Can you travel as a new grad? Yes — and with the right agency, you can earn $20,000–$40,000 more in your first year than in a permanent staff position. Here’s how to choose wisely.
🎓 New grad travel therapy is real and increasingly common. The key differences from experienced traveler rankings: mentorship availability, state board support, clinical supervision access, and onboarding quality matter MORE than raw pay at this stage. Pay still matters — a lot — but new grads need agencies who won’t throw them in the deep end without support.
Yes. Most agencies accept new grads, and most facilities are accustomed to working with newer clinicians. The caveat: some SNF contracts prefer 1+ year of experience. Your agency should help you find new-grad-friendly facilities that provide adequate clinical support.
New grad travel therapists typically earn $1,800–$2,800/week all-in (taxable pay + tax-free stipends). This often exceeds staff PT/OT/SLP salaries by $15,000–$40,000/year. Student loan payoff strategies combined with travel pay make this a powerful financial move in year 1–3 of your career.
SNF and outpatient ortho are the most new-grad-friendly travel settings. SNF volume is high, supervision is available on-site, and the caseload builds clinical skills quickly. Avoid acute care or ICU settings as your first contract — those require more independent clinical judgment.
“Is this facility new-grad-friendly?” “Will there be experienced therapists on site for clinical questions?” “What is the typical caseload/productivity expectation?” “Can I speak with a current traveler at this facility?” Any recruiter who hesitates on these questions is a red flag.
The agency you choose for your first contract sets the tone for your entire travel career. Get matched with the highest-rated agency for new grad therapists — free.
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