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Occupational Therapist Jobs

Find high-paying occupational therapist jobs nationwide with Aya Healthcare and take your OT career to the next level. Apply now.

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Access Occupational Therapist Jobs Nationwide

If you’re looking for an occupational therapist job , we’ve got opportunities available throughout the country. No matter what your goals are, we’ll help you tackle them – whether it’s hitting the road to travel or finding a job close to home. Finding the perfect travel, permanent or per diem occupational therapist job is a breeze with Aya.

Employment Types For Occupational Therapists

Browse occupational therapist jobs in various settings.

Browse All OT Jobs

What School Occupational Therapist Jobs Are Available?

Interested in a school-based occupational therapist job ? Make an impact on students as a school OT with Aya Education and receive unmatched flexibility, benefits and pay. We have opportunities available in districts nationwide. Your Aya team will handle all of the details and provide best-in-class support throughout the process.

Search School Based OT Jobs

I have immensely enjoyed working with all the professionals of Aya. From my agent, Joe Rincon, to the onboarding staff, to payroll staff, everyone is incredibly professional, kind, and quick to respond to any of my questions or concerns. I especially want to give a shout-out to my agent Joe, who has truly proven to me he is looking out for my best interest. I have worked with other agencies but Aya takes the cake for sure! Erin O. Medical Professional

What Travel Occupational Therapist Jobs Are Open?

With travel occupational therapist jobs , you’ll get to share your expertise nationwide. We have travel OT jobs available at various hospitals and healthcare facilities, so you’ll get exposure to diverse clinical environments. As you work with new teams and state-of-the-art equipment, you’ll gain valuable experience and enhance your resume while helping patients regain or improve their abilities.

How Can I Find A Permanent Position as an Occupational Therapist?

If you’re looking for a permanent occupational therapist job , our team is ready to help you plant some roots. Through our relationships with hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country, we work directly with hiring managers to get your application fast-tracked and get you an offer faster than if you applied on your own.

What per diem occupational therapist jobs are open?

If you’d like to find convenient work close to home, or you just want to have more flexibility in your schedule, per diem occupational therapist jobs could be perfect for you. With PRN OT opportunities , you can supplement your income by picking up shifts that work with your schedule. Complete your profile, and once you’re credentialed, you’ll get access to book shifts at facilities in your area.

What Factors Can Influence A Permanent Occupational Therapist Salary?

At Aya Healthcare, we know how important it is to have as much information as possible about a job so you can make an informed career decision. When you log in to your Aya account, you’ll automatically get access to full job details, including location, shift, pay and more. While pay for occupational therapist jobs varies based on location, job type and more, you can sort jobs by highest pay, or use any of our other comprehensive filters to find the perfect opportunity. Plus, you can save your search to get notifications when OT jobs that match open up!

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Travel occupational therapist (OT) career guide

Travel occupational therapists are integral members of an interdisciplinary care team. They aim to improve the quality of life and independence level of individuals who have illnesses and disabilities across the lifespan. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) , the occupational therapy profession is projected to grow 12 percent in the next 10 years, making this a smart career option. With increasing demand comes more opportunities for travel occupational therapists to fill in the staffing shortages across the country. Nomad travel OTs have the opportunity to earn higher pay and explore new cities while having a meaningful impact on patient lives.

What is a travel occupational therapist?

Travel occupation therapists, or travel OTs, are healthcare professionals who treat people who have injuries, illnesses, and disabilities. According to BLS, they help patients recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working. Travel OTs may work in different locations and facilities across the country, typically working eight to 13 weeks at a time.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) , travel occupational therapists may work in a wide range of settings depending on their previous clinical experiences, certifications, and training. Some of these settings include:

• Outpatient clinics
• Primary care offices
• Home Health
• Sports and fitness facilities
• Nursing homes
• Free clinics

Travel occupational therapists may provide treatment for a wide variety of conditions for patients of all ages, from neonates to geriatric. Depending on the clinical setting, age, and individual challenges of the patient, a travel OT may implement different solutions and skills. For example, a travel OT may teach a patient with cerebral palsy how to properly use adaptive equipment such as leg braces, wheelchairs, and eating aids.

Some travel occupational therapists who work with older adults may assess the patient’s abilities and home environment for any potential fall hazards, and then give a recommendation for a change in their home setting. Therapists may also assist and educate clients on improving skills such as time management, how to use public transportation, and performing household chores.

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Travel occupational therapist responsibilities.

According to the BLS , the general responsibilities of travel occupational therapists include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluate clients' conditions by reviewing their medical history, interviewing them, and observing them perform various tasks
• Develop and implement treatment plans that have specific activities to help clients work toward their goals
• Help clients relearn and perform daily living tasks, such as teaching a person who has had a stroke how to get dressed
• Demonstrate exercises—for example, stretching the joints for arthritis relief—to help relieve clients’ pain
• Evaluate a client’s home, school, or workplace to identify potential accessibility improvements, such as labeling kitchen cabinets for an older person with poor memory
• Educate a client’s family about how to accommodate and care for them
• Recommend special equipment, such as mobility aids and eating aids, and instruct clients and families on how to use it
• Assess and record clients’ activities and progress for client evaluations, billing, and other purposes

Travel occupational therapists have the additional responsibility of understanding the occupational therapy model practice act of each state where they take a travel job. These laws can affect the travel occupational therapists’ scope of practice as they work in different states.

Types of travel occupational therapists

Travel occupational therapists fulfill the same roles and responsibilities as staff OTs but work on a temporary basis. Like traditional staff occupational therapists, travel OTs can be generalists or specialize in different clinical areas. Nomad currently offers four different categories for travel occupational therapy. These include:

Travel occupational therapist- general

A general travel occupation therapist may work on multiple hospital floors and with a wide variety of conditions. Travel OTs may spend their shifts teaching patients how to use adaptive equipment and assistive technology to increase functional independence, on top of modifying their environment to their current level of functioning. For example, patients recovering from back surgery may have to learn to modify their movement by using a customized grabber tool to pick up items off the floor. Travel OTs may facilitate this modification, along with any other considerations for safely returning home.

Travel pediatrics occupational therapist

Travel pediatric occupational therapists work primarily with children and adolescents. Depending on the individual challenges each child faces, the travel peds OT uses techniques such as play therapy and exercises to hone fine motor, gross motor, and speech skills. Children may need help with muscle tone, coordination, sensory and behavioral issues, or a combination of these.

Travel rehabilitation occupational therapist

Travel rehabilitation occupational therapists work in inpatient rehabilitation units or freestanding facilities. According to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) , patients within these settings must be able to tolerate at least three hours of intensive rehab services. Travel rehab occupational therapists may spend their day helping patients work on balance, standing, and gross and fine motor coordination as they perform activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, cooking, and laundry.

Travel occupational therapist pay

The current average total compensation of travel occupational therapist jobs on Nomad, including travel stipends, is $2,009 a week. The weekly average hourly pay rate with Nomad is approximately $51 to $77 an hour.* This is higher than $1,628, which is the current average weekly pay of staff occupational therapists according to Indeed .

Total compensation can depend on factors such as location, facility demand, and specialization. It’s important to do your research and be aware of the trends with each factor to maximize pay.

*Based on the average compensation data of travel occupational therapists with Nomad as of October 22, 2023.

Highest-paying travel occupational therapist jobs

With Nomad, the highest-paying travel occupational therapist job is approximately $3,080 a week, including a travel stipend. The locations that feature the highest pay are California, Oregon, and Washington.*

Pros and cons of being a travel occupational therapist

While traveling as an occupational therapist is a rewarding career, it's important to holistically consider both the benefits and potential challenges, especially if it’s your first time.

Some pros of traveling as an occupational therapist include the potential to increase your pay, explore new locations, experience new facilities and health systems, and be exposed to new patient populations and clinical situations.

Some of the cons of traveling as an occupational therapist include having to relocate often, having less time to acclimate to new environments, incurring expenses related to travel, having to obtain new licenses, and being away from family and friends.

How to become a travel occupational therapist

The road to becoming a travel occupational therapist involves obtaining an advanced degree and passing a national exam. From there, it’s recommended you get work experience to qualify for most travel positions. Read about the steps to becoming a travel occupational therapist below.

