Are you a physical therapist considering a career change? You’re not alone. Maybe the routine of your current staff job is getting old or maybe you just need something new. As the field of healthcare continues to evolve in 2025, more PTs are asking: Should I leave my staff PT job for a travel PT job?
To help you decide, we’re answering the most common questions physical therapists have when comparing travel PT and staff roles. From pay and benefits to lifestyle and professional growth, this Q&A will help show you what each path might look like so you can make the choice that works best for you.
Q: I’m working in a staff position as a PT and feel stuck. Is it common to explore new career paths?
Definitely. There are a lot of physical therapists that after time find the work they’re doing starts to become repetitive. If you’re looking to experience new challenges, a chance to travel the country and explore new places, or just for a change in lifestyle, you’re not alone. More PTs are considering a change in career paths, and travel physical therapy is becoming more popular.
Q: What is a travel physical therapy job?
Travel PT jobs are contracts (usually about 13 weeks) where you work in different facilities across the country, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, or home health agencies for temporary coverage. Travel PT jobs help facilities fill urgent staffing gaps while allowing you to explore new cities and care settings.
At Advantis Medical, our recruiters help PTs find assignments, manage travel arrangements, and make sure each contract maximizes your earnings and career goals.
Q: How does travel PT pay compare to staff PT roles?
Here’s a quick breakdown:Travel PTs often earn more weekly, especially with tax-free stipends. Staff PTs benefit from long-term perks like retirement plans and job security.
Q: If I want to earn more money, should I go into travel PT?
If your main goal is to earn more money each week, travel PT generally pays better. The average travel physical therapy salary is between $1,800 to $2,560 per week (or $95,500 – $133,500 annually), with some high-demand roles paying over $3,000/week.
Plus, travel PTs get tax-free stipends to cover housing, meals, and other expenses while on travel PT assignments. A typical monthly housing stipend might be $1,500 or more. Whatever you don’t spend on your housing, you get to keep.
Staff physical therapy roles come with more predictable paychecks & benefits. The average annual wage for physical therapists sits around $101,020 a year.
Q: How much flexibility do I get with travel PT?
A lot. Travel PTs have the flexibility to choose their assignment locations, the length of their contract, and whether or not they want to take breaks between jobs. Want winters in Texas and summers in Maine? You can do that. Want to take two weeks off between assignments for a beach trip? Travel assignments make it easy.
Working in a staff position gives you a more stable routine and consistency. Your schedule, your team, and your patients aren’t changing every couple of months. Staff PT jobs offer a fixed schedule and location, which can be great if you’re settling down in one area, but there isn’t as much flexibility.
Q: What kind of lifestyle can I expect with Travel PT jobs?
The Travel PT lifestyle is full of change and new experiences. Every few months, you’re exploring a new place, meeting new people, and treating different patients. You’ll need to adjust to new charting systems, EMRs, and policies as part of the job.
Staff PTs have a more stable long-term routine. You get to know your schedule, your team, and your patients well. You have more time to build deeper relationships and really fit into your community.
Q: How do staff and travel PT roles affect professional growth?
It depends on how you want to grow.
Travel PTs get to experience a wide range of settings and skills. In travel therapy, each new contract is an opportunity to expand your skills. You might work with neuro patients one contract and post-op ortho patients the next. You get experience with different charting systems, patient populations and types of care. This diverse experience helps you build confidence and become more adaptable . Working as a travel PT is a huge resume booster, having experience from multiple places and settings shows versatility which builds your resume and makes you stand out in interviews with future employers.
Staff PTs have more access to structured mentorship and continuing education support through their employer. You’re more likely to specialize (e.g., pediatrics or sports rehab) and potentially get promoted into leadership roles when working for a single organization over a long period of time.
Q: Can I switch between travel and staff?
You can definitely switch. Many PTs travel early on in their careers to explore and experience new places, then settle into a staff job later when they’re ready for more stability. Other PTs do the opposite, working in permanent staff roles for years, then choosing to travel later on for a more adventurous lifestyle or for financial reasons.
It’s all about what your goals are right now. Your choice today doesn’t have to be your choice forever.
Q: What’s the difference between staff and travel PT positions when it comes to building relationships with patients or coworkers ?
With staff roles, you build bonds over a longer period of time. You see your patients progress through their care and become a reliable piece of their healthcare team. Your co-workers can often become long-term friends or mentors.
In travel therapy roles, the relationships you form can be shorter-term, but you’ll meet a wide range of professionals across the country, which can help widen your professional network. You’ll learn to be more adaptable, communicate quickly, and form fast connections.
Q: How does Advantis Medical support travel PTs?
At Advantis Medical, our goal isn’t to just place you in a job, we’re here to build a partnership that supports you every step of the way. Our dedicated therapy recruiters specialize exclusively in physical therapy placements, so you can trust that the person you’re working with really understands your role, your goals, and what matters most to you on assignment.
We take the time to get to know you so we can match you with assignments that align with your skills, lifestyle, and long-term plans. You’ll never be pushed into a role that isn’t the right fit.
With over 700+ five-star reviews from real travel clinicians, we’ve earned a reputation for outstanding service and genuine support. When you travel with Advantis, you’re not just working with an agency—you’re joining a team that’s really got your back.
Q: How do I know if travel PT is right for me?
Travel PT works well for:
- PTs early in their career who want fast growth
- Clinicians who want to travel and experience new environments
- Adventurers who enjoy exploring new cities
- Anyone looking to boost savings quickly
You’ll need to be independent, flexible, and open to change. If that excites you more than it stresses you out, travel PT might be a great fit.
Q: How do I know if I’m better suited for a staff PT position?
Staff roles are ideal for:
- PTs who want a long-term routine and consistency
- Providers focused on clinical specialization
- Clinicians building a family or planting roots
- Those who prefer team stability and structured development
If your goals include moving into leadership or growing within one system, staff roles can offer a clearer path.
Q: How do I decide between Travel PT or staff?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want adventure or routine?
- Is my priority higher income or long-term security?
- Do I enjoy fresh starts often or prefer to stick with familiar environments?
Final Thoughts: What’s Your Next Move?
Travel PT positions and permanent staff positions each have their own unique benefits. There isn’t one path that is necessarily better than the other; it’s about which fits you and your goals best right now. You can always revisit your decision later on in your career.
If you’re curious about travel PT jobs and want to see what options are available, Advantis Medical is here to help. Our recruiters will work with you to find assignments that align with your goals—whether you’re seeking better pay, new experiences, or just a fresh start.
An Agency That Truly Cares
We take great pride in supporting travel therapists with more than just top travel physical therapy jobs—we’re building trusted, long-term partnerships that make your journey smoother, more rewarding, and stress-free. With over 700+ 5-star reviews and dozens of real testimonials sharing their experiences, we’ve earned our reputation as the #1 travel nurse agency.
Our Advantis Gold Standard ensures you receive personalized support, exclusive travel job opportunities, and a level of care designed to put you first. Whether you want one-on-one guidance from a Pro Recruiter or prefer to explore travel jobs on your own, we’re here to make it easy. Start your next adventure today—explore high-paying travel jobs and discover what’s possible!
