If you want to renew your sense of purpose and excitement, a career composed of allied health travel jobs may be for you. Numerous job specialties fall into this line of work, including travel imaging jobs, travel RRT jobs, travel surgical tech jobs and many others.

From learning which allied travel careers might suit you best, to what it means to be a travel allied health professional, how much you can earn, and more, we want to welcome you to your guide to all things travel allied related.

What is a career in allied health?

According to the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP), allied health may be defined as those health professions that are distinct from medicine and nursing. Sixty percent of the U.S. healthcare workforce may be classified as allied health.

Like travel nurses, allied health travel professionals work one short-term contract at a time, usually about 12-14 weeks each, at different hospitals and facilities. It is common for these contracts to get extended, which means an allied health professional will stay at one hospital for an extended period of time. If traveling and exploring as many cities and clinical settings as possible is important, after your initial contract is over, you would then go on to the next one.

What career allows you to travel?

There are plenty of career choices that include travel. If you want to combine your love of exploring new places with helping others, a travel nurse or travel allied health professional is a good fit.

What are the responsibilities of allied health professionals?

As an allied health professional, you will play an essential role in helping others through the identification, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of acute and chronic diseases and disorders, provision of dietary and nutrition services, rehabilitation services, or the management and operation of health systems.

What is an example of an allied health professional?

Some of the specialties that allied healthcare professionals fall into include:

Physical Therapists
Medical Assistants
Pharmacy Techs
Pathologists
Emergency Medical Assistants
Radiographers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Respiratory Care Therapists
Imaging and Radiology Professionals
Laboratory Technicians
Audiologist
Pharmacists
Surgical Technologist
Dietitians
Occupational Therapists

Cross Country partners with renowned hospitals and healthcare facilities as well as retail institutions, schools, long-term care facilities, and home health organizations.

How much money do allied professionals make?

The compensation varies by hospital and geographical location and is comparable, if not more than what you might earn in a traditional full-time staff position, depending on demand. Your compensation package will often include a combination of an hourly rate, various benefits such as medical and dental insurance and 401(k), continuing education credits, and reimbursements like travel and housing expenses, licensing costs, and professional liability coverage that may differ for each assignment.

An allied health professional salary can vary widely depending on several factors, including the specific location of the job and the experience level of an individual employee. Additionally, many allied health job opportunities offer flexible schedules, tuition reimbursement, and other perks.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of some of the most popular allied health professions. On the higher end, someone could make well over six figures while exploring the country.

Dietician $61,650
Medical Assistant $37,190
Physical Therapist $95,620
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) $36,930
Speech-Language Therapist $79,060
Occupational Therapist $85,570
Radiographer or Radiologic Technologist $61,980
Respiratory Therapist $61,830
Dental Assistant $38,660
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) $37,190

How do I start a career in allied health?

Most hospitals and healthcare facilities require allied health professionals to have at least one year of experience in the specialty they will be contracted for. This can vary by assignment and hospital, so the best way to determine if you will qualify for a specific assignment is to contact a recruiter directly. Cross Country can help answer all of your questions, whether you are new to allied health or looking to make a change.

Is allied health a good career?

If you want to be in the healthcare industry and love to explore new places, meet new people, and experience various clinical settings, allied health is a great career. It provides flexibility, a sense of adventure, possible elevated pay when you're called in to save the day when a full-time employee isn't available, a possible reduced tax rate for the majority of your income, and new friendships that can last a lifetime.

Cross Country travel professionals receive comprehensive healthcare benefits, including medical and dental insurance with prescription coverage (also available for dependents), life insurance, free professional liability coverage, supplemental and short-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Additional benefits include competitive compensation, pay shift differentials, sign-on and completion bonuses on select assignments, referral bonuses, overtime incentives, direct deposit, and travel reimbursement allowances.

What is the highest paying allied health job?

Salaries will vary, even within the same specialty, depending on location, cost of living, and experience. For example, as a physical therapist starting out, you may earn under $30,000. With years of experience, you could earn a six-figure salary. As an occupational therapist, you will also have an extensive range in pay, earning even more than a physical therapist.

Is there a shortage of allied health professionals?

The answer is yes. Due to the lack of people in full-time healthcare positions, plenty of allied healthcare jobs exist. In 2022, 1,005 healthcare facilities found that 85% were dealing with a shortage of workers in allied health roles. As a result, 59% turned to temporary workers to help fill the gap, which is why travel allied professionals are in such demand.