Step 1: earn an undergraduate degree

The first step in becoming a travel occupational therapist is to obtain an undergraduate degree. To apply to an occupational therapy program, you’ll likely need a bachelor's degree with prerequisites completed. The qualifying degree for occupational therapy is a master’s degree, but doctorate degrees qualify as well.

Step 2: obtain a Master of Occupational Therapy degree

Once you earn an undergraduate degree, apply to a master’s level or doctoral-level Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) -approved program. Most occupational therapy programs take two to three years of full-time study to complete.

Step 3: pass the NBCOT exam

Once you’ve earned your degree, you must pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Examination and comply with the occupational therapy licensing requirements of the state where you intend to work.

Step 4: gain clinical experience

In order to qualify for most travel OT jobs, you’ll need at least 24 months of occupational therapy experience in your chosen specialty. Some facilities may accept new grads who have certain practicum or internship experiences. Otherwise, it’s recommended to build hands-on experience and hone your skills so you can start traveling as confidently as possible.

Step 5: get licensed and apply for travel jobs

Once you have the minimum years of required clinical experience, you’re ready to apply for travel occupational therapy jobs! State licensing requirements may vary, so be sure to check with the occupational therapy regulatory board of each state where you intend to work.

Travel occupational therapist skills

Working as a travel occupational therapist requires a mix of hard and soft skills. These are acquired through intensive schooling, continuing education, a practicum, and hands-on clinical experience.

Hard skills

Some of the hard skills required of travel occupational therapists include:

• Working knowledge of anatomy and physiology
• Understanding pharmacology and pathophysiology
• Manual therapy techniques
• Fine motor, gross motor, and sensory skill therapy techniques
• Knowing rehabilitation principles and practices
• Robust assessment skills
• Ability to implement different teaching techniques
• Application of current evidence-based practices
• Accurate charting and documentation

Soft skills

Some of the soft skills needed by travel occupational therapists include:

• Cultural sensitivity and awareness
• Time management
• Interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking
• Physical dexterity and stamina

Travel occupational therapist certifications

Travel occupational therapists can demonstrate their competency in specialized knowledge and clinical skills by obtaining advanced certifications . The American Occupational Association currently offers advanced certification in three specialty areas:

• Physical rehabilitation

While certifications aren’t required, they can increase your expertise and solidify your skills as a travel occupational therapist. Having these may make you a more attractive candidate to future employers and facilities.

Frequently asked questions about travel occupational therapists

How do i get started with travel ot, is being a travel occupational therapist worth it, how much do travel occupational therapists make in the us, travel ot healthcare resources.

• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). (n.d.). Certification Eligibility. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.nbcot.org/get-certified/eligibility
• Health Guide USA. (n.d.). Occupational Therapy License Lookup. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.healthguideusa.org/occupational_therapy_license_lookup.htm
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Occupational Therapists. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (n.d.). What Is Occupational Therapy? Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.aota.org/about/what-is-ot
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (n.d.). AOTA's Advanced Certification Program. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.aota.org/career/advanced-certification-program
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (n.d.). Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Certification. Retrieved November 3, 2023, from https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/certification-compliance/inpatient-rehabilitation-facilities

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Travel therapy, it’s in our dna.

If there’s one thing we know well, it’s travel therapy. That’s how we got our start. And all that experience makes us experts at supporting you on your travel therapist journey.

All of the benefits , none of the baggage

Switch to travel therapy for a whole new way of life! We’ve got your back every step of the way, so you can start your journey with confidence. With travel therapy jobs , you’ll enjoy top-dollar assignments, fantastic benefits, and valuable experience.

Plus, if you want to take breaks between travel therapy assignments—we can assist with that too. Explore incredible travel opportunities across the United States.

Exclusive Access to High-Paying Jobs

Want priority access to top therapy jobs at the best healthcare facilities? That’s what we’re all about. Whether you’re a physical therapist dreaming of the Big Apple or an occupational therapist pining for the Alaskan frontier, we’re here to help make your dream travel contract happen.

Help with Housing

We’ll help you find and secure housing that makes you, your family, and your furry friends feel at home. Pet-friendly accommodations are available.

We’re Always Available

From the moment you land in a new city for your travel contract, we’re available 24/7 if anything comes up — just give us a call. Or, feel free to shoot us a text, connect via live chat, or even DM us if you have questions. We’re always here to help.

We’ve Got You Covered

Because we’ve got your back (and your teeth, and your eyes), your well-being is our top concern from the get-go. We’ll make sure you hit the ground running with full medical, dental, and vision benefits from day one.

Avoid Health Coverage Gaps

Time off should be stress-free, right? Yep. That’s why we let you keep your medical, dental, and vision benefits for up to 30 days between your travel therapy assignments.

We’re Invested in Your Future

At Host Healthcare, enjoy a rewarding travel therapy career while securing your future with our competitive 401K investment plan, including company matching!

Recruiters You’ll Love

Humble brag alert: Our recruiters have the best reviews in the business. Don’t believe us? See for yourself.

The #1 .cls-1{fill:#9ce7a7;stroke-width:0px;} Rated Travel Nursing Agency

Check out these reviews from real host healthcare travelers..

Host Healthcare is amazing! Best travel co out there! Amanda is the recruiter I have & she is wonderful. She is there from the beginning. From searching for the perfect assignment throughout completion of a contract - Amanda is there for me! Host Healthcare treats their nurses so well

Amanda Goad is the most amazing recruiter I have worked with. She is the most responsive and go-getter. She is in constant contact with you or hospitals to get you offers and/or advocating for you. She is super motivated and helpful. If you have the opportunity to use her, you will not regret it.

Needed to move across country to be next to my partner, but blindly jumping into a full time job for a hospital system I was not familiar with was out of the question. Host Healthcare (Natalie G specifically) stood by me and helped me fulfill my absurdly specific requests. I was a first time time traveler and I couldn't have made it without the support I received!

Just finished my first contract with Host Healthcare (fifth overall) and they were amazing! Specifically my recruiter Jenny Berroth. Jenny was so helpful and easy to communicate with. I had a couple issues come up and Jenny was all over them and took care of everything so I could just concentrate on being a nurse, while she handled the rest. I can’t recommend Host and Jenny enough! You have to give Host and Jenny a try, you’ll be glad you did!

You pick the city, we’ll help you get there.

Maybe you’ve already got a destination in mind. Or maybe you just want to toss a dart at the map! However you decide, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Day-one medical, dental, and vision - and you can keep these benefits for up to 30 days between assignments so you can take a break and not worry about having medical coverage.
• Access to tens of thousands of travel healthcare jobs in every State in the U.S.
• Friendly, responsive, no-pressure recruiters. Click here to see our Traveler reviews.
• 401K matching
• Travel and professional development reimbursements such as scrubs, medical equipment, licensing, certifications, or any other professional development requirements you need for your assignment.
• Student loan reimbursement
• Personalized housing assistance and pet-friendly housing
• Sign up to receive auto-matching to travel healthcare jobs based on your experience and preference
• Voluntary benefits including critical illness, accident, short-term disability, and whole life

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Travel Therapy Mentor

Travel PT duo helping PTs, OTs and SLPs to become successful travel therapists!

What is Travel Therapy and How Does it Work?

What is Travel Therapy?

Travel therapy, contract therapy, contract therapist, traveling therapist, travel physical therapy (Travel PT), travel occupational therapy (Travel OT), travel speech therapy (Travel SLP) — these are some terms you may have heard floating around, and you’re wondering, what does that mean?

The answer is, it could mean a variety of things, but in most cases it means that a therapist (PT, OT, SLP, PTA, COTA) chooses to travel to different locations within the US for short term, contract work. This could be locally, within one state, or across state lines in any of the 50 US states.

In some cases, it could refer to working internationally , but this is not common and involves completely different steps than finding travel/contract work within the US. We are going to focus on travel therapy within the US only, as this is what is most feasible for US therapists, and it’s the focus of our Travel Therapy Mentor website.

How Does It Work?

In a nutshell, therapists (PT, OT, SLP, PTA, COTA) work with a recruiter at a travel therapy staffing agency, to search for short term jobs they’d like to apply to within the US. They have a phone interview to see if the job is a good fit, and if they’re chosen for the job, they move to the new location temporarily to work there for a short term contract.

