Pay package basics
What's a typical weekly pay for a travel PT?
Most travel PT contracts fall in the $1,800 – $2,600/week range for a 40-hour week. Acute care and IRF contracts run higher ($2,100 – $2,800); SNF, outpatient, and schools run lower ($1,700 – $2,200). Desperate or underserved contracts can exceed $3,000/week. See pay by setting.
What's the difference between "contract rate" and "bill rate"?
Your contract rate (or pay package) is what you receive from the agency. The bill rate is what the facility pays the agency — separate from your pay and usually higher. You negotiate your contract rate; you never see or negotiate the bill rate, and good recruiters don't use that term when talking about your pay.
Why is the "taxable hourly" so low on my offer?
Agencies deliberately weight pay packages toward stipends because stipends are non-taxable (with a valid tax home). This puts more money in your pocket and lowers the agency's payroll tax burden. It's standard practice and IRS-tolerated as long as you maintain a genuine tax home.
Are stipends guaranteed?
Yes, the agency contractually owes you the stipends as part of your pay package. What's not always guaranteed is that they'll be tax-free to you — that depends on your tax home status. If the IRS determines your tax home is invalid, the stipends remain yours (the agency already paid them), but you'll owe tax on them retroactively.
Tax home
What counts as a valid tax home?
You need: (1) duplicate expenses — paying for a residence somewhere you're not currently living, (2) regular business at that location — you return periodically for work or income-generating activity, (3) temporary intent — each assignment is under 12 months. Full explanation or deeper dive at traveltherapytax.com.
Can I rent from my parents to establish a tax home?
Only if it's a real arrangement — documented lease, market-rate rent, actual paper trail. A $50/month informal arrangement won't survive an audit. The IRS looks for genuine duplicate expenses, not paper fictions.
What happens if I don't have a tax home?
Your stipends become taxable wages. You pay federal, state (where applicable), and FICA taxes on what would have been tax-free money. Effective take-home drops 20-30%. If you're caught retroactively in an audit, you owe back taxes plus penalties for every year involved.
Can I work in the same metro area indefinitely?
No. If you work in the same metro area for more than 12 months (even at different facilities through different agencies), the IRS considers that your new tax home. Your original tax home is "abandoned" and all future stipends there become taxable. The 12-month rule is strict.
Negotiation & contracts
Can I negotiate pay on travel contracts?
Almost always yes — and you should. Agencies expect negotiation. Your leverage depends on how desperate the facility is and how easily they can replace you. See the leverage signals.
What's a reasonable counter-offer?
Usually $100-$300/week above the initial offer on standard contracts, $300-$500+ on contracts with clear desperation signals. Counter with a specific number tied to a specific reason ("given this has been open for 8 weeks, I'd need $X to take it"), not a vague "can you do better?"
What are "guaranteed hours" and should I ask for them?
Guaranteed hours means you get paid for scheduled hours even if the facility cancels or sends you home early due to low census. Without guarantees, you can lose significant pay on a slow week. Always ask. Many SNF and acute contracts come with guarantees; outpatient usually does; home health often doesn't (per-visit model).
Should I take the first contract I'm offered?
Usually no. Travelers who wait 2-3 weeks for the right contract routinely earn 15-25% more than those who take the first decent offer. Desperation signals accumulate on open roles over time, shifting leverage toward later applicants.
What if the recruiter says "this is our best offer"?
Sometimes it is; often it isn't. If the contract has strong desperation signals (weeks open, re-posted, urgency language), "best offer" is a negotiation-closing phrase rather than a real ceiling. Politely decline and ask them to come back to you if the rate changes. Sometimes they come back the next day.
Benefits & practical concerns
Do travel PT jobs include health insurance?
Most agencies offer health insurance, but it's often more expensive and less comprehensive than what a staff position provides. Many travelers buy ACA marketplace coverage instead — can be cheaper with subsidies and more portable across contracts. Some travelers use their spouse's insurance. Short-term health plans (12-month, renewable) are also increasingly popular.
Do I get paid time off?
Generally no in the traditional sense. Travel contracts are structured around hours worked — if you take a week off mid-contract, you don't get paid for that week. Some agencies offer PTO accrual programs but they're unusual and often come with reduced stipends. Plan your time off between contracts.
What happens if the facility cancels my contract early?
Depends on the contract. Cancellation clauses vary — 1-week notice, 2-week notice, cause-only, etc. Read the cancellation section specifically before signing. Some contracts include early-termination protection where the agency pays a portion if the facility cancels; others leave you without income and housing on short notice.
How long are travel PT contracts?
13 weeks is standard. 8-week contracts exist (usually crisis-rate). Extensions of 13 weeks are common after a successful first contract. 26-week contracts exist but usually come with slightly lower weekly pay because the facility is trading pay for commitment.
Do I need to have my state license before accepting a contract?
Yes for the state where the facility is located. Travel therapy is state-specific — a California license doesn't let you practice in Texas. Compact states (through the PT Compact) allow faster cross-state privileges for participating states. More at traveltherapylicensure.com.
New travelers
How much experience do I need to start traveling?
Most agencies require 1+ year of post-license experience in your target setting. New grads can travel but options are narrower — some agencies specialize in new-grad contracts (with lower pay and more mentorship), and SNF is the most accessible setting for new travelers because of volume and standardized expectations.
What's the biggest mistake new travel PTs make?
Taking the first contract that looks decent because they're afraid they won't get another offer. Agencies rely on that pressure. The reality is there are always contracts — patience gets you a 15-25% better contract. Don't anchor to the first offer.
Should I use multiple agencies?
Yes. 2-3 agencies give you better coverage of the market without becoming unmanageable. Different agencies have different facility relationships and see different contracts. Just be clear with each recruiter about what you're looking for so they don't waste time.
What should I bring up on a first recruiter call?
Setting preferences, state preferences, timing, tax home status, license status, and any specific requirements (guaranteed hours, specific pay targets, avoid-this-list). Also ask them: what's their agency's approach to pay transparency? Do they show line-by-line breakdowns? How long have they been recruiting PTs specifically?
Still have questions?
Get in touch via our match form and connect with recruiters who will answer every question you have before you sign anything.