Since I started working in this industry, I have seen traveling physical therapy jobs in HI on occasion. These positions are typically travel therapy jobs that are essentially working vacations. Here are some things to consider when looking at that Hawaiian position for your next travel assignment.

Getting to HI is expensive: Most companies offer some sort of travel reimbursement for your assignments, these reimbursements are typically factored into the budget for the position itself, so a physical therapist driving 2 hrs for a position could make more per hour with a smaller travel reimbursement than a physical therapist driving across the country. What typically happens with a position in HI is the cost of airfare has a huge impact on the amount agencies are able to pay you. Keep this airfare in mind when speaking with your recruiter, a round trip ticket to HI could cost over $1000 dollars depending on your situation.

Housing is also very expensive: The housing market in HI is a vacation home market, and land is not cheap. Land costs of over $80,000 an acre are not unheard of in the state. With that in mind, a small one bedroom apartment that would typically be 700-1000 dollars in the mainland could be two to three thousand dollars per month in HI. As with your travel reimbursement, this housing cost will have an impact on your wages.

The cost of living in HI is going up: I was watching a report on CNN today regarding the current energy crisis. Hawaiians import all of their food from the mainland United States, and with the soaring fuel prices, the cost of everyday items are increasing. Expect to see prices in excess of $5 for a loaf of bread, $4 for a half a gallon of milk, and $5 dollars a pound for tomatoes.

When you see a posting for travel assignments in HI, be sure to speak with your recruiter about the realities of the financial situation you will be in. Keep in mind that with the high costs of logistics for your assignment, it will be very hard to offer you a competitive rate. I've seen therapists take large pay cuts in their hourly rate just to have the chance.So be sure to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this travel assignment in paradise before you sign on the dotted line.