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Summer isn’t just a season—it’s a feeling. The long golden days that tug at your wanderlust, the moments of stillness between adventure and purpose, the joy of discovering new places while doing work that matters. For travel therapists, summer is an open invitation to live fully—to help others while fulfilling your need for adventure. This season, some of the highest-paying and most fulfilling opportunities are in states where summer comes alive in unforgettable ways. Whether you’re dreaming of salt air and historic charm, wildflower hikes and coastal cliffs, or music-filled nights in the heart of the South, there’s a contract waiting that fits your spirit—and your goals.
Here are five incredible states where you can take your skills on the road and your sense of wonder even further.
New York: A State of Endless Contrast and Wild Beauty
New York in the summer is a tapestry of contrasts—quiet mountain lakes, buzzing city blocks, and hidden trails through green, untamed landscapes. While the city comes alive with rooftop concerts, open-air film nights, and strolls through sun-drenched Central Park, upstate New York offers a totally different kind of escape. Weekends can be spent swimming in the Finger Lakes, hiking the high peaks of the Adirondacks, or wandering through charming small towns like Hudson and Ithaca with farmer’s markets, vintage bookstores, and local breweries. Therapists are in high demand across the state in both urban and rural settings, so whether you're craving cultural energy or natural quiet, New York delivers.
Massachusetts: Where Coastal Calm Meets Revolutionary Soul
In Massachusetts, summer smells like salt air, fresh lobster rolls, and sea spray from a ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a place where you can spend your days off biking along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, kayaking through the quiet inlets of Buzzards Bay, or exploring the cobblestone streets and maritime history of Salem and Provincetown. Boston itself becomes a celebration of the season, with outdoor symphonies at the Hatch Shell, Red Sox games at Fenway, and afternoon strolls through the Public Garden. Opportunities are plentiful in both the city and the coast, giving you the chance to make a difference by day—and chase sunsets over the Atlantic by night.
Oregon: A Summer Playground for the Wild at Heart
If you’re the kind of travel therapist who feels most alive with a trail underfoot and mountains on the horizon, Oregon might just be your perfect match. Summer here means warm, dry days and crystal-clear skies—ideal for backpacking through Mount Hood National Forest, waterfall hopping in the Columbia River Gorge, or camping on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. Portland offers a quirky urban anchor with its famous food trucks, Saturday Market, and forested city parks, while destinations like Bend and Ashland offer river rafting, mountain biking, and outdoor theater under the stars. With a high demand for therapists and three month contracts offering housing stipends and flexible terms, Oregon lets you work with purpose and wander with freedom.
Illinois: Where City Buzz Meets Midwestern Magic
Illinois in the summer is more than just Chicago (though the Windy City shines this time of year). Sure, you can catch jazz in Millennium Park, paddleboard along Lake Michigan, or hop between rooftop patios and street festivals—but the rest of the state holds its own kind of magic. Southern Illinois is home to lush forest trails in Shawnee National Forest, serene lakeside retreats, and charming river towns like Galena where history and hospitality go hand in hand. The state’s wide range of rehab settings means you’ll find travel therapy opportunities whether you prefer fast-paced hospitals or more personal outpatient clinics—all while enjoying the warm, friendly energy that makes the Midwest feel like home.
Georgia: Soulful Summers in the Heart of the South
In Georgia, summer feels like music drifting through the trees, sweet tea on the porch, and endless roads leading to somewhere new. Atlanta pulses with creativity—think street art festivals, food truck gatherings, and nights spent dancing at outdoor concerts. But beyond the city, Georgia offers quiet retreats and epic escapes. Take a weekend trip to hike the Appalachian foothills in the north, chase waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge, or float down the Chattahoochee River with friends and sunshine overhead. On the coast, you’ll find driftwood beaches, moss-draped towns like Savannah, and golden-hour walks on Tybee Island. High-paying contracts are open across rehab facilities, clinics, and hospitals, making it easy to balance meaningful work with long, soul-filling summer days.
This Summer, Let the Road Lead You Somewhere Beautiful
You’re not just chasing a contract—you’re chasing a life that matters. A season of growth. A journey that feeds your passion and your adventurous spirit. Travel therapy gives you the chance to live intentionally, to make a difference in communities that need you, and to explore the richness of this country in its brightest season. So—where will this summer take you?