Salary for Traveling Medical Technologist

I am new to traveling and have a few questions, so hopefully I can get some answers from the more experienced traveling MLT/MTs. I am constantly wondering how much a beginning traveler should make and if I’m being underpaid. I have been a tech for about 11 years now and I left my job making $26hr, to become a traveler. Of course I didn't start out making that much, my first job as an MLT only paid about $15hr.
1) Is a traveler's pay based on location?
2) Should base pay (without per diem) be what you would normally make as a regular employee in that specific location?
3) Is it a good or bad thing to be registered with more than one travel company?
4) Does it help or hurt you if more that one company submits you for an assignment?
Of course, if any of you have any advice for me, I’ll be glad to take it. Thanks for your time

I started out as an MLT but in some states I was working as an MT. I got my ASCP for my MT degree a few years after traveling. I double my pay than from my perm job when I started traveling. The pay is really the same for an MLT and MT, I’ve seen that I only get a dollar more for being a MT but have more options for assignments than a MLT. I would say 26/hr in GA is out of the norm, as a traveler you make less for working in GA than other states. I’ll try to answer your questions:
1.When I started traveling I was in Alaska, so I didn’t get a car allowance or per diem so the pay was less than the lower 48’s. I still made in one week what I made in 2 weeks at a perm job.
2.I will tell you that you won’t be getting 26/hr base pay as a traveler unless you’re in CA and then you need to have a BS degree. You have to figure in your car allowance, per diem, and housing you if find your own housing. Finding your own housing will boost your pay 1-2K/mo. I wouldn’t take an assignment for less than 22/hr base pay. The avg base rate is 22-23/hr.
3.Location can vary depending on the hospital, if it’s Indian Health it will be less than a major city. Some assignments are in the middle of nowhere, but it’s the adventure that makes it interesting.
4.I make more an hour on my base pay than a perm job but I was in a state was the on the lowest end of the pay scale for techs. So it was better for me but you may think its lower.
5.I’m signed up with multiple companies but have only worked with 3. I tried to go with one company and couldn’t get any assignments for 2 months. So I was in a rush to sign up and try to find an assignment. Some have sole contracts to hospitals that you might want to work at. Most the time they all have the same job and it comes down to who’s been traveling longer, experience, and/or recommendations.

Any place that would let an MLT act in place of an MT must have very lax standards.....if a customer requests an MT a MLT will not be sent to that assignment..In California we do not allow MLT's to work independently so do not try to come here for a higher paying job unless you are a ASCP MT or CLS...

You can not work as a MT in CA if you are a MLT....if would never happen here.

Does anyone know of an agency that provides housing for you if you travel with a dog?

I work with two travelers who have a small dog and Aureus provided their housing. Are you a new traveler? MLT?

MB in Columbia, Missouri said: Does anyone know of an agency that provides housing for you if you travel with a dog?

I work with two travelers who have small ogs and Aureus provided their housing. Are you an new traveler? MLT?

Most agencies will provide housing for you if you tell them you have a dog up front and what breed. A lot of apartments have breed restrictions so if you are travelling with a Pitt type, Doberman, or Akita you will have problems. I traveled for 3 years with 2 cats then a years with 2 cats and a puppy. I finally bought an RV and now just take the housing allowance and take my home with me.

You can travel with the standard small pets....dogs and cats. You are required to inform the agency that you will be traveling with pets and you have to pay a deposit and fee per month per pet. If you have been with the agency for awhile they will deduct the fees from you checks in smaller amounts during the assignment so you do not have to pay the whole fee upfront. If you aquire a pet after the start of a contract or try to sneak a pet into the housing your contract can be terminated immediately and you could find yourself homeless within 24hours...so be smart and divulge this information during contract writeup... I do not think this would stop you from getting a contract with any agency but housing choices could be more limited for you to chose. Always let the agency know what is a deal breaker for you...for example if you require on site laundry state it up front....and always always let them set up the lodging as you will have difficulty finding lodging for a 13 week assignment. The agencies have many clients and larger clout to find proper housing. Aureus has a whole department dedicated to housing. They do a great job and always find what you require. I always had great,safe locations most with pools and other amenities...however I worked mostly in the Bay area in California. I was lucky and traveled for almost 7 years.