A typical contract length is 13 weeks, or 3 months. But, it all depends on the facility’s needs and what you’re looking for. Some contracts could last just a few weeks, up to a year. In terms of finding short term housing, the staffing company can help you set up housing, or you can choose to set up housing on your own. Some travelers also choose to travel by RV .

The travel therapy staffing agency gets paid by the facility, they take a commission, and then you get paid weekly. You get paid an hourly rate, plus a stipend (also referred to as per diem) for housing and meals/incidentals (as long as you meet the appropriate guidelines for maintaining a Tax Home ). You can also receive benefits from the staffing company, just like at a perm job, while you’re on contract with them. Remember, you’re an employee of the  staffing company while on contract, not the facility itself.

When your contract is over, you can move on to another contract, or you could always return back home and work locally again.

Why Do Facilities Need Travel Therapists?

The facilities might need short term/travel workers for a variety of reasons, including:

• Someone quit suddenly, and they need someone to fill in temporarily while they try to find a new permanent employee
• Someone is away temporarily (for example on a maternity/paternity leave)
• They have a temporary increase in caseload, for example some places that have higher needs during different seasons (think: Snow Birds in winter)
• They’re having trouble finding a permanent employee or haven’t had a permanent employee for a while (for example rural areas or less desirable areas that don’t have a large pool of therapists in the area)

Why Do Therapists Choose Travel Therapy?

There are lots of benefits to travel therapy and reasons why therapists might choose this route, including:

• You get paid higher as a travel therapist
• You get to explore different areas of the country
• You can try a variety of settings without committing to the job permanently

Do You Get to Choose Where You Go?

Yes, and no. There are 3 main factors to consider when searching for travel therapy jobs: location, setting, and pay. The more picky you are on one of these factors, the less picky you can be on the others.

You are at the mercy of the jobs available at a given time throughout the US. So you can say you really want to go to  this state , but you can’t always choose exactly the city. Often, you won’t see any jobs in a particular city at a particular time, so you’ll have to look more at the whole state or a whole region. Plus, the more picky you’re being about the exact location, you won’t be able to be so picky on the setting and the  pay .

On the other hand, if you’re only looking for a certain setting, for example outpatient or pediatrics, you will have to be more flexible on  location and  pay.

If you’re looking to make the absolute most money possible, you may have to be lenient on the setting and/or location available to find it!

Sometimes, you hit the “travel therapy jackpot” and get your absolute top pick on location, setting AND high pay! But it’s hard to come by all 3. So remember, flexibility is key!

What are Some of the Logistics with Getting Started?

First, you’ll want to find reliable recruiters at reliable staffing companies to work with. They help you find the jobs and can make or break your experience with travel therapy! We recommend working with at least 3 recruiters to open up more job options. To learn more about why this is, check out this article .

• You can contact us for recommendations for recruiters and companies that we know and trust, based on our years of experience and interviewing dozens of different companies to compare and contrast!

Next, you’ll want to consider in which states you’d like to work. You have to be licensed in every state in which you work, and it’s usually recommended that you get 2-3 state licenses up front so you’ll already have the license in hand before applying for jobs. In most cases, you have to apply individually to each state via their local state board website, but for PT’s and PTA’s you may be eligible for the PT Compact.

• Check out this article to learn more about the PT Compact , how it works, and if you’re eligible!

Once you’re set up with some recruiters and are working on getting your state licenses, the recruiters will help you search for jobs and submit your application for you.

• To learn more about getting started, check out our Ultimate Guide to Getting Started as a Travel Therapist

Ready to Jump in & Learn More?

This is the first article in our Mini Series titled Travel Therapy 101: The Basics

Check out the other topics in this series including:

• Travel Therapy Pay 101
• Travel Therapy Housing 101
• Travel Therapy Licensing 101
• Travel Therapy Recruiters 101
• Understanding Tax Homes for Travelers

You can also find more detailed information on any of these topics via the links to other articles throughout this post, or by visiting our Educational Videos & Articles section!

Please send us a message if you have questions about travel therapy, or fill out this form  to find out the recruiters and companies we recommend for you!

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Published by Travel Therapy Mentor

Travel Therapy Mentor is brought to you by two traveling physical therapists, Jared and Whitney Casazza who have been working as travel healthcare professionals since 2015. We are here to help mentor others who are considering starting a travel career, as well as provide information to current travelers to grow and expand their knowledge. View all posts by Travel Therapy Mentor

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How to Start Your Travel Occupational Therapy Career

Are you an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant looking for a new adventure? Traveling might be the perfect fit for you! Travel occupational therapy jobs are available all over the United States and it’s becoming easier than ever before for OTs and OTAs to travel.

Travel occupational therapy is a growing field that offers many opportunities for those looking for a rewarding career, both professionally and personally. With a new and exciting travel occupational therapy career, you can visit new destinations, meet new people, and make a difference in patients’ lives. You’ll also gain valuable experience by working in different facilities that will help improve your skills and adaptability.

How to Become a Travel Occupational Therapist

If you are interested in a travel occupational therapy career, there are a few steps you will need to take before traveling. You will need to have completed your ACOTE-accredited occupational therapy (OT) program or occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program. For OTs, that’s an undergraduate degree in a related field and a master’s degree or a professional doctorate in occupational therapy. OTAs will need an associate’s degree. You will also need to pass the National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination in order to practice in the U.S.

Once you’ve gained all the necessary education and passed your exam, you will need to obtain state licensing in the state you wish to practice in. Usually, you will start with your home state. Requirements vary by location, so you will need to consult the state’s regulatory agency to learn more about specific requirements and fees. With an active license in good standing, you can then partner with a healthcare staffing agency and search for travel jobs.

The Best Way to Travel

Licensing can pose a challenge to becoming a travel occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant. Every state is different, which means you’ll have to do your research. Since the process varies state by state, it could also take some time to get your license(s). If you’re planning on holding active licenses in multiple states, it can also become expensive quite quickly.

The new Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact has been a game-changer for many therapists and assistants, especially those who want to pursue a travel career. This will simplify the process of traveling to different states to work, as well as make it easier to provide occupational therapy services to patients who need care.

What is the OT Compact?

The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, or OT Compact for short, is an interstate agreement between states that allows licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to practice in any member state without needing to hold individual state licenses. The Compact was created to improve access to occupational therapy services and to simplify the licensure process for occupational therapy providers.

Currently, 22 states have enacted legislation, and more states are expected to join in the future. The Compact is overseen by the Occupational Therapy Compact Commission, which is responsible for issuing and renewing licenses, as well as regulating the practice of occupational therapy providers in participating states. It’s a joint initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and NBCOT. As of August 2022, privileges to practice are expected to be available in late 2023 or early 2024.

As of this time, Compact states include Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. You can check the OT Compact Map for the most up to date information on each state.

If you are an occupational therapist or assistant who is licensed in a Compact state, you will be able to practice in all Compact states without having to obtain a new license. The main caveat is that your home state will need to be a part of the Compact as well, so expanding member states will be important in the future. This will simplify the process of traveling to different states to work, as well as make it easier to provide occupational therapy services to patients who need care.

Travel Occupational Therapy Jobs

Travel occupational therapists and assistants work with people of all ages and abilities in a variety of settings and specialties. Travelers can work in a variety of settings like hospitals, rehabilitation, outpatient care, nursing homes, home health, and schools. No matter where they work, travel OTs and OTAs provide vital services to their patients.

One of the main differences between a travel job and a traditional position is that traveling is on a short-term contract basis. The length of contracts can vary but usually last from a few weeks to a few months. Travel jobs are also usually employed through an agency that specializes in healthcare staffing. Through a recruiter, OTs and OTAs can find travel assignments as well as have their compliance, benefits, and payroll managed through their staffing agency.

If you’re thinking about becoming an occupational therapist, or are already an OT, consider the benefits of travel. It could be just what you need to take your career to the next level. Supplemental Health Care has an Allied Health division dedicated to local and travel occupational therapy jobs. Check out our job portal to see what OT and OTA positions are available now or contact our recruiting team to learn more about traveling.

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The Comprehensive Guide to Travel OT Pay

Table of Contents

Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health, as a traveler-nominated top 10 agency, understands the curiosity surrounding the earning potential in the occupational therapy field. This guide equips aspiring and existing travel occupational therapists (OTs) with the essential knowledge about their pay scales and how various factors influence them. Further, it will also provide valuable insights on steps you can take to maximize your earning potential as a travel OT.

