Understanding Travel Physical Therapy Benefits: What to Expect

Travel physical therapy offers more than just the opportunity to explore new places. It also comes with unique financial and lifestyle perks, including a comprehensive benefits package. While there are some common offerings across staffing companies, the details will vary between companies. Whether you're new to travel PT or considering a switch in agencies, understanding what to expect from your benefits is essential to making informed decisions.

Let’s break down the most common benefits offered to travel PTs and highlight how they can differ depending on the company you work with.

1. Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Most agencies offer medical, dental, and vision coverage through large national providers but not all plans are created equal.

What to expect:

• Insurance may start on day one, the next calendar month, or after 30 days.

• Premiums, deductibles, and network coverage vary widely.

• Many companies offer multiple plan options and some may offer a HSA option.

Tip: Ask for a copy of the benefits summary before accepting a contract so you can compare.

2. 401(k) Retirement Plans

Many staffing agencies offer 401(k) plans with the option of employer matching — but again, the specifics will likely differ between companies

Details to look for:

• When do you become eligible to contribute?

• Is there a company match? If so, how much and when will the match start?

• Is the match vested immediately or after a certain period?

Some agencies may not offer a 401(k) at all — so then you would have to look into an IRA if you do not have one already.

3. Housing Stipends or Provided Housing

This is one of the most appealing benefits of travel PT — but also one of the most variable.

Two common options:

• Free, company-arranged housing (usually fully furnished; likely in areas such as Hawaii, Alaska, or tourist heavy areas like ski towns that are provided to you through the a hospital)

• Tax-free housing stipend (you find your own housing, and keep the difference if rent is lower)

Stipend amounts vary based on location, cost of living, and federal GSA rates.

4. Travel Reimbursement

Most agencies offer reimbursement for your travel to your assignment.

Look for:

• Whether airfare or rental cars are included

• Limits or caps on reimbursement amounts

Some companies may pay this upfront but most likely will reimburse you after your assignment starts.

5. Licensure, onboarding, and CEU Reimbursement

Potential benefits:

• Full reimbursement for state license fees

• Reimbursement payment for fingerprinting, onboarding, CEU courses (or access to a platform like Medbridge), etc.

• You will also have access to a dedicated credentialing team to assist with paperwork, licensing requirements, and other related processes

  Tip: Save your receipts!

6. Flexibility and Time Off Between Assignments

One of the biggest benefits of travel PT is the built-in flexibility between contracts.

While most agencies don’t offer traditional paid time off (PTO) like salaried jobs do, you can have unlimited unpaid time off often with continued access to your benefits.

Here’s how it works:

• Most companies give you a 20–30 day window between contracts where your benefits (like health and dental insurance) remain active.

• You can take a few weeks or even a full month off between assignments without losing your coverage.

• There's no need to request PTO as you control your schedule.

For comparison, a full-time permanent PT job usually offers 2–4 weeks of PTO per year, often with very limited flexibility. As a travel PT, you could take 3 months off per year, spread out how you like, and still likely earn more than many full-time clinicians — all while only working 9 months out of the year.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to travel PT, your benefits package can have a huge impact on your financial well-being and overall experience. That’s why it’s so important to ask questions, request details in writing, and compare offers from multiple agencies before making a decision.

Remember: The best company for you isn’t just the one offering the highest pay . It is the one that is well-rounded and provides a benefits package that aligns with your needs and goals. Travel physical therapy gives you the freedom and flexibility to create a lifestyle that works for you — one that full-time roles often can’t match.