Travel Physical Therapy Pay vs Staff PT Salary

Many physical therapists wonder how travel physical therapy pay compares to traditional staff PT salaries and whether it is worth it. Once you run the numbers, it becomes clear that travel PT can let you earn significantly more while taking more time off, giving you both financial freedom and lifestyle flexibility.

Below are several examples showing after-tax take-home pay to illustrate the difference. Keep in mind that permanent staff PT salaries are listed as gross pay, while travel PT jobs are typically quoted as net weekly pay (after taxes). I have outlined the math here for you.

Example 1: Average New Grad – Staff PT vs Travel PT

Let's say you take the average new grad job out of school and want to compare it to a common new grad PT travel job.

Staff PT:

• Salary: $75,000/year

• PTO: 3 weeks

• Effective tax rate: ~22% (depends on state)

• Take-home pay: $75,000 × (1 − 0.22) = $58,500

Travel PT:

• Weekly pay: $2,000 after taxes

• Weeks worked: 49 (3 weeks off)

• Take-home pay: 49 × $2,000 = $98,000

To match the staff PT take-home pay, you would only need to work 29 weeks, leaving 23 weeks off (nearly half the year!) as a travel PT while still earning the same as a staff PT. Insane!

Example 2: New Grad Higher-Paying Staff PT Job vs Travel PT Job

Let’s say you land a staff PT job out of school with a higher salary and more generous PTO, and you want to compare it to an average travel PT position.

Staff PT:

• Salary: $85,000/year

• PTO: 4 weeks

• Effective tax rate: ~20% (depends on state)

• Take-home pay: $85,000 × (1 − 0.20) = $68,000

Travel PT:

• Weekly pay: $2,100 after taxes

• Weeks worked: 48 (4 weeks off)

• Take-home pay: 48 × $2,100 = $100,800

To match the staff PT salary, you would only need to work 32–33 weeks as a travel PT, giving you 19–20 weeks off while still earning the same amount.

Want to take three months off during the year, such as for the summer, as a travel physical therapist? You would still make about $82,000 after taxes, which is well above the staff PT position with another 2 months off.

Example 3: Experienced Staff PT vs Travel PT Contract

Let’s say you earn a good salary as an experienced PT but are considering travel therapy.

Staff PT:

• Salary: $100,000/year

• PTO: 6 weeks

• Effective tax rate: ~20% (depends on state)

• Take-home pay: $100,000 × (1 − 0.20) = $80,000

Travel PT:

• Weekly pay: $2,400 after taxes

• Weeks worked: 46 (6 weeks off)

• Take-home pay: 46 × $2,400 = $110,400

Even with working the same amount of time, travel PT offers about $30,000 more in take-home pay than a six-figure staff PT salary.

Example 4: Maximizing Salary as a Travel PT

Let's say you wanted to take just a week off between assignments throughout the year to maximize your pay.

• Weeks worked: 48

• Weekly pay: $2,400 after taxes

• Take-home pay: 48 × $2,400 = $115,200

This is roughly equivalent to a $140,000 staff PT salary (before taxes depending on state), while still giving you about a month off.

Example 5: Travel PT Taking 6 Months Off in a Year

Let's say you want to take 6 months off while on a $2,200/week travel physical therapy contract.

• Weeks worked: 26

• Take-home pay: 26 × $2,200 = $57,200

• Equivalent staff salary: ~$70,000

Even working half the year, you can still earn close to what a staff PT makes while enjoying significant time off.

Why Travel PT Pay Can Be Superior

1. Tax-free stipends: Contracts include housing and travel reimbursements, which reduce taxable income and increase effective pay.

2. Flexibility: Travel PT lets you structure your assignments and breaks to maximize both income and time off.

3. True comparison: Always compare staff PT after-tax salary vs travel PT weekly pay after taxes. Otherwise, it’s easy to underestimate the advantage of travel contracts.

Bottom line: Travel PT provides you financial freedom and control over your schedule. When you run the numbers and account for taxes and stipends travel therapy allows you to work less, earn more, and enjoy life on your terms.