Travel Physical Therapist Salary Guide
- Requirements
- Travel Physical Therapist Salary Insights
- Top Travel Physical Therapist Jobs
- Featured Blog Posts
- Salary Tips
- Travel Physical Therapist FAQs
A physical therapist treats movement issues caused by injuries, health conditions and disabilities. They evaluate patients and recommend ways to reduce pain, restore function and improve quality of life. Treatment may involve exercises or hands-on therapy, such as massage and stretching. PTs also counsel patients and help them manage their recovery process.
How do you become a physical therapist?
Aspiring physical therapists must earn a bachelor's degree, followed by a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT). DPT programs must receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
DPT programs combine classroom studies and clinical experience and usually take 3 years to complete. Some physical therapists continue to residencies or fellowships to specialize in an area of practice.
To work as a PT, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and obtain a license in the state where you wish to practice.
What credentials/licensing does a physical therapist require?
Once you pass the NPTE and have your physical therapist credentials, apply to your state's regulatory board for a license. Licensure requirements vary by state.
Travel PTs need a license for each state they practice in. The Physical Therapy Licensure Compact streamlines licensing for PTs who live and work in member states. However, only 28 states are actively issuing and accepting Compact privileges, and four more states and the District of Columbia have enacted legislation. However, they’re still in the process of implementing the Compact requirements before they can become active.
PTs interested in specific practice areas can earn additional specialty credentials to demonstrate expertise in the following:
Average Travel Physical Therapist Salary
$2,279/week
The average salary for a Travel Physical Therapist is $2,279 per week. This is 5% higher than the therapy US average of $2,164.
Last updated on October 17, 2026. Based on 42,883 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.
Salaries for Travel Physical Therapist compared to Therapist National Averages
$2,279/week
5% higher than the therapy US average.
$2,164/week
United States
Where do Travel Physical Therapists get paid the most?
Alaska pays Travel Physical Therapists the most, averaging $2,801 per week, followed by Nebraska ($2,619) and Minnesota ($2,571). California has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $4,830. For comparison, the national average for Travel Physical Therapists is $2,279 per week — Alaska pays 23% more.
| State | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $2,801 | $4,387 |
| Nebraska | $2,619 | $3,767 |
| Minnesota | $2,571 | $3,438 |
| Montana | $2,539 | $4,000 |
| Nevada | $2,515 | $3,413 |
| California | $2,500 | $4,830 |
| South Dakota | $2,459 | $3,101 |
| Vermont | $2,445 | $3,413 |
| Wisconsin | $2,444 | $3,413 |
| New Mexico | $2,427 | $3,526 |
| Wyoming | $2,420 | $3,074 |
| Maine | $2,419 | $3,306 |
| North Dakota | $2,410 | $3,300 |
| West Virginia | $2,394 | $3,435 |
| Idaho | $2,393 | $3,161 |
| Illinois | $2,388 | $3,523 |
| Michigan | $2,385 | $3,672 |
| Louisiana | $2,381 | $2,995 |
| Washington | $2,378 | $3,884 |
| New Hampshire | $2,343 | $3,140 |
What cities pay the most for Travel Physical Therapists?
Santa Ana, California pays Travel Physical Therapists the most, averaging $3,444 per week, followed by Baker, Montana ($3,320) and Kearney, Nebraska ($3,302). Baker, Montana has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $4,000. For comparison, the national average for Travel Physical Therapists is $2,279 per week — Santa Ana, California pays 51% more.
| City | Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Ana, California | $3,444 | $3,444 |
| Baker, Montana | $3,320 | $4,000 |
| Kearney, Nebraska | $3,302 | $3,767 |
| Reading, Massachusetts | $3,300 | $3,300 |
| South San Francisco, California | $3,180 | $3,180 |
| Pullman, Washington | $3,109 | $3,472 |
| Kankakee, Illinois | $3,089 | $3,170 |
| Lynn, Massachusetts | $3,082 | $3,534 |
| Wausau, Wisconsin | $2,987 | $3,057 |
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Travel Physical Therapist jobs?
