Travel Therapist Jobs: 5 Best Summer 2025 Destinations
What Is Travel Therapy?
Looking for higher pay without locking into a year‑long lease? Travel therapy lets you accept 13‑week contracts, step into in‑demand roles, and explore new cities while FlexCare handles the job search, licensing, and stipends.
Why Travel Therapy in Summer 2025?
FlexCare’s job‑board data indicates that the number of high‑pay travel‑therapy postings rises each summer as hospitals cover staff vacations, and compact licenses shorten paperwork.
Top Summer City Destinations of 2025
We simply reviewed live travel therapy listings on the FlexCare public job board (July 2025). Cities with the greatest number of high‑pay PT, OT, and SLP postings rise to the top. We prioritize states offering compact‑license privileges or straightforward licensing timelines. Finally, recruiters weighed lifestyle perks, outdoor access, food scenes, and weekend‑adventure potential to create the final five.
Where Pay Meets Play at a Glance
Rank | City | Advertised weekly pay band* | License speed | Summer vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Honolulu, HI | USD 2 000 + | 4–6 weeks (state board) |
|
2 | Austin, TX | High USD 1 000s – low USD 2 000s | Same‑day PT/OT/SLP compacts |
|
3 | Denver, CO | USD 2 200 + | Instant PT/OT compact · SLP compact September 2025 |
|
4 | Portland, OR | Around USD 2 000 | PT compact · OT/SLP late 2025 |
|
5 | Asheville, NC | Upper USD 1 000s | Instant PT/OT compact |
|
*All figures sourced from the FlexCare public job board ( 8 July 2025). Actual rates vary by setting and experience.
1. Honolulu, Hawaii
Why you will love it
Work ends with Waikiki sunsets and 271 sunny days per year. Every trail finishes at amazing turquoise waters.
License steps and fees
- Submit state application – USD 150
- Provide NBCOT or NPTE verification
- Complete background check – USD 50
Plan to start Hawaii paperwork about a month out, so the board has time to process your application.
Approximate cost snapshot and stipend tips
Item | Average cost | Stretch your stipend |
|---|---|---|
Housing near Ala Moana | ≈ USD 2 k/Mo | Split with another traveler to cut rent |
Gas (per gallon) | ≈ USD 5 | Grab a monthly bus pass to beat fuel costs |
Ahi poke bowl | ≈ USD 15 | Shop local markets and prep your own poke |
Local tip: Ride TheBus Route 60 to the North Shore for shrimp trucks and empty beaches.
48‑hour weekend itinerary
Friday PM – Sunset hike up Diamond Head, malasadas at Koko Head Café.
Saturday – Lanikai kayak in the morning, food‑truck lunch, catamaran cruise at sunset.
Sunday – Early snorkel at Hanauma Bay and plate‑lunch brunch.
2. Austin, Texas
Why you will love it
Zero state income tax, breakfast tacos bigger than your scrubs pocket, and 250 live‑music venues.
License steps and fees
- Purchase compact privilege online – USD 60
- Submit jurisprudence exam – USD 48
- Start work in 24 hours
Approximate cost snapshot and stipend tips
Item | Average cost | Stretch your stipend |
|---|---|---|
Furnished studio, South Congress | ≈ USD 1.5 k/Mo | Stipend typically covers housing in full |
Brisket plate at Franklin | ≈ USD 25 | Share a plate or order sample trays |
Rideshare to hospital | ≈ USD 10 | Rent a Lime scooter for micro‑commutes |
Local tip: Beat Barton Springs crowds by visiting Deep Eddy Pool at 07:00.
48‑hour weekend itinerary
Friday PM – Lady Bird Lake paddle at dawn, Veracruz tacos.
Saturday – Barton Springs plunge then Franklin Barbecue feast.
Sunday – South Congress murals and two‑step at The White Horse.
3. Denver, Colorado
Why you will love it
Trailhead by 17:00, rooftop beer by 20:00. Around 245 sunny days each year give you plenty of both.
License steps and fees
Step | PT & OT | SLP |
|---|---|---|
Compact privilege | USD 60, same day | Arrives September 2025 |
State jurisprudence exam | USD 25 | USD 25 |
Approximate cost snapshot and stipend tips
Item | Average cost | Stretch your stipend |
|---|---|---|
One‑bedroom in Capitol Hill | ≈ USD 1.8 k/mo | House‑share to bank extra stipend |
Craft‑brew flight | ≈ USD 12 | Mug‑club memberships cut repeat costs |
Rocky Mountain National Park weekend pass | ≈ USD 30 | America the Beautiful annual pass pays off after three visits |
Local tip: Sunrise coffee at Huckleberry Roasters then hike St. Mary’s Glacier.
48‑hour weekend itinerary
Friday PM – Red Rocks sunrise stair workout.
Saturday – Craft‑brew crawl in RiNo’s mural alleys.
Sunday – Mount Evans scenic drive above the clouds.
4. Portland, Oregon
Why you will love it
Waterfalls at breakfast, food‑cart pods at lunch, and sunset from a century‑old mansion lawn.
License steps and fees
- PT compact privilege – USD 60
- OT & SLP regular license – processing 6–8 weeks, USD 150
- CEU certificate uploads online
Approximate cost snapshot and stipend tips
Item | Average cost | Stretch your stipend |
|---|---|---|
Furnished studio in the Pearl | ≈ USD 1.7 k/Mo | Live east of the river to save hundreds |
Public‑transit day pass | ≈ USD 5 | Skip rental cars and pocket the difference |
Pour‑over at Stumptown | ≈ USD 5 | Brew at home for about USD 1 per cup |
Local tip: On clear nights, head to Rocky Butte for a 360‑degree sunset without the Pittock Mansion crowds.
48‑hour weekend itinerary
Friday PM – Columbia Gorge waterfall loop before tourists wake up.
Saturday – Farmers‑market lunch then vintage treasure hunt on Hawthorne.
Sunday – Sunset at Rocky Butte with take‑out ramen.
5. Asheville, North Carolina
Why you will love it
Blue Ridge peaks, river tubing, and more breweries per capita than any U.S. city.
License steps and fees
Step | PT & OT | SLP |
|---|---|---|
Compact privilege | USD 60, instant | ASLP‑IC expected late 2025 |
State jurisprudence exam | USD 40 | USD 40 |
Approximate cost snapshot and stipend tips
Item | Average cost | Stretch your stipend |
|---|---|---|
Furnished loft downtown | ≈ USD 1.5 k/Mo | Plenty of stipend left for mountain‑town fun |
Tubing rental on French Broad | ≈ USD 25 | Pack lunch; still cheaper than city parking |
Blue Ridge Parkway weekend fuel | ≈ USD 20 | Scenic bliss on a budget |
Local tip: Skip-packed breweries and watch sunset from The Montford rooftop with craft cider.
48‑hour weekend itinerary
Friday PM – Blue Ridge Parkway cruise to Craggy Gardens at dawn.
Saturday – Tubing on the French Broad River.
Sunday – Downtown busker stroll with farm‑to‑table dinner.
Ready to Live Your Postcard?
Your next contract can pay top dollar and feel like a vacation. Chat with a FlexCare recruiter to bundle license help, housing hacks, and a start date that aligns with your summer bucket list.
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