How Much Travel Occupational Therapists (OTs) Make

Questions often arise about the earning potential of the travel occupational therapist. How much do travel OTs make? The answer varies widely, depending on several factors such as geographical location, experience level, specialty, and type of assignment. The variation in travel OT pay is part of the overall flexibility and customization that Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health offers to allied health professionals in this role.

The Average Salary of Travel OTs in the US

Travel occupational therapists can make a lucrative income while enjoying the flexibility and adventure of travel. The average salary of an OT in the U.S. is approximately $92,800 annually . However, allied health professionals in high-demand areas and specialties may earn significantly more, providing an added incentive for therapists considering the switch from a stationary job to a travel position.

How Travel OT Pay Compares to Regular Occupational Therapists

Comparing the pay scale of travel OTs and regular occupational therapists provides an interesting perspective. Regular occupational therapists earn a median annual wage of approximately $92,800 in the U.S. Since travel assignments generally pay more than staff OTs, the annual salary of a travel OT might be more than that.

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Factors That Affect a Travel OT's Salary

A number of factors influence a travel OT's salary. These include:

• Geographical location: More economically affluent or high-demand areas often pay more.
• Professional experience and specializations: OTs with extensive experience and specific specializations (like occupational hand therapy) tend to earn higher pay.
• Assignment urgency: Assignments requiring immediate filling may come with higher salary packages.
• Negotiation skills: A professional's ability to negotiate the terms of a contract often plays a significant role in determining their pay.

How You Can Maximize Your Earning Potential as a Travel Occupational Therapist

Securing favorable terms and conditions in a travel OT role that meets your career and remuneration expectations requires strategic planning. Here are some ways to achieve that:

Negotiation Strategies You Can Use to Secure Higher Pay as a Travel OT

Negotiating your pay package is a skill that will come in handy to secure higher pay. Here is a simple roadmap to help you navigate this process:

• Research: Understand the industry standards for travel OT pay in different states and have a realistic expectation. Ensure you have a clear understanding of the full compensation package, including base salary, bonuses, housing stipends, and benefits.
• Presentation: Share your skills, qualifications, and experiences that add value to the role. This might include specializations, certifications, or experience in a niche area of occupational therapy.
• Negotiate: Once the potential employer presents an offer, use your research and presentation to discuss terms that align with your expectations. Remember that negotiation is give and take. Hence, be prepared for a considered dialogue about your proposal.

How Additional Qualifications and Specializations Can Increase Travel OT Pay

Advanced qualifications or specialties can significantly improve your earning potential. Specializations like occupational hand therapy, pediatrics, or geriatrics make you more attractive to potential employers and increase your bargaining power during negotiations.

These specializations indicate a higher level of expertise, enable you to handle more complex cases, and enhance the value you bring to your role as a travel OT. As a result, employers are often willing to pay a premium for specialized therapists.

The Highest-Paying Travel OT Jobs

The pay scale for travel OT jobs depends on several factors, including specialization, geographic location, allied health staffing agency, and years of experience. However, here are some specialization areas that typically command higher pay :

• Home Health Care: Travel OTs working in home health care, where they provide therapy in a patient's home, often earn a higher income. This is due to the complexities and challenges of working in a non-clinical setting.
• Skilled Nursing Facilities: Skilled nursing facilities often have a high demand for experienced travel OTs and are willing to offer lucrative pay packages.
• Pediatrics: Occupational therapists specializing in pediatric care, especially traveling ones, often take home higher pay due to the specific skill set and expertise required in this field.

Launch Your Travel OT Career With Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health

As a traveler-nominated top 10 allied health staffing agency, Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health connects skilled occupational therapists like you with rewarding travel opportunities nationwide. We have a team of supportive and experienced recruiters who know how to look for the right job postings that appeal to each individual.

Partnering with us to launch or boost your travel occupational therapist career brings about an abundance of benefits :

• A Full Circle of Support
• Specific job postings that match your OT experience, education, and aspirations
• Competitive pay rates
• Comprehensive health and wellness plans

Start your first travel assignment with Health Carousel Nursing & Allied Health and see where your career goes! Check out On Demand , our powerful web app, where you can search and apply for travel occupational therapy jobs nationwide

Do OTs make 6 figures?

It's possible for occupational therapists to make six-figure salaries. Factors such as advanced specialization, years of experience, higher educational qualifications, and employment in certain high-paying sectors or geographical locations can significantly contribute to achieving a six-figure salary.

Should I do travel occupational therapy?

Pursuing travel occupational therapy can depend on your personal and professional goals. If you are looking for flexibility, diverse work environments, and the opportunity to explore new locations while advancing your career, travel occupational therapy can be a rewarding path.

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The Scoop on Traveling OT Jobs

• Post date --> January 20, 2023

Many OTs consider trying out traveling occupational therapy at some point. 

Not only do travel OT jobs provide tons of experience and exposure to multiple settings, they pay well and can help you pay down loans and get out of debt quickly.

That said, as with any type of practice, there are pros and cons to consider. 

In this post we will look at the state of travel in 2023. And, share an interview with Emily Butler can help you determine whether traveling is the right career move for you. Then, at the end, I will share a bit about my favorite travel advocate, Nomadicare .

The State of Travel OT in 2023

The travel industry continues to change so quickly. We wanted to include this interview with Laura Latimer, Founder of Nomadicare to talk about travel advice specific to 2023, as our below interview with Emily was conducted several years ago, and provides advice that has withstood the test of time.

I am a longtime friend and affiliate of Nomadicare .

An Interview with Emily Butler on her Travel OT experience

Why did you choose travel ot right out of school.

When I graduated from OT school and was considering job options, I was single and didn’t feel particularly tied to any specific place to move to and get a permanent job.

My good friend from OT school was looking into traveling, and she asked me to travel with her. At that time, becoming a traveling OT with a friend seemed much less daunting than doing it on my own, and since traveling contracts typically only last 13 weeks, I knew I could take a permanent job in a few months if traveling was not a good fit for me.

Another major draw to traveling was that with the tax-free stipends I would receive as a “displaced worker.” I would make more than I would at traditional occupational therapy jobs. I knew that would enable me to pay off the student loan debt I had accumulated during the three and a half years it took me to get my doctorate.  

After weighing the pros and cons, I could see that traveling made a lot of sense for me. I agreed to give it a try with her.

How did you decide on an agency? What kind of parameters could you set?

While looking into travel companies, I talked with other travelers that I knew from my alma mater, and I did a lot of research on each of the companies’ websites.

My friend and I made a giant chart comparing around 20 companies, and we emailed recruiters from each of the companies asking them about their benefits packages, licensure, CEU reimbursements, health insurance, and how they dealt with pairs of travelers. 

I had originally decided to go with another company. They had been slowly building a relationship with the friend I was wanting to travel with; in fact, they’d been in touch with her since our 1st year of OT school! 

We really liked that company until they gave us some bad advice. 

As traveling OTs, we were not eligible for temporary state licensure in any of the states we planned on working in. The traveling recruiter we were working with advised us to get our California and Washington licenses first as soon as we’d passed the NBCOT exam.

The recruiter failed to inform us that the processing time to get state licenses varies greatly from state to state. As it happens, California and Washington both require background checks and fingerprinting [which has to be done on their specific fingerprinting form which is mailed to you and then you mail back]. Consequently, those states take upwards of three months for the licensure process. As a new grad, I was not interested in waiting to begin working for three months. I needed a paycheck!

While we were stressing about the delay with our West Coast licenses, another company contacted us and was very prompt in answering all of our questions. The recruiter told us she could get us two jobs in a different state with an average state licensure processing time of about a week.

We jumped on it, and ended up staying with that company for two years. In my experience, the recruiter you work with is just as (if not more!) important than the agency. You need a recruiter who is going to stand up for you, be detail oriented (for your contract, time off requests, etc.), and timely.

Travel jobs can be posted and filled within 12 hours in some cases! If your recruiter isn’t moving quickly enough, you will miss out on jobs you are interested in.

When negotiating travel contracts, my philosophy became, “don’t ask, don’t get.” I had to negotiate for things like getting paid mileage when I was traveling between buildings, and having at least 30 days notice if the facility I was working for found a permanent OT and wanted to replace me (which happened). Don’t settle for two weeks’ notice. It will happen and turn your life on end. Everything is negotiable, and every company will try to lowball you. Stand up for yourself and don’t sign a contract you aren’t comfortable with.

