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. 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. A recruiter emails you about your request.
Free and confidential. Tick the text box and a recruiter texts you right away. A recruiter emails you about your request.
Free and confidential. Tick the text box and a recruiter texts you right away. A recruiter emails you about your request.
Free and confidential. Tick the text box and a recruiter texts you right away. A recruiter emails you about your request.
Free and confidential. Tick the text box and a recruiter texts you right away. A recruiter emails you about your request.
Free and confidential. Tick the text box and a recruiter texts you right away. A recruiter emails you about your request.
Free and confidential. Tick the text box and a recruiter texts you right away. A recruiter emails you about your request.