Summer Contracts: Where the Hot Jobs Are

Summer is the season of opportunity in travel therapy. School-based therapists wrap up the academic year and flood into clinical settings, facilities staff up for vacation coverage, and some of the most desirable locations in the country open up contracts that don't exist the rest of the year. If you play it right, summer can be your highest-earning quarter AND your best quality-of-life experience.

Here's where the jobs are, what's driving demand, and how to position yourself for the best summer contracts in 2025.

Why Summer Is Different

Travel therapy demand follows seasonal patterns that are surprisingly consistent year to year. Summer brings three major shifts. First, permanent staff take vacations, creating coverage needs at facilities that don't normally use travelers. These "vacation backfill" contracts often pop up at desirable facilities in competitive markets that are hard to break into during other seasons.

Second, school-based therapists finishing their contracts in May and June create a temporary surplus of available clinicians, which can increase competition for popular locations. Starting your search early — right now, in May — gives you first pick before that wave hits.

Third, certain geographic regions see population surges in summer. Resort towns, beach communities, and mountain destinations all experience increased healthcare demand as seasonal residents and tourists arrive. This creates unique contract opportunities you won't find in winter.

Top Summer Destinations for 2025

Coastal New England

Cape Cod, coastal Maine, and the Rhode Island shore are perennial summer favorites. SNF and home health settings see increased census as seasonal residents return, and outpatient clinics pick up tourist traffic from sports injuries and outdoor recreation. Pay rates run $1,800–$2,200/week, and you'll spend your weekends on some of the best beaches in the country.

Mountain West

Colorado, Montana, and Idaho are booming in summer. Ski towns that are quiet in the off-season come alive, and facilities in these areas often struggle to attract permanent staff year-round. Travel PTs with orthopedic skills are in high demand for treating hiking, biking, and climbing injuries. Rates are solid ($1,900–$2,300/week) and the outdoor lifestyle is unmatched.

Pacific Northwest

Seattle, Portland, and the broader Washington-Oregon region offer the best of summer without extreme heat. Demand stays strong across all settings, and as we noted in our state pay rankings, Washington's zero income tax makes take-home particularly attractive.

Upper Midwest

Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula are underrated summer gems. Lake country living, friendly communities, and facilities willing to pay premium rates to attract travelers during their peak season. If you've never experienced a Minnesota summer, you're missing out — it's nothing like the winters.

Southwest Desert (Contrarian Play)

Here's a counterintuitive move: Arizona and Nevada facilities sometimes offer the highest summer rates precisely because nobody wants to be in the desert when it's 115°F. If you're heat-tolerant and motivated by pay, summer Phoenix or Las Vegas contracts can come with significant rate premiums. Air-conditioned facilities and affordable housing make it more livable than the weather suggests.

Settings With the Strongest Summer Demand

SNF and Long-Term Care: Summer is peak census season at many skilled nursing facilities as post-surgical patients transition from hospitals during the high-volume spring surgery season. Expect steady demand and competitive rates.

Home Health: Patients who were homebound during winter become more active and more injury-prone in summer. Home health agencies ramp up staffing, and the autonomy of home health practice appeals to many travelers.

Outpatient Ortho: Sports injuries, recreational accidents, and post-surgical rehab all spike in summer. Outpatient clinics in active communities see their busiest months June through September.

Acute Care: Hospitals maintain steady need year-round, but summer vacation coverage creates additional openings. If you've been targeting a specific hospital or health system, summer might be your window. Check our current job listings to see what's available now.

Pay Rate Trends for Summer 2025

Summer rates tend to follow a predictable pattern: they peak in May and June as facilities scramble to fill positions before permanent staff vacations begin, then stabilize through August before climbing again as fall contract season kicks off. If you're flexible on start date, accepting a contract that begins in late May or early June often captures the highest rates of the season.

Across all settings and locations, we're seeing summer 2025 travel PT rates averaging $1,900–$2,400/week, with OT rates running about 5–10% lower and SLP rates varying widely by setting (school-based SLP rates for summer ESY programs can be surprisingly competitive). Rural and hard-to-staff locations continue to offer the strongest pay premiums — a pattern that holds true regardless of season.

How to Lock Down the Best Contract

Timing is everything. The best summer contracts are posted in April and May and filled by early June. If you're reading this and haven't started looking, start today. Here's your action plan:

Submit your application to multiple agencies now — don't wait until your current contract ends. Have your credentials, licenses, and compliance documents ready to go. If you need a license in a new state, start that process immediately, as some state boards take 4–6 weeks. Be clear with your recruiter about your preferred locations, settings, and minimum acceptable pay. And negotiate — summer demand is strong, which gives you leverage. Review our negotiation tactics from March before accepting any offer.

June's issue covers a topic every traveler should understand: The PT Compact Explained: Which States Are In?