Travel Behavioral Health Jobs in Pennsylvania
Earn $1,900–$2,600/week as a travel Psych RN — or $55–$95/hr as a contract LCSW or LPC — across Pennsylvania's world-class behavioral health system. Philadelphia's Penn Medicine psych network, UPMC Western Psychiatric in Pittsburgh, five state psychiatric hospitals, and a fentanyl crisis generating urgent SUD demand statewide.
Pennsylvania IS in the NLC Nursing Compact — Psych RNs Can Start Immediately
Psych RNs holding an active NLC multistate compact license from any other NLC state can practice in Pennsylvania without a separate PA license application. Non-NLC RNs must apply to the PA State Board of Nursing (allow 4–6 weeks). LPCs and LCSWs: Pennsylvania is not in the Counseling Compact or LCSW Compact — verify reciprocity with the PA State Board before accepting a contract.
Philadelphia Academic Network
Penn Medicine's psychiatric network, Jefferson Health Psychiatry, Temple University Hospital, and Drexel Medicine form one of the most concentrated academic BH markets in the US. High-acuity inpatient psych, crisis stabilization, and dual-diagnosis programs maintain persistent travel demand year-round.
UPMC Western Psychiatric
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital in Pittsburgh is consistently ranked among the top psychiatric hospitals in the nation. The broader UPMC BH network spans western PA with inpatient, partial hospitalization, and community mental health programs — a major employer of travel psych RNs and clinicians.
Fentanyl Crisis + SUD Demand
Philadelphia is ranked among the highest overdose-rate cities in the US. The Kensington neighborhood has become a national focal point for the fentanyl/xylazine crisis. This drives urgent demand for addiction counselors (CADC/CAADC), MAT clinic staff, crisis nurses, and co-occurring disorder specialists statewide.
Live Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Travel Jobs
Updated every 4 hours. All packages include tax-free housing stipend + per diem.
Pennsylvania BH openings rotate frequently — none matched your filters right now.
Submit your profile and we'll match you to the next Pennsylvania psych or counseling opening as soon as it posts.
Get Matched to PA BH JobsPennsylvania Travel BH Pay by Credential (2025)
All-in weekly packages including tax-free housing stipend + per diem. Philadelphia GSA housing: $2,200–$2,800/mo tax-free. Pittsburgh GSA: $1,800–$2,200/mo. PA state income tax: 3.07% flat (one of the lowest in the northeast).
| Credential / Role | Weekly Package | Hourly (Contract) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) | $2,300–$2,800/wk | $80–$120/hr | PA CRNP license + DEA; prescriptive authority; highest BH rate in state |
| Psych RN (Inpatient Psychiatric) | $1,900–$2,600/wk | $45–$65/hr | NLC Compact — start immediately; BLS required; UPMC + Penn Medicine + state hospitals |
| LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) | $1,500–$2,000/wk | $55–$85/hr | PA LCSW license; CMHC, hospital outpatient, IOP, VA Coatesville/Butler/Lebanon |
| LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) | $1,400–$1,900/wk | $50–$80/hr | PA LPC license; NOT in Counseling Compact; verify reciprocity from other states |
| LMFT (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist) | $1,400–$1,800/wk | $50–$75/hr | PA MFT license; outpatient CMHC and integrated primary care BH settings |
| BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) | $1,500–$2,100/wk | $55–$90/hr | BCBA national certification; high demand in autism/IDD programs statewide |
| CADC / CAADC (Addiction Counselor) | $1,200–$1,600/wk | $40–$65/hr | PA Act 149 certification; urgent fentanyl crisis demand — Philly SUD + MAT clinics |
| Psychologist (Licensed) | $2,100–$2,700/wk | $75–$115/hr | PA State Board licensure; neuropsychology + forensic demand at UPMC and state hospitals |
6 Pennsylvania BH Sectors — Where Travel Clinicians Work
Pennsylvania's BH ecosystem spans six distinct sectors with different credential needs, acuity levels, and compensation profiles.