Why do I want to work in allied health?

There are many reasons why someone would want a career in allied health. For starters, there is a special collaboration between allied and medical staff to deliver quality patient care and health solutions. Plus, as mentioned, there is a steady demand for allied healthcare professionals. There's a lot of room for advancement in the allied healthcare realm, and a travel option creates an exciting aspect of the job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for healthcare professionals is expected to grow 13% between 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average growth for all occupations. The BLS further projects nearly two million openings per year in healthcare as workers retire or leave the profession for other reasons.

This means that if you're looking for a career that can always provide you with stable employment opportunities, working as an allied health professional should be at the top of your list. Here are some job growth projections through 2031 for several in-demand allied health professions:

Dietician 7%
Medical Assistant 16%
Physical Therapist 17%
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 7%
Speech-Language Therapist 21%
Occupational Therapist 14%
Radiographer or Radiologic Technologist 6%
Respiratory Therapist 14%
Dental Assistant 8%
Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) 16%

Is allied health the same as nursing?

An allied health professional is different from nursing. Allied health refers to jobs outside what you might consider traditional healthcare professions, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, and others. There are travel nurses, just like travel allied health professionals, so it may be confusing to separate the two careers.

How is allied health different from medicine?

When you think about a medical career as a nurse, hospitals and clinics come to mind first. Think of allied healthcare as a broader range of facilities to practice in, such as schools, nursing homes, corporate offices, and more. In addition, allied health tends to focus on a recovery and preventative approach, whereas the medical industry focuses on diagnosis and cures, a reactive approach. Both healthcare career paths collaborate to provide the best care and help one another accomplish their roles.

What are the types of allied health?

Allied health professionals fall into four categories:

Technicians
Assistants
Therapists
Technologists

Within these categories, there are several specialties, therefore, many to choose from.

Why is it called allied health?

The origin of the term 'allied health' is up for debate and not easy to find. The National Library of Medicine tells us "in the late 1970s, a National Commission on Allied Health Education, supported by a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to the American Society of Allied Health Professionals, tried to formulate a consensus definition." This definition "did not draw boundaries that exclude groups or healthcare providers, nor does it describe commonalities of task or education that define the fields to be included."

What was the definition? "... all health personnel working toward the common goal of providing the best possible service in patient care and health promotion." "The commission chose to focus thematically on "alliances that need to be built" and "the collaborative approach to providing health services" as part of a team—an approach that has value when the overall purpose of the definition is to bind together a disparate group of practitioners, which makes sense, since "allied" means united.

How do allied health professionals contribute to healthcare success?

Allied health professionals collaborate with medical professionals to combine their expertise to provide the best patient care.

What is a travel technician?

Now that you have a bit of education under your belt let's dive deeper into specific allied healthcare career paths and start with a travel technician. There are quite a few positions that fall under this specialty. Here is a sampling of current travel technician jobs you can explore with Cross Country.

What does a travel technologist do?

Every specialty under a travel technician plays a unique role in patient care. If we look at our list above, we can start with an MRI technologist who operates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. In addition to preparing patients for and conducting imaging procedures, MRI technologists adjust and maintain equipment, follow physician orders, operate computerized equipment, and keep detailed patient records.

They work in healthcare facilities, typically hospitals, and have an associate degree and may or may not be required to be licensed, although they are usually certified. The job outlook for MRI technologists is expected to grow 9% between 2018 and 2028, and their annual median wage was $60,510 in 2019.

What is a travel patient care technician?

As a travel patient care technician, you will support doctors and other medical staff like nurses with such tasks as collecting blood samples, taking vital signs, and more. The travel portion of the job means you may work at multiple locations on a short-term basis, depending on what is needed.

How do I become a travel patient care technician?

The certification requirements differ by state, but in general, a patient care technician must be a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or assistant/nurse aide (CNA) to enroll in a PCT certificate program.

Is becoming a traveling physical therapist (PT) for me?

There are many rewarding career options in the healthcare industry, but when it comes to the desired combination of excellent compensation and low-stress levels, you can't beat the life of a physical therapist.

That said, you'll want to ensure you possess or are willing to acquire several skills that will make you a good fit for the role of a physical therapist. Most importantly, as with any career in the healthcare field, it helps to have a passion for helping others. Additional skills required for travel physical therapy jobs are generally divided into basic, transferable, and workplace skills.

