Travel LPC Jobs 2026
0 open Licensed Professional Counselor assignments averaging $None open. 48 states are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas — demand is nationwide.
Open LPC contracts
Nothing open in this segment at the moment.
The 48-State Mental Health Shortage: Why Travel LPCs Are in Demand
HRSA (Health Resources & Services Administration) designates 48 states as having Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (MHPSAs). The shortage is most severe in rural communities, correctional facilities, and underserved urban centers — the exact settings where travel LPCs can deploy fastest and earn the most. More than 170 million Americans live in shortage-designated areas.
Travel LPC Pay by Practice Setting
| Setting | Weekly Pay | Populations Served | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correctional Facility LPC | Incarcerated individuals | Highest-paying setting; psychiatric triage, crisis counseling | |
| VA Hospital / Vet Center | Veterans — PTSD, MST, TBI, SUD | Federal pay scale; PTSD specialization preferred | |
| Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital | Acute SMI, crisis stabilization | Group therapy, treatment planning, discharge planning | |
| Residential Treatment Center | Adolescents, SUD, dual diagnosis | Often requires CADC/LADC for SUD-focused positions | |
| Community Mental Health (CMHC) | Adults with SMI, underserved communities | Highest volume; MHPSA shortage areas nationwide | |
| Outpatient BH Clinic | General outpatient — anxiety, depression, trauma | Rural health clinics and FQHCs have highest shortage | |
| School-Based Counseling | K–12 students | Academic year contracts; growing shortage post-pandemic |
LPC vs LCSW vs LMFT: Which Travel BH Credential Earns More?
| Factor | LPC / LMHC | LCSW | LMFT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg weekly (measured, open contracts) | $2,379 (LPCC) | $2,456 | $2,701 |
| Top Travel Weekly Pay | $2,200/wk (corrections) | $2,400/wk (corrections) | $2,200/wk (corrections) |
| Primary Settings | CMHC, inpatient psych, VA, corrections | Hospital, CMHC, VA, corrections | Outpatient, CMHC, residential |
| Supervision Hours | 2,000–4,000 hrs (varies by state) | 2 years post-MSW supervised | 3,000+ client contact hours |
| Job Volume | ★★★★ (High — MHPSA shortage) | ★★★★★ (Highest) | ★★★ (Moderate) |
| Compact License | Counseling Compact (expanding) | No compact as of 2026 | No compact as of 2026 |
| VA Hospital Access | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (limited) |
| Corrections Access | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do travel LPCs make per week?
We have no open Licensed Professional Counselor contracts right now, so we do not publish an LPC rate — that figure would be an estimate rather than a measurement. For reference, our open behavioral health contracts nationwide average $2,058 per week and range up to $3,453, and the closest live comparison is LPCC at $2,379. All packages include tax-free housing and meal stipends.
What is the difference between LPC, LMHC, LCPC, and LCMHC?
All four are the same licensed counselor credential — the name varies by state. LPC is most common. LMHC is used in New York and Florida. LCPC in Montana, Idaho, Maryland. LCMHC in Vermont and North Carolina. Same master's degree, same supervised hours, same clinical function — fully interchangeable on travel applications.
Is there a compact license for LPCs?
The Counseling Compact is active and expanding as of 2026 — check the current member state list at counselingcompact.org. Non-Compact states require individual license applications (4–12 weeks, $100–$300). Telehealth LPC positions may allow cross-state practice under specific exemptions.
Where do travel LPCs work?
Primary settings: CMHCs (highest volume, shortage-designated), inpatient psychiatric hospitals (higher acuity, higher pay), VA hospitals (federal pay, PTSD specialization), correctional facilities (highest-paying LPC assignments), outpatient BH clinics, and school-based positions.
What populations do travel LPCs serve?
Adults with serious mental illness (SMI) at CMHCs, veterans with PTSD/combat disorders at VAs, adolescents at residential treatment facilities, incarcerated individuals at correctional facilities, patients with co-occurring disorders at dual-diagnosis programs, and K–12 students at school-based programs.
Apply for Travel LPC Positions
0 open positions. CMHCs, VA hospitals, corrections, and inpatient psych nationwide.
Apply for Travel LPC Jobs