a Tech in Palm Desert, California said: You can travel with the standard small pets....dogs and cats. You are required to inform the agency that you will be traveling with pets and you have to pay a deposit and fee per month per pet. If you have been with the agency for awhile they will deduct the fees from you checks in smaller amounts during the assignment so you do not have to pay the whole fee upfront. If you aquire a pet after the start of a contract or try to sneak a pet into the housing your contract can be terminated immediately and you could find yourself homeless within 24hours...so be smart and divulge this information during contract writeup... I do not think this would stop you from getting a contract with any agency but housing choices could be more limited for you to chose. Always let the agency know what is a deal breaker for you...for example if you require on site laundry state it up front....and always always let them set up the lodging as you will have difficulty finding lodging for a 13 week assignment. The agencies have many clients and larger clout to find proper housing. Aureus has a whole department dedicated to housing. They do a great job and always find what you require. I always had great,safe locations most with pools and other amenities...however I worked mostly in the Bay area in California. I was lucky and traveled for almost 7 years.

Thanks for the info.

Georgia MLT in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania said: I work with two travelers who have small ogs and Aureus provided their housing. Are you an new traveler? MLT?

I am new to traveling & am trying to find an agency. I have talked to a recruiter at ROC, but they will not provide housing b/c my dog is a shepherd mix. I have a feeling I will be running into this problem no matter what agency I contact. Thanks for the info. I will give Aureus a call.

cadzim in Ridgefield, Washington said: Most agencies will provide housing for you if you tell them you have a dog up front and what breed. A lot of apartments have breed restrictions so if you are travelling with a Pitt type, Doberman, or Akita you will have problems. I traveled for 3 years with 2 cats then a years with 2 cats and a puppy. I finally bought an RV and now just take the housing allowance and take my home with me.

Have you ever had difficult finding an RV park near the job?

MB in Columbia, Missouri said: Have you ever had difficult finding an RV park near the job?

I personally have never stayed in a RV park but have know other travlers who did so...I think you can park in certain walmart parking lots in some cities...I heard this somewhere. Also if you want to stay in an RV park you might have to arrange that for yourself...The solution is that the agecy will usually give you the location before you decide whether or not you want to take the first phone interview, so if it is in a city ...simple do not try for that assignment. They usually will give you the location but not the name of the facitility until you decide on taking the interview..hope this helps.

With two year of General experience, BS and ASCP, how much can I wait...

With only two years of experience it is very unlikely that you will find an employer willing to pay the large expenses for you as a travler. In the past most agencies would not even take your application unless you had 5+ to 10 years of experience, however times have changes only a little. You could possibly get hired in a very remote hard to fill location on the graveyard shift. You will not get day shift in a primo location. In fact in less you have been a previous successful traveler you will not get the top locations either. The only way it might happen is if you are a microbiologist with a BS or higher degree in Micro...or if you are an SBB for Blood Bank.....then with little experience you might snag an interview. Remember just because you sign up with an agency the employer still does the interviews and has the final decision and if you are not a very very close match to the facitities requirements, you will not even be offered a phone interview. Agencies like to keep lots of applicants on a string just so they can tell the facitilies how many people they have in their corral and how many are currently available for work even though they will never ever be a match....Signing with an agency is no guarantee of employment.

Donna in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania said: Yes I have worked 4 assignments in Pa all in the central or eastern part of the state. But now the recruiters are looking for something for me in Pa and coming up with nothing!!!

I am a traveler. I've been on the road for 7 years and am still working. I have stayed sith Triage staffing for the last year and counting. My recruiter always finds me a contract in the state i want to go to. I have found out that my resume is what has been setting my apary and my recruiter has a great feel for my skills so he is able to easily sell me. I did.finally go thru the hassle of getting my California license and am now working 2 contracts at once with my recruiter arranging it all. I keep getting emails and calls about contracts that need to be filled in other locations. As of today i know there is a 26 weeks micro.position in Ohio. Plus a generalist in WA, NM, and SD.