My biggest fear about traveling is being thrown into situations without support; did you feel this way?

I had similar fears before my first day at my first placement. When I walked in the door that first day as a new grad fresh out of OT school, the first thing I remember happening is the therapy director hugging me and saying, “She’s here! Our angel! We’ve been so excited for you to come.”

At that first placement, they had been getting by with PRN staff, and they were thrilled to have a more stable therapist. They were incredibly supportive and helped me to feel at ease. It also helped that I was traveling with my friend because we could always bounce ideas off each other.

Not every facility has been as supportive as that first one.

I ended up traveling only to skilled nursing facilities . That’s where the demand was while I traveled, and I discovered I really loved geriatrics. In my experience, a patient is a patient, no matter which facility I was working in. They all need therapy.

And, while I’ve seen therapy gyms of all shapes and sizes, they all have gait belts and oximeters. When it gets down to it, that’s all you really need. Nurses’ stations are easy to find. Patients’ rooms are numbered. If I wasn’t lucky enough to get a tour of the facility or much of an orientation, I found I really didn’t need it.

I kept a growing collection of patient handouts and assessments on my clipboard, and I made copies of them when needed. (Finding patient handouts in a disorganized therapy gym was often more trouble than it was worth in the first week at a new building.)  

Also, I traveled to six different sites across the country, and they all used one of the two computerized documentation programs (Casamba and Rehab Optima) I knew.

One building I worked at actually transitioned from all handwritten documentation to computerized while I was there, and I was able to help the other therapists with the transition. Already knowing the computerized documentation system meant that it was easier for me to jump in and see patients, and I ultimately required less and less orientation the longer I was a traveler. 

Most importantly, you need to find a travel company (and recruiter) that will provide you with support. If you stay with the same company, as I did, developing a good and trusting relationship with that company will really help with any problems or issues that you run into.

This is personal, but how did traveling affect your social life?  

Well, for the first year, I traveled with my friend that I mentioned. Being a traveling pair limits job options because you have to find a placement that needs two OTs with the same start date. However, it does make the social aspect a lot more fun.

I met other traveling pairs while I was traveling who made it work, as well. As it happened, my friend ended up falling in love with a farmer from Iowa, and we stopped traveling together. This impacted my social life. Haha!

I did two travel placements on my own, and I chose to travel to large cities. I wasn’t interested in living in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, thousands of miles from anyone I knew.

I was in Portland and the Seattle area, and I explored on my own and with people that I met there. My philosophy was to say, “yes!” to anything someone invited me to do (within reason, naturally). It was fun doing things I wouldn’t typically do, and traveling definitely brought me out of my shell. 

How did traveling help you grow as a therapist?

Traveling has helped me grow and become an adaptable therapist. I’ve learned to be flexible and work with a variety of different therapy directors, COTAs with limited experience, and COTAs who have been in the field for 20 years.

I’ve learned a lot from all of the different therapists I’ve worked with across the country, and have incorporated both “old-school” methods and cutting-edge practices.

I have also had a lot of practice interviewing for jobs, and don’t get nearly as nervous as I used to. It has also helped me determine what is important to me when negotiating contracts while I was applying for my permanent position. 

Traveling also has turned me into a more resourceful and creative therapist. As I mentioned before, the facilities I worked in varied widely in terms of supplies and space.

The smallest therapy “gym” I’ve worked out of was one drawer of a filing cabinet in the administration office, and the largest was the size of a ballroom and equipped with everything you could possibly need. I learned to think on my feet and work with what I had.

What was the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge for me as a traveler was trying to “plan” things in my personal life. I usually wouldn’t know where I was moving until a week or two beforehand, sometimes less. That made it difficult to buy plane tickets, particularly knowing that if a facility found a permanent therapist, they could cut my 13-week rotation short, meaning I would have to either find another placement close by or move.

That part was stressful, especially when trying to travel with another person. Also, depending on where my placement was, finding housing could be stressful. It varied based on both tourist seasons and the part of the country I was in at the time. 

I had to be very flexible.

How about the most rewarding moments?  

The most rewarding aspect of traveling was something I didn’t expect. I felt very appreciated and could tell that the staff was grateful I was there. On my last day, the therapy department (and often the nursing staff) would give me cards and baked goods, host potlucks, and tell me how much they appreciated me and the hard work I put in.

It helped me to realize that people do notice when you put in hard work and care about your job; people who I wasn’t sure even knew my name would come give me a hug and make sure they said goodbye.

I still have all the cards.

That type of thing doesn’t happen to full-time staff. Everyone doesn’t get together every three months to show employees how much they appreciate them continuing to do their jobs. (Maybe they should? Ha!) I had to say goodbye a lot as part of traveling, but I also got to meet a lot of amazing therapists and make some lifelong friendships. (Is that too cheesy? I’m getting sentimental now.)

I’m not saying that the last days were my favorite—saying goodbye is always hard—but my first and last days at each facility definitely stick out in my memory, and the last days were often full of reminiscing and baked goods.  

If someone was interested in pursuing work as a traveling therapist, how would you recommend they proceed?

I would advise them to start contacting any travelers they know to see what they think of the companies they have worked with. Keep in mind that travelers get referral bonuses so they are motivated to help others sign up for their own company. Also, do your research online and contact a few companies you’re interested in.

Questions from Readers

What is the difference in salary offered to a traveling ot with a master’s and an ot with a doctorate.

I never compared my salary to that of an OT with a master’s degree. From my experience, though, I believe traveling salaries are based primarily on region and years of experience in a particular setting.

Let’s say you are offered a 100k annual salary for being a traveling OT. I was wondering if the housing stipend comes out of your paycheck? If I make sure to put my foot down and ask for things such as paid mileage and what not, would that ultimately come out of my paycheck too? What costs would I have to expect to pay at the end of it all and what would be left over? 

Housing is negotiable. You can choose to have your company find housing for you (which is generally an Extended Stay America long-term stay hotel) or you can find your own housing (which takes more work on your end, but can save you a lot of money if you find an off-season rental home or can live with friends). The housing stipend is calculated based on the cost of living in a region. My housing stipend was a lot larger when I was in California than in Iowa. The other bonus of having the housing stipend as part of your weekly paycheck is that it is tax-free as a displaced worker. Hope that helps!

Where do you start when it comes to looking for companies? Do you simply start researching and contact all of them? What kind of questions would you suggest asking when contacting these companies? Also, do you have to sign a contract for a specific time period? Would we be able to do only one year and then get out of travel?

When it came to looking for companies, my friend and I put together a list of questions we had for each travel company, and then we emailed recruiters from all of the companies. We put together a giant spreadsheet to compare each company, and then narrowed down our list based on which company was the most helpful/had the benefits we were looking for. Some recruiters gave us long, detailed answers; others did not. That helped us get a sense for the company/recruiter right away.

I actually found our list of questions we sent to the recruiters. Here it is:

• Medical coverage: Is this free for every placement? Also, how does medical coverage work between placements? For example, what if I want to take off a week between placements, would I still have medical coverage?

I s there any life insurance offered?

• Are meals and incidentals covered with a stipend?
• As part of the travel expense allowance: is there ever the opportunity for car rental when placements are farther away?
• How much is the CEU annual allowance?
• Are there any opportunities for PTO?
• The website mentioned completion and renewal bonuses…can you elaborate on this?

For traveling, the companies really want therapists to work for them, so always remember that they are trying to sell their company to you—thus, you should take what they say with a grain of salt. You don’t have to sign a long-term contract for traveling. You can do one 13-week rotation, decide it’s not for you, and take a permanent job. You could even give your 2-weeks notice your first week if you find it’s really not a good fit for you. That’s one of the positives of traveling: you’re never locked into anything, and if you want to try a different company or go to a permanent job, you can do so whenever you want.

Did you just get a temporary license in each state? Once you left that state, did you ever have to do anything with that license, like recertification? If you wanted to go back to that state, did you have to get another temporary license? Is there an amount of time you have to wait before applying for another temp license?