Health Advocates Network - Allied pays Travel Physical Therapists the most, averaging $3,925 per week, followed by 3B Healthcare Inc. ($3,528) and Enterprise Solutions, Inc. ($3,470). Health Advocates Network - Allied also has the highest ceiling, with max weekly pay reaching $4,830. For comparison, the national average for Travel Physical Therapists is $2,279 per week — Health Advocates Network - Allied pays 72% more.
| Average Weekly Salary | Max Weekly Salary | |
|---|---|---|
| Health Advocates Network - Allied | $3,925 | $4,830 |
| 3B Healthcare Inc. | $3,528 | $3,528 |
| Enterprise Solutions, Inc. | $3,470 | $3,470 |
| Favorite Healthcare Staffing | $3,371 | $3,371 |
| HealthTrust Workforce Solutions CHS | $3,356 | $3,356 |
| FlexStaff | $3,246 | $3,246 |
| Lux Travel Nurse | $3,240 | $3,240 |
| CommonSpirit Health at Home | $3,209 | $3,329 |
| Remede Consulting Group | $3,167 | $3,167 |
| GlobalPoint | $3,148 | $4,000 |
Last updated on October 17, 2026. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.
Travel Physical Therapist Career Guide
Use our exclusive Career Guides to research the education, qualifications, skills and responsibilities for a variety of healthcare disciplines and specialties employers are hiring now.
Go to the guideTop Travel Physical Therapist Jobs
Physical Therapist
- Craig, Alaska
- Craig Health Center
- Scout Therapy Staffing LLC and 27 others
UP TO $4,387/wk
Physical Therapist
- Baker, Montana
- Fallon Medical Complex
- Scout Therapy Staffing LLC and 43 others
UP TO $4,000/wk
Physical Therapist
- Bethel, Alaska
- Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital
- Big Stone Staffing, LLC and 21 others
UP TO $3,714/wk
Physical Therapist
- Bethel, Alaska
- Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital
- Scout Therapy Staffing LLC and 18 others
UP TO $3,714/wk
Physical Therapist
- Kearney, Nebraska
- Good Samaritan Society
- Host Healthcare and 19 others
UP TO $3,767/wk
Get alerts about new jobs and salary trends
Be the first to know about new jobs for Physical Therapists with the salary that suits you.
How can you increase your pay as a travel physical therapist?
Physical therapists usually earn more in travel roles than in staff positions. Employers hire travel PTs to cover staffing shortfalls and usually provide better pay to entice practitioners to take temporary contracts.
Consider a career as a travel PT and take advantage of the higher pay for travel roles, especially where there's a strong demand for skilled PTs. Compare travel and staff pay for PTs in different states by determining whether destinations are relatively affordable but still offer competitive salaries.
How much does a travel physical therapist make?
On March 29, 2023, travel PTs earned an average weekly salary of $2,054, or $51.35 per hour divided by a standard 40-hour workweek.
Do travel physical therapists earn more than staff physical therapists?
Physical therapists usually earn more in travel roles than in staff positions. Employers hire travel PTs to cover staffing shortfalls and usually provide better pay to entice practitioners to take temporary contracts.
Staff PTs earned an average of $46.64 per hour, based on Vivian's data on March 29, 2023. This average works out to about $1,866 per week when multiplied by 40 hours for a standard workweek. In comparison, travel PTs earned an average weekly salary of $2,054 on the same date, about 10% more than staff PTs.
What states employ the most physical therapists?
There are 225,350 physical therapists in the United States, according to May 2021 BLS data. The largest number of PT jobs are in California, New York and Texas.
Featured Blog Posts
Featured Blog Posts
Travel Physical Therapist FAQs
What professional certifications can potentially increase my salary as a Physical Therapist?
Physical therapists can specialize in several fields, so numerous certifications may potentially increase your salary or qualify you for roles with greater responsibilities and better wages. The American Board of Physical Therapist Specialties offers numerous professional certificates in physical therapy by specialty, including:
Geriatrics Specialist (GCS)
Pediatric Certified Specialist (PCS)
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
Oncologic Certified Specialist (Oncology)
Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS)
Women’s Health Clinical Specialist (WCS)
Clinical Electrophysiologic Specialty (ECS)
Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Specialist (CCS)
Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS)
Can earning a degree improve my salary as a Physical Therapist?
Yes, advanced education often opens new career paths that usually lead to higher salaries. Physical therapists may benefit financially from pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT).
Where can I learn more about working as a Travel Physical Therapist?
Take a look at Vivian's Travel Physical Therapist Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.