A few examples of each include:

Reading comprehension
Active listening
Writing
Speaking
Science
Giving clear medical instructions
Operating diagnostic equipment
Planning healthcare treatments
Complex problem solving
Strength and coordination
Giving instructions
Judgment and decision making

For a complete list of skills, check out this Cross Country blog.

Can new grads do travel PT?

To become a physical therapist, you will need a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree and must be licensed in the state(s) you wish to work in. Talking to a recruiter, like those working for Cross Country, is always a smart idea. They will guide you through starting your career as a PT or any allied healthcare position and ensure you have what each job requires. Once you discuss what's important in your search, including location, they can place you in the best position to meet your needs, including great pay and benefits.

Is working as a travel PT worth it?

If you have a passion for helping people who are injured in accidents or recovering from illnesses and need help improving and managing their pain, you should explore physical therapy jobs. If you enjoy meeting new people, checking out new cities, and gaining experience in multiple places, this could be the specialty that makes sense for you.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapists is projected to grow 22% from 2018 to 2028, which is much higher than the average growth rate. With a median annual wage of $89,440, this is an allied healthcare career that is well worth considering.

Do travel PTs make more money?

With a median annual wage of $89,440, this allied healthcare career pays a very nice salary. Check out these travel PT jobs and their pay rates to see if the compensation level appeals to you.

Are travel rad techs a thing?

Healthcare professionals who pursue travel imaging jobs or careers in radiology are referred to as radiologic technologists or rad techs, and they specialize in imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, and C.T. scans. These tests help radiologists and other specialists provide accurate diagnoses for their patients. As a radiologic technician, you will likely specialize in a specific discipline, such as mammography.

To succeed in this profession, some skills you will need to possess include:

Excellent communication skills
Comfort with technology
Attention to detail

For a more specific breakdown of each skill recommended to become a rad tech, check out this Cross Country blog.

What is a travel X-ray tech?

Another option to consider is a travel X-ray tech. In this career, you will perform diagnostic imaging on various body parts.

Is working as a travel X-ray tech worth it?

According to a recent sampling of travel X-ray tech job postings, weekly salaries ranged from $3,340 in San Francisco and $3,310 in Minneapolis to $2,975 in Ft. Worth. These are wonderful salaries with growth potential. If this specialty piques your interest, it's absolutely worth exploring further.

What are the best agencies for travel radiology technologist jobs?

Cross Country is the gold standard for travel allied health assignments, including radiology tech jobs. As a Cross Country travel allied professional, you'll enjoy a high level of freedom and independence. You will never settle for less when it comes to your and your family's physical and financial health and well-being.

Additionally, you'll enjoy comprehensive benefits including the following if you are eligible:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with optional family coverage
401(k) with company match
Professional liability coverage
Travel and temporary housing reimbursement
Assistance with state licensing and certification
Employee discounts

Is it worth being a travel rad tech?

Travel rad techs make a great salary, get to see the country, and have a flexible schedule. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Approximately 16,600 openings for radiologic and MRI technologists are projected each year over the decade.

How much do travel radiology technologist jobs pay?

According to U.S. News & World Report, Radiologic Technologists made a median salary of $61,370 in 2021. The best-paid 25% earned $77,290 that year, while the lowest-paid 25% made $48,900. California leads the way with an average pay of $95,170 followed by Hawaii at $84,100 and Massachusetts at $79,360.

How does travel RT work?

Respiratory therapists (RT) are up next. Some may refer to this especially as RRT, which stands for registered respiratory therapist.They help patients with breathing disorders or diseases, such as asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, and emphysema. The patients can range from newborn babies born with lung abnormalities to elderly patients with lung disease.

Most respiratory therapists work in hospitals, but some also work in physician offices and nursing care facilities. Travel RRT jobs can be demanding since it may involve lifting and turning disabled patients as well as standing on your feet for long periods. So, that is something to consider.

What are the best agencies for travel respiratory therapist jobs?

Cross Country Allied recruiters pride themselves on building solid and long-term relationships with their healthcare professionals. Recruiters are familiar with the various hospitals and healthcare facilities they partner with throughout the country, so they can give you the inside scoop on the ones you might want to consider and the work culture you'll experience there.

They also know specific details about the cities you might want to travel to and can provide insight into what each one offers regarding art, cultural, dining, and entertainment options. Your recruiter is your own personal, career "Siri" and will always have your long-term personal and professional goals in mind.