From my understanding, traveling therapists do not qualify for temporary licenses. I got a standard 2-year license for each state, and then once I left each state, I would keep the license until it expired and then either pay to keep it “active” if I planned to return there in the next few years or let it go “inactive” if I didn’t plan to return. Being inactive is significantly cheaper. It is also an option to let your licenses just expire if you don’t think you will ever return to a state. Each state has its own regulations, and they often require a verification letter from all of the other states that you are licensed in when you apply for a new license.

From what I understand, a temporary license is for new grads who would like to begin working before their official license is processed, and they have to work with an OT who will supervise them. I’ve talked with other travelers over the years, and they used the same system I did.

There are a few states currently working to have PTs be able to work across state lines without having to be licensed in the second state. For example, you could work in Washington under an Oregon license (think of how you use your driver’s license). Hopefully, OT will follow in PT’s footsteps if they are able to get that law passed, ideally nationwide. Talk to your state representatives!

Travel OT provides countless opportunities to grow. Not only can you experience a wide variety of settings and patient populations, you can also work in a number of locations across the country. Traveling and living in new places exposes you to ways of life you might not otherwise know.

In my opinion, travel OT is one of the best ways to grow—not just as a clinician, but also as a person.

Ready to start exploring what’s out there?

Emily traveled before my favorite OT travel site, Nomadicare , came into existence. Nomadicare was started by Laura Latimer, OTR/L, a travel therapist. Laura vets recruiters using her extensive knowledge and experience.

I highly recommend exploring her services. (And don’t worry, the travel companies bear the cost of her work! For travelers, getting a match is free!) I am a proud partner and affiliate of the work Nomadicare is doing to advocate for OTs!

64 replies on “The Scoop on Traveling OT Jobs”

Hi Emily I am looking into becoming a traveling COTA and to work in a variety of states throughout the year. With temporary state licenses not being an option for us, what did you do to keep your licenses in all the states you worked active and in good standing? Or did you let them expire and renewed an expired state license if you went back to that particular state if it was over a year time frame?

Thank you in advance.

Hi Katie! I reached out to Emily, she said that she just let hers expire because she never returned to a state she had worked in before. I know one of her goals in traveling was to see the country before she committed to a more permanent position. If you hope to stay in a particular region, this seems like it would be an important issue. I would definitely talk to your recruiter about this. If you think of it, I would love to know what you learn! Best of luck finding the right travel company. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Hi Emily! I am currently in school to become a COTA and I want to do traveling right after I graduate. I have heard that travel companies don’t offer much supervision. Once I start I don’t want to really be thrown under the bus and not really have much supervision once I start out. Did you feel that there was supervision and the company really helped you out as a new grad? If you don’t mind me asking what travel company did you go with, were you pleased with their service to you? Thank you!

Hi Laura! Good questions! I’ve talked to Emily in the past about discussing the specific company she worked for and I know she would rather not. Maintaining a good relationship with past employers is so important!

As far as supervision, it is my understanding that this varies a lot by site moreso than which company you are working for. As a COTA, you should at very least have an OT supervisor. When you are looking at different positions, I would think that you could ask how often you supervising OT will be onsite. If he/she isn’t there most of the time that seems like sufficient reason to turn done that particular placement.

Good luck with your job quest! Let us know if any other questions arise!

Hi Laura! I just wanted to follow up with you. I had a recent email exchange with Emily (the interviewee in this post). Here is what she said about supervision: "The COTA won’t have any supervision from the travel company, so the COTA will want to accept travel positions at buildings who have an onsite OT. Some of the smaller rural buildings have OTs that are split between multiple buildings, so the OT may only be at any given facility one day a week or just a few hours a day. It really depends more on the site the COTA is placed at rather than the travel company.

Hope that is helpful! sorry for the delay!"

Hi Sarah, I’m a new grad and just quit my 1st pediatric contract after 18 weeks. I finally realized peds is definitely not for me. I’m having trouble looking for a SNF/acute/outpatient contract in my area. I do have a 2yr old son and am only willing to travel in the summers while he is with his father, the other 9 months of the year I have to stay put. I was wondering if you think I should switch my focus from travel contract positions to permanent positions to gain more experience. (Most facilities keep saying I don’t have enough experience). And honestly, my only desire to stay with the traveling contracts is is to test the waters for which city I want to move to in a few years, and keep my mind preoccupied while my child is away for the summer. Any advice?

Hi Chanelle! Do not feel discouraged that pediatrics wasn’t for you! There are so many avenues to explore within OT and many people spend the first years of their career finding the right fit. Permanent positions are a great way to gain experience. If I were you, I would definitely apply to both permanent and contract positions. It never hurts to apply and keep your options open. You can always turn down an offer if you get more than one offer or if the position just doesn’t feel right as you learn more about it.

Best of luck to you! Let me know if you have any other questions.

I am so happy I found your blog. This is perfect for my situation because my friend and I have recently become interested in doing travel OT together, and I have absolutely no clue about it so this was very informative. We still have a year left before we graduate but I wanted to begin getting some information on it. Where do you start when it comes to looking for companies? Do you simply start researching and contact all of them? What kind of questions would you suggest asking when contacting these companies? Also- do you have to sign a contract for a specific time period? Would we be able to do only one year and then get out of travel?

Hi Morgan! These are great questions! Emily was a guest writer for me, but I am going to see if she would be up for answering these questions! I will keep you posted. I feel like there are not many resources out there about what traveling OT all entails, so hopefully I can build this page.

Hi Morgan! Emily and I just updated the body of the blog and specifically addressed your questions. I hope it is helpful! Best of luck to you!

Alright, let’s say you are offered a 100k annual salary for being a traveling OT. I was wondering if the housing stipend comes out of your paycheck as I am trying to figure out how much I can save with such a salary. If I make sure to put my foot down and ask for things such as payed mileage and whatnot, would that ultimately come out of my paycheck too? What costs would I have to expect to pay at the end of it all and what would be left over? Thank you so much, this blog is a God send!

Hi Eva! I think the answer to these questions will help multiple job seekers so I reached out to Emily. See her response in the updated body of the blog. I hope your search is going well!

Hello, I was wondering what is the difference in salary offered as a traveling OT between an OT with a master’s and an OT with both a doctorate. Thank you!

Hi Lisa! This is a such a great question that I reached out to Emily and built the answer into the body of the blog (see above). Thanks for reaching out and good luck!

I’m a new grad, about to enter the travel world, I wish I could see your big ol’ chart of all the different companies!

Your information has been wonderful! Thank you for sharing this blog! Just curious how do you factor out your taxes especially if the pay is tax free? Did you ever run into having to repay the IRS back?

Hi Jenny! I was able to reach out to Emily to ask her your question. (I was interested to know the answer as well!) Here is what she said: …"the pay isn’t completely tax-free. The living/housing stipend are tax-free if you qualify as a "displaced worker" which you have to declare on your taxes, but you are also paid an hourly wage that is taxed. I don’t think I had any tax issues other than having to file in each state that I worked in each year."

Hello! I was wondering if you wanted to stay around the city you live in, is it easy to get back to back travel assignments? I have a house and a baby and I would like to bounce around settings and jobs to gain more experience and decide where I want to be, but without the cross country traveling aspect! Thanks.

I have wondered this too! There are always traveling positions open in my area. I’m going to ask one of my contacts at a traveling company what they think about traveling positions close to home!

Gina what area are you located in? It truly depends on the area you are in and what you define as a local commute. Example someone who will drive up to 90 miles will have a better chance than someone just driving up to 50 miles. Also if you are located in a destination area that is highly desirable it is unlikely.

What were your hours on a daily basis? Did you work more than 40 hours a week and could you expect a regular schedule?

I just asked Emily! Will let you know what I hear!

I just heard back from her! Here is what she said: "All of my contracts specified a guaranteed number of hours (usually 36-38). I went into overtime once and it was a special circumstance. Like everything, make sure it’s written in your contract and don’t sign it if you are uncomfortable with the minimum guaranteed hours. Hope that helps!"

This confirms my personal experience with how contract employees are used. Often companies want to fully utilize them after going through the effort of finding a traveler for their site- but, they do not want to pay the high overtime rates, so the hours stay at 40 or less!

Sara, I am currently in OT school and was wondering if there are a lot of international travel opportunities?

Hi! I am about to graduate and interested in travel OT. What company did you go with/ what companies do you recommend? 🙂

Hello! I’m really interested in doing travel OT and was wondering what chart you used to compare companies/what aspects were important to look at when choosing a travel company? Thank you!!

