ProTherapy Staffing leads the pay category by a clear margin. Multiple reviewers explicitly compared the same facility's contract across 3+ agencies and found ProTherapy came out highest every time — often by a significant amount. Their transparency is a big part of the story: full pay breakdowns (taxable rate, housing, meals, liability insurance) provided upfront before any commitment. The owners are practicing DPTs who understand exactly what a competitive travel package looks like, and they negotiate accordingly. The caveat from reviewers: fewer total job listings than the big corporate agencies, and not every facility type or geographic market is covered.
📐 Understanding Your Total Package
| Rank | Agency | Pay Score | Overall Rating | Key Pay Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PT-owned, transparent pay breakdowns, all 50 states |
4.9 | ★★★★★ 4.9 | Full Pay Breakdown Upfront No Surprise Deductions | Reviews |
| 2 | Dallas, TX · Personal relationships, competitive packages |
4.2 | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | Competitive Pay Open to Negotiation | Reviews |
| 3 | Omaha, NE · Good overall package including benefits |
4.2 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | Strong 401k Match Competitive Stipends | Reviews |
| 4 | Orlando, FL · Good stipend structure |
4.0 | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | Good Stipends | Reviews |
| 4 | San Diego, CA · Good all-in package for new travelers |
4.0 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | Day-One Benefits Fair Starting Pay | Reviews |
| 6 | Manchester, NH · Fair pay transparency |
3.9 | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Fair Pay | Reviews |
| 6 | Omaha, NE · Decent packages for experienced travelers |
3.9 | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Competitive for Experienced | Reviews |
| 8 | Salt Lake City, UT · Midrange pay |
3.8 | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | Varies by Assignment Type | Reviews |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA · Schools and outpatient focus |
3.8 | ★★★★☆ 3.9 | Good in Schools Setting | Reviews |
| 10 | Park City, UT |
3.7 | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Mid-Range | Reviews |
| 10 | Scottsdale, AZ |
3.7 | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Therapy-Specific Packages | Reviews |
| 12 | Dallas, TX · AMN subsidiary |
3.5 | ★★★★☆ 3.7 | AMN Overhead Model | Reviews |
| 12 | San Diego, CA |
3.5 | ★★★★☆ 3.7 | Platform Costs Reflected in Pay | Reviews |
| 14 | Boca Raton, FL |
3.4 | ★★★★☆ 3.6 | Inconsistent Offers | Reviews |
| 15 | Dallas, TX · High overhead model |
3.0 | ★★★☆☆ 3.5 | Lowest Pay Rating Most Job Volume | Reviews |
"I submitted the same SNF in rural Tennessee to 3 different agencies. ProTherapy came back with $57 taxable + $1,400 weekly housing. The other two were $50 and $48 with $1,200 housing. That's real money over a 13-week contract. I've been with them since."
"After 3 contracts with AMN I finally ran the numbers. ProTherapy was offering me $8/hr more in taxable pay for an IRF contract — same facility, same hours. The bigger agencies just have more overhead to cover. Switched and didn't look back."
"Fusion was solid on pay and their 401k match is real — that's worth something. I'd put them second for pay if you're counting total compensation including benefits. Not the absolute highest hourly, but the package is competitive when you factor everything in."
Why do bigger agencies pay less?
Large agencies have higher operational overhead — marketing, technology, compliance, HR infrastructure, investor returns. That overhead is funded through a larger spread between what the facility pays (the bill rate) and what you receive. Smaller agencies with leaner structures can pass more of the bill rate on to you. That's the fundamental reason ProTherapy and Anders Group consistently outrank AMN and Cross Country on pay scores.
How do I know if a pay package is actually competitive?
Request a full breakdown: (1) taxable hourly rate, (2) weekly housing stipend, (3) weekly meals stipend. Then benchmark housing against GSA rates for that city and compare the taxable rate to what you'd expect from a W2 position in that market. Agencies that give you a lump-sum weekly figure without breaking it out are usually hiding something. Always ask for the breakdown before accepting any offer.
Is it worth working with multiple agencies to compare pay?
Yes, especially before your first contract and when exploring a new specialty or setting. Submit the same position to 2–3 agencies and compare packages directly. Most experienced travelers maintain relationships with 2 agencies — one smaller/higher-paying and one larger for job volume. Once you have a recruiter who consistently delivers, the comparison shopping becomes less critical.
What's a "gross pay" trick and how do I spot it?
Some agencies quote "gross weekly pay" as a headline number that buries a very low taxable rate inside a very high stipend. If the stipend seems unusually high relative to GSA rates, that's a red flag — it may not be compliant and could create tax issues. Always separate taxable from non-taxable and benchmark each component independently. Agencies like ProTherapy that provide full breakdowns upfront tend to be structuring packages compliantly.
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