Cross Country can help you find the right travel respiratory therapist position that checks all your boxes and answer any questions you have.

Are RTs in demand?

Yes, there is a growing demand for respiratory therapists, which creates many opportunities for those willing to travel. According to RT Magazine, more than 92,000 RTs will retire by 2030.

To learn more about becoming a travel RT and the skills necessary to succeed, check out the Cross Country blog.

Is being an RT worth it?

Being employed as a travel respiratory therapist lets you take your skills anywhere, and as mentioned, RTs are in high demand. When you work with Cross Country, the packages are fantastic and may include the following:

Comprehensive health benefits
Free private housing OR subsidy (please contact your recruiter for details)
Referral bonuses
401(k)
Competitive salaries
Licensure reimbursement

What is the highest paying medical imaging job?

Careers that fall under medical imaging specialize in diagnostic imaging. To look inside the body from the outside, jobs may involve ultrasounds, X-rays, MRIs, and others. In regard to which specialty pays the most, different sources share different information. One site states that radiation therapists earn a median salary of $85,560, while another resource shares that radiologic and MRI technologists make a median salary of $61,980 as of 2021. Salaries also depend on location and experience.

What is a speech-language pathologist (SLP)?

Perhaps a career as a speech-language pathologist will suit you. Travel SLP jobs involve working in various settings to help a diverse group of clients build their confidence and self-esteem through improved communication skills.

Speech-language pathologists work with patients who have difficulty speaking or may be unable to speak at all. Thanks to low stress levels, an excellent work-life balance, and plenty of advancement opportunities, speech-language pathologists routinely report high job satisfaction. To learn about the skills necessary to succeed as an SLP, visit the Cross Country blog.

How much can you make as a traveling SLP?

As you can see, like with any specialty or industry, salaries will vary based on location, experience, and the type of job. SLPs working at residential and nursing facilities will earn more than at a school, which is not surprising, especially if the school is public.

According to U.S. News & World Report, in 2021, speech-language pathologists made a median salary of $79,060, while the best-paid 25% earned $100,200 that year and the lowest-paid 25% made $61,970.

What is the highest paying SLP job?

According to one source, the highest-paying SLP jobs are in California ($102,650), followed by Hawaii ($100,120), New York ($98,850), New Jersey ($98,270), and D.C. ($98,240). U.S. News & World Report shared these numbers from 2021, so they may be even higher at the present time.

Can SLPs make 100K?

Six figures and over is on the higher end of an SLP salary based on location, type of facility, and experience, but very much attainable.

How much do travel SLP jobs pay?

Travel SLP opportunities currently listed at Cross Country feature a wide range of excellent salaries.

What cities are hiring for speech language pathologist travel jobs?

For an up-to-date list of cities hiring Cross Country travel SLPs, click here.

What are the best agencies for travel SLP jobs?

Cross Country can help you decide if a travel SLP position is right for you and answer any questions you may have.

What do travel endo techs do?

Those who choose a travel endo tech career path will aid doctors and nurses while performing endoscopy procedures. From ensuring a sterile environment, and equipment preparation, to cleaning up, endo techs play an essential role as patients' digestive tracts are being explored.

How long does it take to be a travel endoscopy tech?

The answer depends on where you are in your education and career. One option is to complete a certificate program or associate degree, which typically takes a year. Clinical experience is also required to become a travel endo tech.

What does a cath lab tech do?

Cath lab technicians focus on running tests on the heart and assisting with inserting catheters in the heart. Cath lab nurses go a step further as they can administer medications.

Is a career as a travel cath lab tech right for me?

When deciding on a specialty in the travel cath lab tech realm, many elements come into play. First, the idea of travel should be a consideration. Do you like being in a new city, meeting new people, and experiencing working with various people and places? Do you have an interest in cardiac and vascular medicine? Do you like interpreting data, learning about cardiac disease, performing catheterization procedures, and working as a team? If you answered yes to all, then a travel cath lab tech job may be the right career choice for you.

How do I become a travel cath lab tech?

To become a travel cath lab tech, you must obtain an associate degree in cardiovascular technology. The travel aspect is a personal choice.

How much do travel cardiac cath lab techs make?

Travel cardiac cath lab jobs have salaries that vary by location. Cross Country can help you choose your location and share varying salaries in a travel cath lab tech career.

