Spring 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest markets for travel therapists in the past two years. After a period of rate compression through most of 2025, bill rates are climbing again — and certain markets are leading the charge.
Three factors are converging: seasonal census increases at SNFs as winter illness recovery drives admissions, a wave of permanent staff retirements that accelerated through late 2025, and several large health systems expanding their travel therapy programs after cutting them during the post-COVID correction.
Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas are seeing SNF bill rates up 8-12% compared to the same period last year. A PT contract that was billing $55/hour in spring 2025 is now billing $60-62/hour in the same facilities. The gross weekly packages for PTs in this region are consistently hitting $2,400-2,700.
No surprise here — California continues to offer the highest raw pay numbers. But the news is that the premium has actually grown. Outpatient PT contracts in the Bay Area are billing at $70-75/hour with gross weekly packages exceeding $3,200. The downside remains the cost of living, but therapists who find affordable housing are netting more than anywhere else in the country.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and Houston corridor are both seeing significant hospital system expansions. Several systems that eliminated travel positions in 2024 are now aggressively rehiring travelers at premium rates. OT and SLP positions in Texas acute care are particularly strong.
If your current contract is ending in March or April, you're in the best negotiating position of the year. Start conversations with your recruiter now — don't wait until your contract ends. The best spring contracts get filled 4-6 weeks out.
If you're being offered the same rates as 6 months ago, push back. The market has moved. A good recruiter will confirm that bill rates have increased and adjust your package accordingly. If they won't, talk to another agency.
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