1. Philadelphia Academic Medical Centers
Penn Medicine's psychiatric network, Jefferson Health Psychiatry (Thomas Jefferson University Hospital), Temple University Hospital Psychiatry, and Drexel Medicine Behavioral Health together form one of the densest academic BH markets in the country. These systems offer high-acuity inpatient psych, crisis stabilization, and co-occurring disorder programs. Psych RN packages: $2,000–$2,600/wk.
2. UPMC Western Psychiatric (Pittsburgh)
UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is one of the top-ranked psychiatric hospitals in the US. The broader UPMC BH network spans western PA with inpatient units, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and community mental health services. Travel psych RNs and LCSWs are routinely needed to cover census surges across this network.
3. Community Mental Health Centers — Rural PA
Pennsylvania has 6+ Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (MHPSAs), primarily in rural central and northern PA counties. CMHCs in regions like Potter, Sullivan, Cameron, and Tioga counties maintain persistent openings for LPCs, LCSWs, and crisis counselors. These rural positions often include enhanced tax-free stipends due to remote GSA designations.
4. SUD / MAT Clinics — Fentanyl Crisis Response
Philadelphia ranks among the highest overdose-rate cities in the US, driven by the fentanyl/xylazine ("tranq") crisis in neighborhoods like Kensington. This generates urgent demand for CADC/CAADC addiction counselors, MAT clinic nurses, peer support specialists, and crisis stabilization RNs across Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, and Allegheny counties.
5. VA Medical Centers — Butler, Coatesville, Lebanon
Pennsylvania hosts multiple VA medical centers with active BH programs: VA Butler Healthcare (northwest PA), Coatesville VA Medical Center (Chester County — large inpatient psych unit), Lebanon VA Medical Center (south-central PA), and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. VA BH contracts offer structured schedules and consistent demand for LCSWs, psych RNs, and PMHNPs.
6. State Psychiatric Hospital System
Pennsylvania operates five state psychiatric hospitals under the Department of Human Services: Norristown State Hospital (Montgomery County), Clarks Summit State Hospital (Lackawanna County), Torrance State Hospital (Westmoreland County), Warren State Hospital (Warren County), and Danville State Hospital (Montour County). These facilities are chronically short-staffed and actively recruit travel psych RNs and BH clinicians at competitive rates.
Pennsylvania BH Licensing — What Travel Clinicians Must Know
Pennsylvania's licensing boards are separate by discipline. Plan ahead — lead times vary significantly by credential type.
NLC Compact — Psych RNs (Fast Start)
- Pennsylvania joined the NLC — multistate license holders work immediately
- Primary state of residence must be an NLC member state for compact license
- Non-compact RNs: apply to PA State Board of Nursing — allow 4–6 weeks
- PA RN license by endorsement requires primary source verification via Nursys
- Criminal background check required (PA Act 73) for state hospital placements
LPC / LCSW — Compact NOT Active
- Pennsylvania is NOT in the Counseling Compact or LCSW Compact as of 2025
- PA has reciprocity with select states — verify with PA State Board before accepting
- LPC reciprocity: typically requires 2+ years post-licensure experience
- LCSW endorsement: PA State Board of Social Workers — 6–10 weeks typical
- Start your PA license application as soon as you book a contract
PA Tax Advantages for Travelers
- Pennsylvania flat income tax: 3.07% — among the lowest in the northeast US
- Compare: New York 6.85–10.9%, New Jersey 1.4–10.75% (graduated), MD 2–5.75%
- Philadelphia local wage tax: 3.44% for non-residents working in the city
- Pittsburgh has no local income tax for non-residents
- Tax-free stipends (housing + per diem) are not subject to PA income tax if qualifying travel criteria are met — maximize your net package
PA Act 73 Background Clearances
- Pennsylvania requires FBI, PA State Police, and Child Abuse History clearances for most BH facility placements (PA Act 73 + Act 33/34)
- Out-of-state workers must complete FBI fingerprinting — allow 2–3 weeks
- State hospital placements: additional DHS clearance may be required
- CatSol coordinates all PA clearance requirements before your start date
Pennsylvania vs New Jersey vs New York — Travel BH Comparison
Comparing the three major Mid-Atlantic BH travel markets to help you choose the right contract.