It is hard to compare company to company because at the end of the day it is about your recruiter. Great companies have bad recruiters and bad companies can still have good recruiters. The author was spot on about wanting someone who is detailed oriented and will listen to your requests. Your best bet is to talk to other travelers and see if they like their recruiter then do some research on the company they are with. Some companies can be well established with different departments and some companies can be two guys working in a spare bedroom.

Hi! I am in school to become an OT, and am seriously considering being a traveling OT. However, I do have a wife that I would be bringing along with me. She is more than happy to travel and see the country with me, but it adds a little complexity. Would we be responsible for paying for her travel, or would the company cover it? Also, about how long does a traveling OT stay in a location? I know it probably varies, but I would love to know if it usually changes weekly, monthly, etc. If we were to be in each location for 6 weeks, that would probably be long enough for it to be worth my wife getting a temporary job.

Very helpful article. Thank you!

Hello, I was wondering how much you pack for your assignments and what you do pack?

Hello there! What a wonderful read! Thanks a million. Is there any possible way to get some recommendations on companie(s) you’ve had good experiences with? I don’t personally know any OT travelers and have no idea where to start!

Hi Kim, I just added information on recommended companies (and some other resources) to my jobs page. I hope you find the information helpful! https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-jobs/

I was wondering if it’s possible to work as a travel OT for only 6 months?

I am heading into my FW2 placements starting this summer and I am very interested in travel OT. Would you mind sharing your spreadsheet comparing the various companies? Is there maybe a travel OT Facebook page where we can get information from experienced travelers? I have so many questions!

Hi Selena! I am going to try to get a copy of this spreadsheet for you. In the meantime, I highly recommend the travel therapists group on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1448521798747444/

Hi Selena! I just added an image of the spreadsheet to the bottom of this post! I hope you find it helpful!

I am a current level 2 student who will be graduating with her masters in May 2018. I was wondering about licensing as a traveling OT. Did you just get a temporary license in each state? Once you left that state did you ever have to do anything with that license, like recertification? If you wanted to go back to that state did you have to get another temporary license and is there an amount of time you have to wait before applying for another temp license?

Hey Meg! You can read about Emily’s experiences with licensing under the subheading "How did you decide which agency to go with?" I also sent her an email to see if she could provide even more info about the licensing process as this is a common question!

Hey Megan! I wanted to let you know that Emily answered your question in more detail. The question and her response are now at the bottom of the article! Thanks again for the question. I know licensing is a common query!

Hello. I am Masters level OT and graduated 6 years ago. I am currently in East Texas and would love to relocate back to my homeland of the Pacific Northwest. Do you have suggestions on favorable travel companies, recruiters you trust and or locations you enjoyed working?

Hi Laura! I just added some recommended travel companies to my jobs page! They are at the bottom of step #1, along with a FB group I recommend! Best of luck to you!! https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-jobs/

Hi Emily, I am about to graduate with my DrOT this May and I am very interested in traveling OT. Thank you for writing this article, it is very helpful. I have been in contact with a recruiter for a traveling company and it seems like a good company but I really should compare. I was really excited when I first thought about traveling therapy and hear about all the perks, but now that I am finding out about all these little hidden details, it’s making me a little bit skeptical. I was wondering if you could send me your spread sheet of comparing companies? [email protected] – Thank you!

Hey Amanda! You can see the image of spreadsheet in the image at the bottom of the article (I just added it!) I am sending you an email right now as well!

Hi Emily, I just wanted to thank you and everyone involved in creating this post. I am about to graduate with my masters in OT in a month and am really interested in starting by jumping right into travel therapy. I would also be very interested in seeing your spread sheet. So far I have been in contact with two different companies and I feel like they are all telling me just what I want to hear. I would be very interested in looking at your spread sheet and making sure that I am covering everything!!

Thanks so much!! Melanie [email protected]

Hi Melanie! Congrats on your upcoming graduation! If you look at the "Find the Right OT Job" image at the bottom of the post. You will see how Emily laid out her spreadsheet. The specific information she gathered in there was taken out as it was dated.

I also recommend you check out my 6 steps to the Right OT job. In Step #1, I list the travel companies I’ve been recommended over the years.

https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-jobs

I hope this is all helpful! Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!

Best, Sarah

Thank you so much for posting this! I was very hesitant about even considering travel therapy but this post made me feel slightly more comfortable with the idea.

I live in Richmond, VA and am having a hard time finding a new grad friendly job. I have talked with a few staffing agencies/recruiters and they have all said jobs in this area are hard to find. I have however been told there are a lot of contract positions for SNIF’s available. I have been told contract positions require the therapist to hit the ground running. I have no idea how billing and documentation work in a SNIF setting. I am afraid of doing contract work for that reason and my lack of experience in a SNIF.

Would you recommend travel therapy for someone like me, one that is a new grad and no experience in a SNIF setting? All my experience from school is in an acute care setting.

I would love any and all the advice you could give me. Thank you so much in advance!

Being as you are feeling apprehensive about a skilled nursing facility, I would definitely prioritize the availability of mentorship in your job hunt. I know Advanced Travel Therapy has a program. https://www.advancedtraveltherapy.com/new-grad/

Make clear as your looking at jobs that you want sufficient training in documentation and billing. If a location isn’t willing to provide adequate training, it isn’t the place for you!

With adequate training and a plan for mentorship the documentation in a SNF is definitely possible to pick up!

Best of luck to you! Let me know if you have any other questions. Sarah

P.S. If you haven’t found this interview yet, it might be helpful to you https://otpotential.com/blog/occupational-therapy-snf

Hey, So I was reading your section about getting your 13 week rotation cut short, well that happened to me today, I was 2 days in, loved my facility and then get the call the company hired someone permanent and wanted me to put in 2 weeks notice, how did you deal with getting out of your apartment and things like that? I am very stressed now and extremely disappointed as me and my wife were loving our first few days here.

Hi Mike! That is so disappointing!! I was just talking to Emily this past week about how difficult those 2-week notices can be. That has to be one of the most difficult parts of traveling. I know that she began to always try to negotiate that she have a 30-day notice to avoid the abrupt transitions. Are you a part of the Travel Therapy Therapists FB group? They always have such great advice or at the very least encouragement. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1448521798747444/

All the best to you and your wife as you figure out your next steps.

Hello! I am considering travel OT and wonder how you "deal" and manage things back home…like, where is your mail sent? Do you need a permanent residence in your previous state to maintain car insurance, etc… thanks.

I messaged Emily about his and here is what she said: "My permanent residence was my parents house. I had my mom take pictures of potentially important mail and text them to me so I could stay on top of it. She also forwarded things I physically needed in person-like car insurance and state licenses."

Let me know if you want me to keep digging about what people do who don’t have their parents house to fall back on as a permanent residence.

There is no actual law that states you need a permanent residence. If, as a traveler, you keep a majority of your belongings in a storage unit (think summer clothes vs. winter clothes) and have somewhere that you can put for car insurance (what address is your car registered to) then that will still qualify for the stipends and the IRS is fine with temporary residences. As for bills, I know many opt for online bill pay. I often suggest people sit with a financial planner or CPA in order to understand the finer points of "tax home" vs. permanent residence.

Thanks for this post! There seem to be a lot of travel companies out there. Are you able to share your list of potential companies and the research you did? I’m from Canada, finishing up in 2 months and looking for work in northern Washington. Thanks again

HI Sarah! On this page (under step 1) you will find a list of recommended travel companies. You can also email me at [email protected] , if you want a recommended recruiter from Advanced Travel!

https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-jobs/

Under step #2, you will find an example of the spreadsheet to help your research the companies! You will have to do your own digging about each company as all of the information has changed since Emily traveled. Good recruiters should help you answer the questions found on the spreadsheet! Good luck with your journey! Let me know, if I can help you in anyway other way!

Protherapy Staffing is by far the best travel company I have found!

How long have you been traveling with them? What have you liked about working with them?

Here is my page where I have my most recommended travel companies. If you leave me a comment on there about what you like about ProTherapy, I will do some research and consider adding it to my list! https://otpotential.com/occupational-therapy-jobs/

If you were to complete the classes that certain schools have for pre-occupational theraphy , would you be able to take the board exam to become a ota while still wanting to get a master’s in Ot . ?

