Updated 21 June 2026
Travel Respiratory Therapist Salary
Travel RTs earn $1,800-$2,800/week including tax-free stipends. That is $93K-$145K annualised, 40-80% more than staff positions.
Weekly Pay Breakdown
| Component | Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable hourly rate | $28-$42/hr | Base hourly rate, taxed normally |
| Housing stipend | $700-$1,400/week | Tax-free if you maintain a tax home |
| Meals & incidentals | $200-$400/week | Tax-free per diem (GSA rates) |
| Travel reimbursement | $500-$800 per assignment | One-time per 13-week contract |
| Overtime | 1.5x base rate | After 40 hours/week in most states |
| Crisis/rapid response bonus | +$10-$25/hr | During shortages or emergencies |
Top Travel RT Agencies
Aya Healthcare
Largest RT travel agency
Most assignments, good benefits
Cross Country Allied
Wide geographic coverage
Strong in rural assignments
Med Travelers
AMN Healthcare subsidiary
Good for first-time travelers
CompHealth
Allied health focus
Higher pay, fewer assignments
Fusion Medical
RT specialist
RT-specific recruiter teams
Requirements
- -RRT credential (Registered Respiratory Therapist)
- -Active state license in each assignment state (most agencies help with multi-state licensing; the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact was activated in 2026 but is not yet issuing privileges)
- -Minimum 1-2 years acute care experience (ICU preferred)
- -BLS and ACLS certifications current
- -Willingness to relocate every 13 weeks
- -Maintain a "tax home" for stipend eligibility
The tax home rule is critical.
To receive tax-free stipends, you must maintain a permanent residence (your "tax home") that you pay for even while on assignment. If the IRS determines you are an "itinerant worker" with no tax home, your stipends become fully taxable, which can cost $15,000-$25,000/year in additional taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel respiratory therapists make?
Travel RTs typically earn $1,800 to $2,800 per week on 13-week contracts, which works out to roughly $93,000 to $145,000 annualised. That total combines a taxable hourly rate of $28 to $42 per hour with tax-free housing ($700 to $1,400 per week) and meals-and-incidentals stipends ($200 to $400 per week). Crisis and rapid-response assignments add $10 to $25 per hour on top.
Do travel RTs need a license in every state?
For now, yes. Respiratory therapy is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which covers nursing only. A dedicated Respiratory Care Interstate Compact reached its seven-state activation threshold in April 2026 and is now standing up its commission, but it is not yet issuing multistate practice privileges; operationalisation typically takes two to three years after activation. Until privileges are issued, travel RTs still need an individual licence in each assignment state, which usually takes two to six weeks. Most agencies help with multi-state licensing.
What is the tax home rule for travel RT stipends?
To receive housing and meal stipends tax-free, you must maintain a permanent residence (your tax home) that you keep paying for while on assignment. If the IRS classifies you as an itinerant worker with no tax home, the stipends become fully taxable, which can cost $15,000 to $25,000 per year in additional taxes.
What credentials and experience do travel RT agencies require?
Agencies typically require the RRT credential, an active state licence, a minimum of one to two years of acute-care experience (ICU preferred), and current BLS and ACLS certifications. You also need to be willing to relocate roughly every 13 weeks and to maintain a tax home for stipend eligibility.
Which agencies hire travel respiratory therapists?
Major travel RT agencies include Aya Healthcare (the largest, $1,900 to $2,600 per week), Cross Country Allied ($1,800 to $2,500, strong in rural assignments), Med Travelers ($1,850 to $2,400, an AMN Healthcare subsidiary), CompHealth ($2,000 to $2,800, higher pay with fewer assignments), and Fusion Medical ($1,900 to $2,700, RT-specific recruiters).