Therapy Staffing Company Insights: Is It Worth It, What It Pays, and How Much It Costs?

Therapy Staffing Service Insights: Is It Worth It, What It Pays, and How Much It Costs?

Explore the real numbers behind therapy staffing how much therapists make, what facilities pay, and whether it's worth it. A must-read for rehab professionals and healthcare leaders.

When my colleague Jenna, a licensed PT, felt trapped in a rigid 9–5 role, she took a leap and tried travel therapy. Within weeks, she was working in Colorado, making more money, and finally able to take control of her schedule.

She's one of many therapists exploring flexible alternatives and therapy staffing services are at the center of that shift.

From hospitals to home health, the demand for qualified therapists is rising fast. But is working with a therapy staffing company really worth it—for the therapist or the facility? How much do these companies charge, and what kind of money can clinicians or recruiters expect to make?

Let’s break it all down.

What Is a Therapy Staffing Service?

A therapy staffing service connects licensed rehab professionals physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with facilities in need of short-term, long-term, or travel staffing.

These companies streamline the hiring process by:

• Pre-screening candidates
• Verifying credentials
• Managing contracts, payroll, and sometimes benefits
• Matching therapists to settings like SNFs, schools, home health, or outpatient clinics

Unlike general recruiters, these services specialize in rehabilitation, making them true niche experts.

Is Going Through a Therapy Staffing Company Worth It?

For Therapists:

Pros:

• Access to jobs across the country and in varied settings
• Travel therapy perks housing stipends, bonuses, tax-free reimbursements
• Flexible schedules (great for PRN or part-time seekers)
• Less paperwork staffing firms handle the contracts and logistics

Cons:

• Some contracts may offer slightly lower hourly rates due to staffing company fees
• Lack of long-term security in some placements

Bottom Line: If you want flexibility, travel opportunities, and professional growth, therapy staffing is absolutely worth considering.

For Facilities:

Pros:

• Fast access to licensed therapists during staff shortages or patient surges
• Reduced HR burden no need to manage hiring or payroll
• Better coverage for vacation, FMLA, or specialty cases

• Cons:
• Agencies charge a markup (typically 25–100% over therapist pay)
• Long-term reliance on staffing services can be costly

Bottom Line: For short-term needs or hard-to-fill roles, staffing firms can be a game-changer.

How Much Do You Pay a Therapy Staffing Company?

Facilities typically pay a “bill rate,” which includes:

• Therapist’s wage
• Payroll taxes, malpractice insurance, and workers’ comp
• Staffing company’s admin fees and profit margin

For example, if a therapist earns $45/hour, the facility may pay between $70 and $90/hour. The staffing firm retains the difference to cover overhead and profit.

Factors affecting the rate include:

• Urban vs. rural location
• Specialty or certification
• Therapist experience
• Contract length

Some agencies also offer flat monthly or weekly rates, temp-to-perm contracts, or direct hire options.

What Is the Highest Paying Therapy Job?

Salaries depend on setting, location, and experience. Here’s an overview of what therapists can typically expect:

Physical Therapists (PTs):

On average, physical therapists earn between $88,000 and $105,000 annually. Travel therapy roles or positions in home health often provide the highest-paying opportunities for PTs.

Occupational Therapists (OTs):

Occupational therapists generally earn between $84,000 and $100,000. Specialties like pediatrics, schools, and home health are some of the highest-paying settings for OTs.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs):

SLPs usually make between $80,000 and $110,000. Medical SLPs and travel SLPs often have higher earning potential.

Rehab Director/Coordinator:

A rehab director or coordinator can expect to earn between $90,000 and $125,000 annually, or even more, depending on the facility. The highest-paying settings for rehab directors are skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and inpatient rehab centers.

How Much Do Therapy Recruiters Make?

Therapy recruiters working at staffing firms typically earn:

Base salary: $40K–$60K

Commissions: $500–$2,000+ per therapist placed

Top recruiters: $80K–$100K+ annually

Their earnings depend on:

• Volume of placements
• Contract types
• Company profit margins

Many successful recruiters are former therapists themselves helping them match candidates with insight and empathy.

Types of Therapy Staffing Solutions

To meet different needs, firms offer various staffing models:

Travel Therapy Staffing: Short-term (8–26 week) contracts with relocation support—ideal for adventurous therapists.

PRN / Per Diem Staffing: Therapists work flexible shifts, ideal for facilities with unpredictable volumes.

Temp-to-Perm Placement: A try-before-you-hire model. Therapists can transition to permanent staff after initial contracts.

Direct Hire Recruiting: Therapists are placed permanently, but payroll and benefits are handled by the facility.

Why Is Therapy Staffing in High Demand?

• Several trends are driving the boom:
• Aging population = more rehab needs
• Therapist burnout and post-COVID exits
• Rural/underserved areas lack in-house hiring
• Licensing delays are common
• Fluctuating patient volumes require staffing agility

Healthcare is evolving, and allied staffing solutions are helping bridge the hiring gaps.

Final Thoughts

Therapy staffing is more than just a workaround for hiring delays it’s a vital part of modern healthcare.

Whether you’re a therapist looking for freedom and variety, or a facility trying to fill roles fast, understanding the costs, pay structures, and benefits of therapy staffing services is crucial.

In a system where quality care can’t wait, therapy staffing companies don’t just fill gaps they keep rehab moving forward.