The DirectStaff blog
Straight talk on travel therapy pay, staffing economics, and why transparency changes what therapists earn and facilities spend.
For TherapistsHow Much Do Travel Physical Therapists Make in 2026?
Travel PT pay starts with the bill rate but is decided by the margin taken out of it. Here's how weekly packages work, what BLS data says about PT wages, and how to read a real take-home number.
June 8, 2026 · DirectStaff Team
What 'Direct Staffing' Means for Travel Therapists
Most travel therapy pay is set by a markup you never see. Here's what a direct staffing marketplace changes, and why it matters for your take-home.
June 9, 2026
For TherapistsTravel Therapy Pay Packages Explained: Where Your Money Actually Goes
A travel pay package isn't a salary — it's a bill rate with several cuts taken out before it reaches you. Here's the full path from facility budget to your bank account, and what to demand to see.
June 7, 2026
For TherapistsTravel OT and SLP Pay in 2026: What to Expect by Setting and State
Occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists command strong, growing wages. Here's what BLS data shows, how travel pay shifts by setting, and why location moves your number as much as discipline does.
June 6, 2026
For TherapistsWhy Two Travel Therapists on the Same Contract Can Earn Different Pay
Same facility, same week, same caseload — different paychecks. The reason isn't your negotiation skills. It's the invisible margin between the bill rate and your wage, and it varies more than you think.
June 5, 2026
For FacilitiesWhat Travel Therapy Staffing Actually Costs Facilities in 2026
When you pay a travel therapy bill rate, only part of it reaches the clinician. Here's where the rest goes, why legacy markups run so high, and how to tell what you're actually buying.
June 4, 2026
For FacilitiesHow Rural Hospitals and SNFs Can Cut Travel Therapy Costs Without Cutting Pay
Rural facilities pay the most for travel therapy and can least afford it. The way out isn't lower therapist pay — it's removing the intermediary layers that make the same coverage cost more.
June 3, 2026
For FacilitiesVMS vs. Direct Staffing Marketplace: What's the Difference?
A vendor management system and a direct marketplace solve the same problem — filling clinical gaps — in opposite ways. One adds a coordinating layer; the other removes layers. Here's how each works and what it costs.
June 2, 2026
For FacilitiesThe True Cost of an Unfilled Therapy Position
An empty therapy slot doesn't just delay care — it caps admissions, forfeits revenue, and strains the staff who stay. Here's how to price a vacancy so you can compare it honestly against the cost to fill it.
June 1, 2026