What does a travel therapy recruiter actually do?
A travel therapy recruiter is your primary point of contact at a staffing agency. They find assignments that match your preferences, negotiate pay packages, coordinate compliance and onboarding paperwork, assist with housing, and provide support throughout your contract. Think of them as your advocate within the agency — the better your recruiter, the better your travel experience.
Can I work with multiple recruiters at different agencies?
Yes, and many experienced travelers recommend it. Working with recruiters at two or three agencies simultaneously lets you compare pay packages, job options, and service quality. This is completely normal in the industry — ethical recruiters won't have a problem with it. Just be upfront about the fact that you're exploring options.
How do I switch recruiters or agencies?
If you want to switch recruiters within the same agency, contact HR or your recruiter's manager and request reassignment — this is more common than you might think. If you want to switch agencies entirely, you can do so between contracts. Just make sure your current contract obligations are fulfilled first. There's no penalty for changing agencies, and a better fit can make a huge difference in your career satisfaction.
Should my recruiter show me the full pay breakdown?
Absolutely — this is non-negotiable. A good recruiter should provide every line item in writing before you sign anything: hourly taxable rate, housing stipend, meals and incidentals, travel reimbursement, and any other pay components. If a recruiter gives you a blended rate or won't break down the numbers, that's one of the biggest red flags in the industry. Transparent agencies are proud of their numbers.
Do travel therapy recruiters get paid commission?
Most travel therapy recruiters earn some form of commission or bonus based on placements. This isn't inherently bad — it gives them incentive to find you work. The potential issue is when commission structures encourage placing travelers quickly rather than finding the right fit. Ask any agency how your recruiter is paid, and whether bonuses reward placements alone or also how long travelers stay with the agency.
What's the difference between a recruiter and an agency?
The agency is the company — they hold facility contracts, manage payroll, provide benefits, and set policies. Your recruiter is an individual person at that agency who serves as your day-to-day contact. Both matter: a great recruiter at an agency with bad policies still has limitations, and a mediocre recruiter at a great agency will make your experience frustrating. The best combination is a great recruiter at an agency whose values match your priorities. Read our full breakdown →
How many travelers does a typical recruiter manage?
It varies a lot from agency to agency and from recruiter to recruiter, whatever the agency's size. The difference in attention is significant — fewer travelers means faster responses, more personalized job matching, and better advocacy when issues arise. It's a fair question to ask your recruiter directly.
Is it better to work with a large agency or a small one?
It depends on the agency more than its size. A large agency may hold more job postings in more states and a small one fewer, so ask each how many open jobs it has where you want to work. Then ask who owns it, who you would escalate to if your recruiter can't fix a problem, how many travelers your recruiter supports, and for the full pay breakdown in writing. That includes ProTherapy Staffing, which publishes this site.
What should I do if my recruiter isn't responding?
Give them a day or two, then follow up. If slow communication is a pattern rather than a one-off, address it directly — let your recruiter know that responsiveness is important to you. If nothing changes, request a different recruiter within the agency or start exploring other agencies. You shouldn't have to chase your recruiter regularly — that's a sign the relationship isn't working.
Can a recruiter negotiate a higher pay package for me?
Yes. Recruiters often have flexibility within the agency's margins, and a good one will advocate for the best package they can get you. It always helps to ask — whether that's a higher hourly rate, better stipend, or additional travel reimbursement. Come prepared with comparable offers from other agencies if you have them; concrete data gives your recruiter leverage internally.