PTs with proven skills in restoring function after spinal cord injuries, strokes, or neurological diseases, rehab facility positions present strong options coast-to-coast – and salaries from $88-100 per hour accordingly.
Home Health Services
While taxing work driving directly to patients’ homes, home health travel PT opportunities help insurance providers and government programs contain costs through lower overhead. Lucrative hourly rates up to $100 make the mobile roles worthwhile for many.
In addition, sought-after specializations like sports medicine, orthopedic therapy and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation also secure elevated travel pay rates when proven expertise can be showcased. Never hesitate to flaunt niche credentials that set you apart!
Table: Salary ranges for top paying travel PT specialties and settings
| Setting/Specialty | Average Yearly Salary Range | Average Hourly Rate Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | $130,000-$160,000+ | $90-$110+ per hour |
| Skilled Nursing Facilities | $120,000-$150,000+ | $85-$95 per hour |
| Schools & Pediatric Clinics | $100,000-$140,000 | $80-$90 per hour |
| Neuro Rehabilitation Centers | $110,000-$150,000+ | $88-$100 per hour |
| Home Health Services | $120,000-$160,000 | $90-$100 per hour |
Perks and Benefits
Beyond lucrative salaries that beat permanent staff roles, travel therapist opportunities come loaded with enviable perks as well when negotiating job contracts. Some awesome benefits to look for include:
**Generous Housing & Meal Stipends: **Quality furnished housing and daily food allowances offset your biggest road expenses nicely. Standard stipends provide $2,000+ monthly for lodging and $500+ for meals depending on location costs.
Paid Certifications & Licensure: Renewing state licenses and professional credentials gets expensive annually. Many agencies cover these mandatory career costs.
Free Continuing Education: Traveling for work makes getting to conferences tricky, so employers offer ample free online CEUs towards required renewal hours instead.
Flexible Schedules: Assignments allow tailoring weekly schedules around your personal pace and preferences, no questions asked. Want to work just 3 days after a move? No problem!
Pet/Family Accommodations: Many modern housing options cater towards accommodating families and pets so you don’t have to abandon them for new opportunities. Always ask an agency about these offerings upfront if it factors for you!
Health/PTO Benefits: While no career ladder stability exists, full health/dental insurance and some paid time away maintains coverage should any injuries or fatigue strike during your travels.
**Sign-On & Completion Bonuses: **Scoring new assignments sometimes allows negotiating $5,000+ sign-on bonuses. And finishing longer contracts earns tidy completion bonuses too.
**401K Contribution Matching **: Some agencies even offer matching funds towards retirement savings for assignments over set durations – a rare and highly valuable perk!
Optimizing Your Travel PT Paycheck
If racking up adventures while raking in the big bucks sounds enticing, follow these key tips for scoring peak travel therapist compensation at every exciting new stop:
Gain In-Demand Specialty Expertise – Coveted niche credentials in orthopedics, neurology and other specialty disciplines fast-track access to premium-paying opportunities across all settings nationally.
Consider High Cost-of-Living Areas – Large metropolitan regions typically pay handsomely to match taller local living expenses. Never rule out taking that dream job in NYC, the Bay Area or Honolulu solely based on sticker shock salaries!
Temporarily Relocate for Tax Benefits – Changing state residency for higher tax locales tactically during travel assignments means more take-home income stays in your pocket short-term.
**Extend Contracts For Bigger Bonuses **– Agreeing to longer contracts not only feels more stable but earns elevated completion bonus rewards from grateful employers too.
Moonlight Locally For Overtime – Many travel therapists pick up extra weekend shifts at neighboring hospitals or home health agencies, capitalizing on overtime and inflated hourly wages.
Leverage Staffing Agency Negotiating Power – Don’t be shy asking seasoned agency partners to go to bat securing you the absolute highest salaries and perks possible. It’s quite literally their job!
