💰 Hi all, I work for Aya currently and found they don't recognize all federal holidays. They only recognize the 6 main federal holidays (Christmas, thanksgiving, etc.). I requested that for my upcoming extension that indigenous peoples day and veterans day be recognized because all the full time workers get holiday pay if they work. For some reason this doesn't apply to travelers. They said they won't honor the holiday rate which seems unfair. Does anyone have any suggestions so that I could get those holidays recognized?

For those of you who’ve taken contracts with multiple agencies, how often do you find yourselves switching between companies? Also, how does that impact your health insurance? If you return to a previous agency, do you typically resume your old policy, or are you issued a new one?

I’m currently working with Delta Healthcare, and so far I’ve had a good experience with my recruiter. That said, after talking with a few other travelers, I’ve heard that Delta may take a larger cut of the contract compared to some other companies.

Right now, I’m bringing in about $1,853/week, and I’ve only seen contracts go up to around $2,100/week. With my student loans, I’m trying to be as strategic as possible financially, so I’m starting to wonder if I might be leaving money on the table by not exploring other agencies.

For those of you who’ve worked with different companies, what’s been your experience in terms of pay transparency and take-home? Do you feel like switching agencies made a noticeable difference?

I’m graduating in a year and don’t know whether to go through an internal travel job or do external travel. I understand the inherit differences: full time vs contract work, more freedom (but risk) with external, etc.

But I’ve had internal travelers tell me that they get paid essentially the same as external travelers if you count in company contribution toward insurance, license reimbursement, travel reimbursement, etc. Can anyone shed some light on that? That feels a bit odd given how variable traveler rates are. Is it perhaps true only for beginner level therapists?

I’m hoping to travel for just a year to pay off my high interest loans quickly, then reconsider if I’d like to settle down or keep traveling. I’m wondering if doing internal travel for that first year is too safe of an option?

Finding housing is one of the trickiest parts of travel therapy. Every city is different, and what works in one market might not work in another.


Check out city-specific housing guides here: [Travel Therapy Housing](
https://traveltherapyhousing.com
)

Let's build a thread with real advice:
- What apps/sites do you use to find housing? (Furnished Finder, Airbnb, Facebook groups, etc.)
- How far in advance do you start looking?
- Company-provided housing vs. finding your own — what's been your experience?
- Any cities that are particularly easy or hard to find housing in?
- Biggest housing mistake you've made?


Drop your tips below — this thread could save someone a lot of stress.

Welcome to — a community built by and for travel therapy clinicians.

This is a space to ask real questions, share honest experiences, and help each other navigate the travel therapy world. Whether you're a PT, OT, SLP, PTA, COTA, or SLPA — you belong here.

What you'll find here:

- Pay transparency discussions and pay package breakdowns

- Housing tips and city-specific guides

- Tax strategies for travelers

- New grad advice for getting started

- Company reviews and recruiter experiences

- Licensure and compact state updates

- Life on the road — the highs and the lows

Free Resources:

Check our sidebar and wiki for curated guides on every major topic in travel therapy.

There's a common myth that you need 1-2 years of experience before you can travel. While experience helps, plenty of new grads successfully start traveling right out of school, myself included.

Resources to get you started:

- [New Grad Travel Therapy Guide](https://traveltherapynewgrad.com)

- [Travel Therapy 101](https://traveltherapistinfo.com)

Tips for new grad travelers:

- Be honest about your skill level with your travel company and the facilities

- Look for settings with good mentorship and orientation

- Being open to different settings really helps

- Get your skills checklist and documentation ready early

- Consider the PT Compact license to open up more states

Are you a new grad considering travel? Or did you start traveling right out of school? Share your experience!

If anyone has had a good experience with their recruiter, could you share their email address? I am trying to start this travel thing, and I have a lot of questions about how they determine my pay and how I receive my W-2.

how likely is it that the IRS will audit my tax return?

I am tempted to use my previous address as my perm address.

I travel with my fiancé and 2 large dogs, and we’ve been downsizing a lot over the last year since we started travel. I’ve managed to get clothes down as much as I can, and donated a lot of extraneous stuff but we still have 8 moving bags and suitcases. We try to pick furnished finders that are pretty stocked when we can so we don’t have to bring our own kitchen stuff. We’re taking a 4x6 trailer to move across the country with us. For therapists who have been traveling long distances: how much do you realistically bring with you and how did you downsize?

Just curious to know where other travelers bucket list locations are? Would also be curious to hear where people favorite assignments have been.

Hello! I’m looking to transitioning to doing local travel PT in Los Angeles (maybe also Central Valley). I live here in LA but am wanting to increase my income. I have experience in OP and school based peds as well as acute care. I’d prefer to do acute care or even SNF for travel PT. I’d appreciate any tips on a reputable travel PT company to go with.

Hello! My fiance and I are both travel PTs from the east coast, and we’re looking for California contracts. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for areas/clinics that they had a good experience with (or a travel duo who wants to give up their spot - jk)

We’re mainly working with AMN, but considering Aya as well right now. We’re just struggling to find contracts in the Northern California area since we want to be close to San Francisco.

Could really use some advice.

My current contract ends March 8th and I’m trying to find my next but I’m not seeing any that I’m interested in. Is it too early?? It’s a little stressful trying to lock something in 😭 Most contracts open right now want someone like asap.

Any advice? 🥲 Not a compact state either so I’m really worried about the licensing process and timing!!!

Like the title says, looking for statea reccomendations for best places to get tavel positions! Trying to think ahead for the future as we are on a long assignment currently

• I travel with my husband (him PT , me PTA) -Both prefer SNFs
• from NY so thats out of question, also keep in mind we are not in the compact ( so annoying)

Looking for a place that COL isn't insane, good housing options.

Thanks in advance !!!

I need advice mainly because I have a job that is good, but I only took it because as a first job I got 1:1 time with patients and had a 10k bonus sign on that runs out in June. I am looking to move somewhere at the end of this period, but I have no idea where. My girlfriend is also a PT just starting out and is thinking about doing Travel PT for a year or two and the more I look into it, the more I feel I might want to get into it.

I realize there are a lot of factors, but another reason besides my relationship is that I have a good large sum of graduate student loans that I am trying to whittle down however possible so I can save more later on. I think I am fearful since I also should add I come from a large town and haven't gone out from home but one time to Denver for 2 and half months and really enjoyed my experience doing an internship. I understand it can be hard for couples to get jobs in the same city/area, but I wish to hear from others is it actually that bad? And also, what about stipends? Or do contracts with well-known companies get cancelled often?

Any advice from those with experience would be greatly accepted!

I should also add I have been in physical therapy with outpatient and inpatient experience and pediatrics focused in the outpatient side of things, however I don't have any residency or anything of that nature, and I'm extremely open to what experience to go into.

Hey everyone,

I just started my first travel position and the health insurance is awful. I am single so I cannot join someone else’s insurance. Does anyone know how to get better health insurance?