If you’re a licensed physical therapist with a passion for patient care and a taste for adventure, travel physical therapy (PT) might be the career move you didn’t know you needed.

Many physical therapists look into traveling because it offers higher pay, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to explore new cities and clinical settings.

But how do you know if it’s the right fit for you? Let’s explore what travel PT entails, the potential perks, and the lifestyle factors to consider before taking the leap.

What Is Travel Physical Therapy?

Travel physical therapy refers to short-term assignments where licensed PTs work at healthcare facilities across the country. Most assignments last 8 to 13 weeks, though some extend longer.

Instead of working at one permanent location, travel PTs rotate between various clinical environments. This variety can include hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation centers, and even home health settings.

If you’re interested in traveling, we can match you with roles that suit your lifestyle, goals, and professional experience.

Key Benefits of a Travel Physical Therapy Career

Before diving into logistics, it’s helpful to understand what draws so many therapists into the travel lifestyle. Spoiler: It’s more than just great pay.

Higher Earning Potential
One of the biggest draws of travel physical therapy is the compensation.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that physical therapists earn a median salary of over $100,000. And travel PTs can often earn significantly more when factoring in housing stipends, bonuses, and tax advantages.

Flexibility & Adventure
Want to work three months in Arizona before heading to Oregon for the summer? Travel PT gives you that option.

If you value flexibility in your schedule and work environment, this career path lets you build in travel, downtime, or even location-based bucket list stops between assignments.

Diverse Clinical Experience
Working in different facilities exposes you to a wide range of patient populations, treatment protocols, and team dynamics.

This variety can sharpen your clinical skills, improve adaptability, and make you a more competitive candidate for future roles.

What to Consider Before Choosing Travel PT

Travel physical therapy isn’t all beachside contracts and adventure. Like any career move, it comes with trade-offs. Here are a few factors to think about.

Lifestyle Fit
Do you enjoy change or find comfort in routine? Travel PTs often relocate every few months. For some, it’s thrilling. For others, the lack of long-term roots or consistent coworkers can feel isolating.

Licensing & Paperwork
Each state has its own licensure requirements, and not all states are part of the PT Compact. Lucid Staffing helps you navigate the process, but it’s essential to stay organized and proactive about renewals and compliance.

Potential Downsides
Frequent moves can lead to travel fatigue. You may face inconsistent workflows, onboarding in unfamiliar settings, or limited benefits between assignments. That’s why working with a responsive, clinician-first staffing partner like Lucid is key.