Follow the above tips religiously to fully capitalize on the high earning potential that awaits as an in-demand travel PT. Why settle for average staff job stability and pay when you can log exciting new adventures while optimizing income? Take the leap – your dream salary and lifestyle awaits!
How much do travel physical therapists make in New York
For physical therapists looking for a large city lifestyle with high income, there are a lot of chances in New York and the surrounding area. Skilled doctors come from all over the world to practice in one of the most culturally vibrant and entertainment-rich areas in the United States.
From illustrious hospitals to skilled nursing institutions, more than 1,250 healthcare establishments in New York are currently seeking temporary rehabilitation therapists. An increase in pay for travel physical therapists is necessary due to the extremely high cost of living in the New York City metropolitan area.
What Are the Potential Earnings?
The average salary for a physical therapist on the road in the Empire State in 2021 was:*
Compensation: $123,000 to $152,000 per year and above
Rates: $95 to $115 per hour and more
The skyrocketing cost of living in the area means that therapeutic roles in New York City and the surrounding areas pay considerably more:
Salary Range: $140,000 to $170,000 Per Annum
Rates: $110–$130 per hour
For those with specific skill sets, top facilities are offering hourly pay of $125 or more, and they are actively recruiting the greatest rehabilitation expertise in the country. The most prestigious local institutions, such as New York Presbyterian and the Hospital for Special Surgery, offer assignments at the highest possible salary rates.
Also, because state taxes eat up a sizable chunk of most people’s paychecks, smart travel physical therapists can legally settle somewhere else for the 8-12 weeks they’re assigned to New York. This could result in further tax savings of more than $15,000, subject to the legislation of the home state. For individuals who are up for a fast-paced lifestyle, New York travel therapy employment offer a fantastic blend of stability, adventure, and income. reasons, and only ways out. Together, we can find a positive solution to this problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What taxes & expenses should be accounted for?
Besides federal/state income taxes, be prepared for licensing costs, insurance copays, transportation fuel and housing expenses beyond stipends depending on locations. Tracking deductions like cellphone use, scrubs, CEUs etc. also helps lower taxable income. Consulting a tax specialist helps devise savings strategies.
Will my salary stay the same in rural or urban settings?
Not always – higher salaries aim to offset elevated living costs in metropolitan areas versus rural regions with lower costs of living. Yet rarely do earnings fluctuate more than 10-15%, especially within the same state. Remember that stipends also help tremendously in higher cost areas.
Do all contracts and settings provide ample housing & meal stipends?
While very common as it acknowledges remote therapists uniquely high costs, smaller private clinics rarely offer stipends unfortunately. Seeking diverse hospital/rehab/home health roles tends to ensure the best range of salaries AND daily living financial assistance. Never be shy to request details upfront.
Is travel therapy more lucrative than staff jobs with overtime?
Potentially – while staff therapists can rack up OT with extra shifts, they face paying full taxes plus living costs from those higher gross wages locally. Travel OT with inflated base rates AND stipends helps put more money into your own pocket in the end analysis. Crunch the math carefully.
How easy is securing enough assignments annually for year-round work?
While periods like winter holidays see lower demand fluctuations, staffing agencies pride themselves on placing therapists in new settings every 8-13 weeks typically thanks to high market needs. Many even keep new contracts lined up before current ones end! Just remain flexible re: timing and locations.
Conclusion
Are you considering quitting your physical therapy career to travel more? As shown, locum tenens therapists with diverse clinical backgrounds can earn an additional 25%, often $160,000+ each year! Physical therapy professions that entail travel can be lucrative when you include highly sought-after subspecialties like orthopedics and desired benefits like paid housing. A travel physical therapist career lets you work in multiple states and clinical environments while making a good salary.
Experienced traveling therapists can enhance their revenue by following our exclusive tips on contract negotiation, skill acquisition, and area tax planning. Why stay a staff therapist when your dream career and income are waiting? Contact leading agencies today to start a rewarding, well-paid, and purpose-driven travel career.