Hi Kristina, Undergrad pre-occupational therapy programs help you complete the pre-requisites for OT school, and would not qualify you to sit for a COTA board exam. (To my understanding.) If you decide to pursue an associates degree as a OTA, there are bridge programs to becoming an OTR down the road. Here is a good overview of the pros and cons of taking this approach: https://www.myotspot.com/transition-cota-otr/

I am considering taking a travel therapy contract next September 2018 and I am curious if I should take my car or rent in the city where assigned? What do most therapists do about a car? Also do any of the travelling therapists go in a motorhome or RV to their assignments and how does that work in San Francisco? Can you park a motorhome on the street in San Fran? Thanks please send response to [email protected] – Thanks Mary

Hey Mary! These are such great questions. I would consider running them by the travel therapists Facebook group. There is a lot of knowledge in that group! It usually takes me a little bit to get questions to Emily and then get them up on the site and so they could also probably answer your questions in a more timely manner! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1448521798747444/

This is so exciting! I am a first semester OT student and have been wondering what traveling as an OT is like. Thanks for sharing!!

My name is Lisa and I am an OTD first year at Creighton University. Thank you so much for posting this! Could you recommend some other good articles about traveling OT you have found over the years? What were the main sites you went to as a traveling OT? Did your recruiter give you many options to choose from? Were you ever worried about not finding a placement you would be interested in?

I look forward to hearing from you,

Hi Lisa! For additional OT reading, I would definitely check out the travel therapy therapists group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1448521798747444/

Welcome to OT Nomad! My name is Stella and I am a Travel Occupational Therapist. I began my career as a travel therapist shortly after graduating with my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy in 2021. My passions include travel, personal growth and development, physical and mental health, and of course all things OT!

Like many, the journey to my career decision was filled with twists and turns. As a kid, I wanted to be an artist. I carried a wooden art box around filled with colored pencils, crayons, yarn, and glitter glue – all of the essentials for a professional artist in training. When I was a little older, I put on my fashion designer hat and carried a little notepad around with me where I would make sketches (doodles) of fancy dresses. In my Freshman year of high school, my history teacher asked us to go around the room and share our career aspirations. I remember my classmates sharing respectable job titles: veterinarian, engineer, doctor, etc. When it was my turn, the most truthful thing I could think to share was “Professional Adventurer.” That got some laughs and a high five from my teacher, but it was true in many ways. I didn’t know what my official job title would be in the future, but I always had a strong sense of wanderlust, and a desire to never settle in my personal or professional life.

When I started college, I could see myself working in healthcare as I was interested in biology and psychology. By the start of my Sophomore year, I majored in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Science. Despite looking into almost every health career under the sun, I still wasn’t sure of the path I would take as graduation was looming. I wanted a job where I could actually spend time connecting with patients, instead of making them feel like a number. I also wanted a job where I had the freedom to be creative and think outside of the box. Where was that job in the medical profession? Feeling a bit defeated, I decided at that point to just focus on finishing strong and revisit the career search when I had a bit more time and energy to devote to it.

One area of interest I looked into more after graduation was that of early intervention and child development. I was surprised to see OT listed as a service provider in that area. At that time, OT had been one of the career paths I was considering, but I wasn’t aware of how broad its scope was, and I was interested to learn how OTs worked with everyone, from babies to older adults. I began shadowing therapists working in settings ranging from early intervention to an adult neuro clinic. The therapists were spending quality time with their patients, working to come up with creative solutions to their physical, neurological, and cognitive challenges. The holistic nature of this profession excited me, and I could see myself potentially learning and growing as a clinician in this field for years to come. I started my first full time job working as a rehab tech in a SNF, and after getting to know the therapists and seeing the rewarding and impactful work that they did, I could see myself following in their footsteps. Two years after receiving my bachelor’s from VCU, I returned for grad school, and began working towards my doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. 

From the start, travel therapy was on my mind. I had grown up in Richmond, Virginia, and although I really loved the area, I wanted to see more of the country. Growing up, I struggled with anxiety and the feeling of not quite fitting in. Embarking on this path and ultimately growing through the many challenges of grad school did a lot for my self confidence, but I knew that I could only grow so much by staying in my hometown. I needed to step further outside of my comfort zone. On top of that, I really found myself enjoying a variety of OT settings. During my grad school experience, I completed fieldwork placements serving both children and adults, from acute care to school settings. I found each placement uniquely challenging and fulfilling, and didn’t want to pick just one to settle into so early in my career. As a travel therapist, I knew that I would not only have the freedom to travel the country, but I could experience a variety of work environments in my initial years as a clinician.  

I heard all of the conflicting advice, even from my professors. “Travelers are expected to hit the ground running” “You’ll have little to no mentorship” “You should really work for a few years in one setting before traveling” But I also knew of therapists who pursued travel as a new grad and had positive experiences. I did a ton of research, spoke with mentors who had started out on this path, and knew that I would regret not giving it a shot. What was there to lose? If travel therapy wasn’t for me, I could always come back and take a permanent position. I began speaking with travel recruiters around the time of graduation, and by August, I had secured a license in VA and NC, and accepted my first travel job! 

As of November 2021, upon nearing the end of my first assignment in Northwest VA, I can say that I have absolutely no regrets starting my OT career as a Professional Adventurer (AKA Travel Therapist). It comes with its unique set of challenges, and in my opinion, an even greater set of rewards. Now that I’m embarking on my personal dream, my goal for OT Nomad is to document my travels while equipping current and prospective travel therapists with the knowledge and confidence for success. Thank you for joining me on this journey! I’m excited to continue growing and learning as a clinician, and sharing my experiences along the way.

SEARCH BY REGION

Specialties, comphealth blog, exploring the country as a travel ot.

While most people are creatures of habit, Kristel C. is the exact opposite. “I love starting over and pushing myself out of my comfort zone,” says the travel occupational therapist.  

Kristel has been starting over — again and again — since 2014. From Texas to Alaska and Washington to North Carolina, she’s crisscrossed the country while working travel OT jobs with CompHealth, and she loves every minute of it.

A location for every mood

One of the biggest reasons Kristel loves traveling is getting to know new places. “I love exploring and seeing the beautiful scenery, learning new cultures, and meeting new people,” she says.

“Each location has had its enjoyments, from rafting and hiking in Alaska , to exploring the Hoh rainforest in Washington , to exploring Washington, D.C., and the Shenandoah mountains , to laying on the California beaches after a day of visiting theme parks. There is always something to do for whatever mood you might be in.”

She even anticipates the travel will be helpful in the future when she decides to settle down somewhere. “Each state has something different, and it’s a great way to find out what I like. When the time comes to stop traveling, I’ll have a good idea of where I want to be.”

Home is where the friends are

So far, Kristel says her favorite assignment has been in North Carolina , where she enjoyed the job and the scenery, but also met a group of people whom she now considers her best friends.

In addition to hiking and reading while on assignment, Kristel always puts in the effort to make friends. “I reach out through the travel Facebook group and other online groups,” she says. She also checks in with her recruiter to see if CompHealth has other travelers working nearby, and she finds a local church to attend, too.

Traveling isn’t just an opportunity to discover new places, but a chance to get to know people she never would have met otherwise.

An agency focused on her goals

Kristel didn’t start her travel career with CompHealth, but after some communication hiccups with another agency, a fellow traveler recommended she check out CompHealth.

“I called the rep and instantly felt like she and CompHealth would be a great fit for me. It felt like their focus was more on me and what my travel goals were, and less on marketing the company,” she says. “Switching to CompHealth was one of the best decisions I made.”

Kristel says everyone she’s worked with at CompHealth has been easy to work with. “The licensing department has been a blessing. They’ve helped me stay on track with managing 13 licenses. If there was an issue with pay, the payroll staff was always quick and efficient to correct a mistake.”

Advice for new travelers

For those considering following in her footsteps, she advises new travel OTs to pack less than you think you’ll need. “It will still be too much!” she says.

Most of all, she recommends taking advantage of the opportunity to learn from the new places, people, and ways of doing things you’ll encounter. Her mantra: “Be flexible!” — it makes all the difference.

Ready to learn more about life as a travel occupational therapist ? Give us a call at 800.453.3030 or view today's travel OT job opportunities .

Alisa Tank is a content specialist at CHG Healthcare. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, road trips, and exploring Utah’s desert landscapes.

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