| Factor | Pennsylvania | New Jersey | New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | 3.07% flat | 1.4–10.75% graduated | 6.85–10.9% + NYC local |
| NLC Compact (Psych RN) | Yes ✅ | Yes ✅ | No ❌ |
| Counseling Compact | No — verify reciprocity | No — verify reciprocity | No — verify reciprocity |
| Avg Psych RN Package | $1,900–$2,600/wk | $1,900–$2,500/wk | $2,100–$2,800/wk |
| Avg LCSW Contract Rate | $55–$85/hr | $55–$80/hr | $65–$95/hr |
| Avg PMHNP Package | $2,300–$2,800/wk | $2,400–$2,900/wk | $2,500–$3,000/wk |
| State Psych Hospitals | 5 (Norristown, Warren, Torrance, Clarks Summit, Danville) | 3 (Greystone, Ancora, Trenton) | 4 (Kingsboro, Pilgrim, Creedmoor, Rockland) |
| SUD Crisis Driver | Fentanyl/xylazine — Philly ranked highest US overdose rate | Fentanyl — NJ-PA corridor | Fentanyl — NYC + upstate |
| VA BH Centers | 4 (Butler, Coatesville, Lebanon, Philadelphia) | 1 (Lyons VA) | 3 (Manhattan, Northport, Albany) |
| Background Clearance | PA Act 73 (FBI + state + child abuse) — 2–3 wks | NJ state BCI + federal | NY CBC + fingerprinting |
Pennsylvania Travel BH Jobs — Frequently Asked Questions
What travel behavioral health jobs are most in demand in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's most in-demand travel BH roles in 2025 are: Psych RNs for inpatient units at UPMC, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Temple, and state psychiatric hospitals; LCSWs and LPCs for CMHC outpatient and IOP programs statewide; Psychiatric NPs (PMHNPs) for prescribing coverage at VA facilities and rural CMHCs; Addiction Counselors (CADC/CAADC) for Philadelphia-area fentanyl crisis response; and BCBAs for autism/IDD programs across the state.
Is Pennsylvania in the NLC Nursing Compact?
Yes. Pennsylvania is a full member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Psych RNs who hold an active multistate NLC compact license can practice in Pennsylvania without a separate PA license. If your primary state of residence is an NLC state and you hold a compact license, you can start a PA contract immediately. Non-compact RNs must apply through the PA State Board of Nursing and should allow 4–6 weeks for the endorsement process.
Do LPCs and LCSWs need a Pennsylvania license to work there as travelers?
Yes. Pennsylvania is not part of the Counseling Compact or the LCSW Compact as of 2025. LPCs and LCSWs must hold a valid Pennsylvania license to practice in the state. PA does have reciprocity agreements with several neighboring states, but the process still requires an application to the respective PA State Board. Allow 6–10 weeks for LCSW endorsement and 4–8 weeks for LPC. CatSol can help coordinate your application timeline with your contract start date.
What is the Philadelphia housing stipend for travel BH clinicians?
Philadelphia's GSA per diem housing rate for 2025 is approximately $163/night, translating to a tax-free housing stipend of roughly $2,200–$2,800/month for qualifying travelers. Pittsburgh's GSA housing rate is lower ($1,800–$2,200/month). Rural PA counties outside major metros may carry lower stipends but also significantly lower cost of living, making total take-home pay competitive.
What is Pennsylvania Act 73 and how does it affect travel clinicians?
Pennsylvania Act 73, along with Act 33 and Act 34, requires background clearances for healthcare workers in certain settings. Travel BH clinicians typically need three clearances: an FBI criminal history check (fingerprint-based), a Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check, and a Child Abuse History Clearance. Out-of-state workers must complete FBI fingerprinting and should allow 2–3 weeks for results. State psychiatric hospital placements may require an additional DHS clearance. CatSol coordinates all clearance requirements as part of your onboarding before your contract start date.
Start Your Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Travel Contract
CatSol places travel BH clinicians at UPMC Western Psychiatric, Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, VA facilities, state psychiatric hospitals, and CMHCs across Pennsylvania. We handle NLC Compact verification, PA Act 73 clearances, licensure coordination, and housing — so you can focus on clinical work.