Your Guide to School-Based Travel Jobs: Pay, Perks & How to Start

By Ravi Mehta
December 1, 2025 • 15 min
Aya Education pediatric occupational therapy: therapist and child blowing bubbles with blue therapy ball during sensory play

Highlights

  • Aya Education offers dedicated support to new travelers as they make an impact on students nationwide.
  • Experienced school-based professionals and new graduates who are interested in travel positions must meet certain requirements, such as having the necessary licenses and certifications.
  • Your personal support team will assist you with everything, including recommending jobs, walking you through compliance, securing your housing and ensuring you’re satisfied with your assignment.
  • Travel assignments allow school-based professionals to explore new cities and elevate their career, with flexible post-contract options to meet your professional and personal goals.

As an education recruiter, I’ve seen how school-based travel assignments can unlock opportunities for adventure and professional growth. If you’re thinking about taking the leap, Aya offers SLP, OT, PT, special education teacher and many other school-based opportunities in districts nationwide for you to explore new places while making a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

To help you get started, I’ve broken down everything you need to know to launch your travel career.

Getting started

The first step to securing your dream travel assignment is to register with Aya and upload your current resume. Once reviewed, you’ll be paired with a dedicated recruiter who’ll support you every step of the way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions — that’s what we’re here for! Whether you want general information on traveling or have specific questions about a school, your recruiter is here to help. 

Once you’re registered and ready to go, you’ll have access to Aya’s jobs database. You can search for jobs based on your profession, location and pay, then save your search to be notified when jobs that match open up. Be sure to share your preferences with your recruiter. They’ll recommend jobs that align with your goals.

Travel contracts

Contract length depends on the time of year you apply. If it’s late spring or summer, you can secure a contract for the entire 42-week school year. Mid-year contracts will typically last through the last day of school. Your recruiter will go over all your available options. 

Many of our assignments welcome new graduates and are a great way to gain experience and explore different districts. You can review job descriptions or ask your recruiter to recommend jobs that accept new grads.

Licensing and certification

License and certification requirements differ by profession and state. If you’re applying for jobs in advance, some districts may accept a pending license, as long as you can provide proof that your application was submitted. If you’re applying close to the start of the school year, you’ll likely need to have your license in hand.  

Not licensed in the state you want to travel to? No problem — our credentialing team will guide you through the process.

Travel tip graphic showing that Aya covers licensing costs for eligible candidates: Speech Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists in California and Washington, and Special Education Teachers in California, Illinois, South Carolina, and Colorado, with colorful state silhouettes on a bright teal, orange, yellow, and green background.

Launch Your School-Based Travel Career

Ready to explore new districts with full support for licensing, pay and housing? Create your free Aya Education account to get matched with school-based travel jobs today.

Register & Explore Jobs

Meet your Aya support team

When you work with Aya, you have an entire support team backing you throughout your career. Your expert team members include:

  1. Recruiter – Your recruiter wants to make your dream career a reality. They’ll listen to your goals, help you find the perfect job and answer any questions you have about the travel process.
  2. Credentialing specialist – Your credentialing specialist is a paperwork pro. They’ll walk you through your compliance checklist, book any required labs and let you know when your license or certifications are set to expire.
  3. Payroll representative – They have your back when it comes to accurate and timely pay. They’ll confirm your hours each week and be your go-to for questions about your paycheck, timesheet, overtime and more.
  4. Experience specialist – Whether it’s helping you prep for your assignment, celebrating your wins or troubleshooting any issues that arise, this team ensures your travel experience is exceptional.

Understanding your pay and benefits

Travel pay varies based on factors like location, housing and the benefits you choose. You can log in to your Aya Education account to view pay rates and filter by the highest-paying jobs.

With consistent weekday hours, afternoons off, and weekends and summers free, school-based travel offers great work-life balance. Plus, in between contracts you’ll have the flexibility to take a well-deserved break before heading off on your next adventure. 

To get more information on what benefits are offered, take a look at our Pay and Benefits page, or talk to your recruiter for details on a specific job you’re interested in.

Housing

We want you to make your new city feel like home with housing that works for you. When working an eligible assignment,
Aya offers:

    • Paid company housing – We handle the logistics so you can move right in.
    • Housing stipend – Choose your own accommodations based on your lifestyle and preferences.

Whether you want the convenience of our Aya-offered housing or the flexibility to find a place that ticks all your boxes, we’re here to make sure you feel comfortable in your new home.

Check out our Housing page to learn more about these options and view our list of resources to help you get settled in your new city. Your experience specialist can also provide more information on our paid company housing options.

Options post-contract

One of the biggest perks of travel is the flexibility it offers. After you complete your first contract, you’ll have options for your next move. If you’re eligible and your school has a need, you can choose to:

  • Extend your contract with your current district for the next school year.
  • Stay at your current school permanently with our contract-to-permanent option.
  • Start your next travel adventure in a new district.

These options will allow you the flexibility to make a career move that will satisfy your personal and professional goals.

Start the adventure

Register today to explore opportunities and get unmatched support from a team that’s with you every step of the way. Your travel career starts here!

School-based travel jobs FAQs

How do I get started with a school-based travel assignment?

Getting started is easy:

  1. Register with Aya and upload your resume.
  2. Get matched with a recruiter.
  3. Search for jobs in your Aya account.
  4. Apply and begin the onboarding process.

Do I need a license to apply for a school-based travel position?

Yes, a valid license or certification is typically required for our travel positions. However, some districts may accept pending licenses if you can provide proof of application. Your recruiter will talk you through what’s required for each assignment so you can start on time.

Can new graduates apply for travel positions?

Yes, many of our school-based travel assignments are open to new grads. Your recruiter can help you find jobs that accept candidates without previous experience.

How much will I get paid as a school-based traveler?

Pay varies by location, profession and benefits, but you can view pay ranges in your Aya Education account. You may also be eligible for reimbursements for licensure and relocation. Your recruiter will discuss the details of your specific pay package.

Is housing offered for travel assignments?

Yes! Travelers have the option of choosing Aya-arranged housing or taking a generous housing stipend to secure your own accommodations (when working an eligible assignment).

What happens after my travel contract ends?

After your contract ends, you may be eligible to extend your current assignment, accept a permanent position at your current school or book a new assignment in another location. You can discuss all of your options with your recruiter to make the best decision for your career.

When should I apply for a travel assignment?

If you’re looking for a full-year contract, the best time to apply is in late spring or summer when districts open jobs for the new school year. Aya does offer mid-year contracts that usually run through the remainder of the school year. You can log in to your account at any time to see what positions are available.

Where can I find school-based travel jobs?

Search our open school travel jobs to find an assignment you’re interested in, or register now to save searches and receive alerts when jobs that match your preferences open. If you’re already registered, log in to view job information and start applying.

Ravi Mehta, author of this post

Meet Ravi Mehta, Aya Education

Ravi Mehta is a Senior Recruiter with Aya’s Educational Services Division. For over four years, Ravi has helped connect educators and therapists with their perfect schools — ensuring his candidates are happy in their roles and students receive the services they need to thrive.

Learn more about Ravi Mehta