Do sterile processing techs travel?

Yes, this can be a traveling position and a critical piece of the patient puzzle to protect them from infections. As a sterile processing tech, you will sterilize, clean, store, and inspect medical instruments.

How does a travel med tech work?

A travel med tech performs diagnostic testing of blood and body fluids in clinical laboratories based in their contracted location. Completing a certificate or associate degree program plus training on the job is required.

Can you travel as a med tech?

There are many openings for travel med tech and Cross Country can help you find the best fit.

What is the highest paid medical technologist?

Top earners who have travel medical technologist jobs can bring in over $150,000 annually. As always, salaries are based on experience and location.

What are the perks of being a travel med tech?

As a travel allied healthcare professional, adding travel to your job has many benefits. Travel med techs are in high demand, which might mean higher salaries than those that do not travel. In addition, Cross Country allows you to enjoy a high level of freedom and independence, along with benefits such as:

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with optional family coverage
401(k) with company match
Professional liability coverage
Travel and temporary housing reimbursement
Assistance with state licensing and certification
Employee discounts

What states have the most medical technologist travel jobs?

There is high demand for MLTs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an 11% increase in employment for medical lab technicians is projected through 2028.

What cities are hiring for medical technologist travel jobs?

Cities currently hiring for MLTs include New Orleans, Louisiana, Nashville, Tennessee Portsmouth, New Hampshire Brandon, Florida San Diego, California, and many more. Cross Country can help you find the best job that makes sense for you.

Is a career as a travel surgical tech worth it?

If you enjoy assisting with operations and working alongside a team of doctors, surgeons, and nurses, a job as a surgical tech is definitely worth it. Add in travel, which brings flexibility and thrills, and it can be a fantastic career and life path.

What cities are hiring for surgical tech travel jobs?

Several cities are hiring for a travel surgical tech, including Minneapolis, Minnesota, Richmond, Virginia, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Palo Alto, California, and more. For a current list of all cities where surgical tech jobs are available, Cross Country can help you discover what's right for you.

What states have the most surgical tech travel jobs?

Surgical tech jobs are available all over the United States. For a complete list, head to Cross Country, who can help you navigate the surgical tech waters.

What states have the most surgical tech travel jobs?

Surgical tech jobs are available all over the United States. For a complete list, head to Cross Country, who can help you navigate the surgical tech waters.

How do I become a travel ultrasound tech?

If you're interested in exploring travel ultrasound jobs, first, you must decide which specialty interests you the most. Is it vascular sonography? Breast sonography? Pediatric sonography? Neuro sonography? Next, you need to have the proper education and requirements for each specialty. The element of travel adds a unique experience. A Cross Country representative can talk with you to understand your interests, where you want to travel, and the level of education required.

What is the highest paid travel sonographer?

The best-paid 25% of travel sonographers earn $97,716 as of March 2023. As always, it's important to note that annual pay is based on experience, location, certifications, and demand.

How often do travel sonographers travel?

Travel allied health professionals work one short-term contract at a time, usually about 12-14 weeks each, at different facilities. Sometimes these contracts get extended, and an allied health professional will stay at one hospital for an extended time. Other travelers prefer to always be on the go.

What field of ultrasound pays the most?

Neuro ultrasound techs tend to make a high salary of over six figures, and the work is very safe and low-risk compared to other healthcare careers.

What are the best agencies for travel ultrasound tech jobs?

Cross Country can help guide you through finding a travel ultrasound tech job. They have exclusive relationships with medical facilities looking to hire at competitive rates with incredible benefits packages.

Is being a travel ultrasound tech worth it?

If you love what the job and specialty entail, enjoy the perks of travel, and the flexibility being a travel ultrasound tech provides, Cross Country can help place you.

How much does a travel ultrasound tech earn in California?

The salary for a travel ultrasound tech can vary. The annual mean wage as a state has been reported at $109,350 as of 2021.

Travel allied careers offer a tremendous amount of options for those looking to take their career on the road. Each new travel assignment is an opportunity to learn about a new city or state and different clinical settings.

When you work with Cross Country for placement, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes extras for select assignments, like pay shift differentials, sign-on and completion bonuses, referral bonuses, and more.

Reach out to a Cross Country recruiter to learn more about allied travel careers and uncover what awaits you in your new work and life exploration.

The FAQs of the Travel Allied Profession