Top 3 Mistakes Travel Physical Therapists Make

When I started travel physical therapy back in 2021, I had already educated myself on various important topics. For instance, I made sure to set up a legitimate tax home prior to traveling. Next, I knew what to expect for a fair pay range, so I could negotiate when needed. Lastly, I knew that working with multiple travel companies in my job search would provide me with the best options for my specific needs.

However, I still knew I did not have it all figured out, and it would be a work in progress while I navigate through travel assignments. I knew that staying flexible, learning from each experience, and continually seeking advice would be key to making the most of my travel PT journey.

Here are the top three mistakes that I see new travel physical therapists make and how to address each.

1. Not maintaining a tax home

For travel physical therapists, to qualify for tax-free travel stipends under the IRS rules, you generally need to meet at least 2 of these 3 requirements for your tax home:

1. Work/Income from Your Tax Home Area
   You conduct part of your work in the area of your tax home and use that home for lodging when you are working locally. You could do this by working prn during or between assignments.

2. Duplicate Living Expenses
   You continue to pay for living expenses at your tax home such as rent, mortgage, or utilities.

3. Do Not Abandon Your Tax Home
   You maintain ties to your tax home area. For example, you regularly return to it for lodging, showing it remains your established home base. A general rule of thumb is spending at least 30 days per year at your tax home.

You do not want to put yourself in a situation where you owe thousands of dollars in taxes and penalties because you did not play by the rules.

Note: This is NOT tax advice and reflects only my own research/personal experience. You should consult a tax professional who specializes in travel therapy to understand your specific situation.

2. Not negotiating contract pay

The individuals most vulnerable to being lowballed by recruiters are new grads and those new to travel. It’s important to know that the majority of travel physical therapy contracts in 2025 pay roughly $1,800–$2,200 per week after taxes, though this depends on location, setting, and your experience.

Compare offers to other job postings to ensure you’re getting a fair rate. If you see the same position listed at a higher rate through another source, you can ask the company to match it, but do not apply for the same job through two travel agencies, as you will probably be denied from job entirely.

As a starting point, I would personally begin negotiations at around $100 more per week, which is generally reasonable. If the position is in high demand, this may not be possible, so consider negotiating other aspects of the contract, such as hours, shift length, or days off, if adjusting pay isn’t feasible.

If you’re offered an extension, you should absolutely negotiate your pay. The company would rather retain you than train a new therapist and handle all the credentialing paperwork for them.

Don’t feel pressured to accept the first job offer you receive, even if your recruiter suggests otherwise. The travel physical therapy market has been strong for several years, and with so many opportunities available, there’s no need to make an impulsive decision.

3. Not working with more than one travel agency

If you only work with one travel therapy agency, you’ll limit your options during your job search. The sweet spot is typically working with 2–3 recruiters from different companies.

Working with more than three can quickly become overwhelming with all the required paperwork such as skills checklists, references, and other requirements. However, by working with multiple agencies, you can:

• Compare benefits to find what best fits your needs

• Negotiate and compare job offers for better pay or perks

• Access exclusive jobs that may only be available through certain companies

If you’re very specific about your preferred setting or location, consider partnering with three agencies to give yourself the best chance of finding exactly what you want.

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