Travel or Staff? Your Quick Guide

Staff PT:

• Permanent, full-time employment at one facility
• Indefinite commitment (until you quit or are terminated)
• Fixed location—you live in one place
• The facility directly employs you

Travel PT:

• Temporary, contract-based assignments (typically 13 weeks)
• One contract at a time (no obligation to extend or return, although you can if you want )
• Flexible location—you move to different cities every 3-6 months
• A staffing agency places you at facilities as a W-2 employee

 Staff PT:

• Salary: $70,000-85,000/year (varies by market)
• All compensation is taxable
• Benefits: Health insurance (50-80% employer-covered), 401k match, PTO (10-20 days/year)
• Bonuses: Sign-on ($2,000-10,000) and retention bonuses common

Travel PT:

• Gross pay: $75,000-100,000/year (working 39-52 weeks)
• Blended pay: Taxable hourly wage ($25-35/hr) + tax-free stipends ($1,500-2,500/week for housing/meals)
• Benefits: Health insurance (varies by agency, often less generous), 401k available, no PTO
• Bonuses: Completion bonuses ($500-2,000 per contract)

 Staff PT:

• Ongoing employment (as long as you perform well)
• Predictable schedule and income
• Protection: More difficult to terminate without cause
• Career growth: Promotion opportunities (senior PT, team lead, clinic director)

Travel PT:

• Contract-based: Position ends after 13 weeks (extension possible but not guaranteed)
• Unpredictable: Contracts can be canceled early (rare but happens)
• No promotions: You're always the temporary hire
• Income gaps: If you take time off between contracts

 Staff PT:

• Structured onboarding: 1-2 weeks of training, shadowing, gradual ramp-up
• Ongoing mentorship: Access to senior PTs, weekly check-ins, continuing education
• Specialization: Time to develop expertise in one setting or patient population
• Support: Team-based environment, colleagues available for questions

Travel PT:

• Minimal onboarding: Often 1-2 days, then full caseload
• Limited mentorship: Facilities expect independence from Day 1
• Broad exposure: Work in multiple settings, states, and systems quickly
• Isolation: You're often the only traveler, less built-in support

 Staff PT:

• Fixed location: Build a life in one city (buy a house, establish roots)
• Routine: Same commute, same coworkers, same patient population
• Relationships: Easier to maintain long-term friendships, romantic relationships
• Commitment: Harder to relocate (must quit, search for new job)

Travel PT:

• Geographic freedom: Live in different cities every 3-6 months
• Variety: New settings, new teams, new challenges constantly
• Relationships: Difficult to maintain deep connections, often isolated
• Flexibility: Take weeks or months off between contracts without "quitting"

 Staff PT:

• Continuing education: Employer often pays for courses, certifications
• Specialty development: Time to pursue OCS, CMPT, pelvic health cert, etc.
• Networking: Build professional relationships in one community
• Leadership: Opportunities to mentor students, supervise PTAs, manage teams

Travel PT:

• Continuing education: Self-funded (some agencies offer small stipends)
• Broad skills: Rapid exposure to different clinical approaches and patient populations
• Networking: Meet PTs across the country, see different practice models
• Resume building: Demonstrates adaptability, independence, diverse experience