What new graduates actually earn traveling — and why it's dramatically more than permanent positions.
| Discipline | Permanent New Grad | Travel New Grad | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PT | $68,000-$78,000/yr | $83,000-$110,000/yr | +$15,000-$32,000 |
| OT | $62,000-$72,000/yr | $78,000-$105,000/yr | +$16,000-$33,000 |
| SLP | $65,000-$75,000/yr | $78,000-$108,000/yr | +$13,000-$33,000 |
| PTA | $42,000-$52,000/yr | $55,000-$80,000/yr | +$13,000-$28,000 |
| COTA | $42,000-$50,000/yr | $55,000-$78,000/yr | +$13,000-$28,000 |
Travel figures assume ~46 working weeks. The gap is even larger in after-tax take-home because non-taxable stipends reduce your effective tax rate.
The salary table above shows gross numbers. But the real magic is in after-tax take-home. A new grad PT earning $100,000/year in travel therapy with $45,000 in non-taxable stipends keeps approximately $85,000. That same PT earning $75,000 permanently keeps about $57,000. The actual spending-money difference is closer to $28,000/year.
Over 2-3 years of travel, that's $56,000-$84,000 more in your pocket — enough to eliminate most student debt entirely. See our student loan payoff guide for the full math.
Location: Rural and less popular locations pay premium rates. Popular destinations (beach cities, mountain towns) pay less. A new grad willing to go where others won't can earn top dollar.
Setting: SNF positions are the most common for new grads and pay well. Outpatient varies. See best settings for new grads.
Agency choice: This is the biggest lever you control. The same assignment through different agencies can vary $200-$400/week because of different agency margins and how they structure your package.
Get your own health insurance. If you're under 26, stay on your parent's plan. Otherwise, a Marketplace plan often costs less than agency insurance premiums — and frees you to choose agencies purely on who pays the most. See our insurance guide.
Work with 2-3 agencies simultaneously. Compare packages for the same region. You'll be surprised how much they vary.
Be flexible on location. High-paying rural assignments for one contract fund a dream-location contract next.
Negotiate. Even as a new grad, ask if the rate can be improved. The worst answer is no.
Connect with professionals who specialize in placing new grad travelers.