Hello Histonetters, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with histotechs lately, and a consistent theme keeps coming up: travel pay looks big on paper, but the real take‑home is much closer to permanent compensation than many labs realize.
Below is a quick breakdown that may help as you plan your hiring strategy for 2026. What Travelers Tell Me They Actually Take Home Most travelers share that once temporary living costs are factored in, their earnings look very different from the headline numbers. * Weekly gross: $2,000–$2,500 * 12‑week total: $24,000–$30,000 * Temporary living costs: $8,000–$9,000 * Real take‑home: typically mid‑$40s to low‑$50s per hour These numbers reflect what I hear directly from histotechs who have worked multiple travel assignments. What Histotechs Value in Permanent Roles Many techs tell me that when they look at the full picture, permanent roles often land in the same range once benefits are included. Most perm packages add $8–$12/hr in real value through: * PTO * Health insurance * Retirement match * Predictable schedules * No duplicate housing * Long‑term stability That places many permanent roles in the $40–$50/hr equivalent range — right where travelers end up after expenses. What This Means for Your Lab You don’t need to match travel pay dollar‑for‑dollar to stay competitive. You do have an opportunity to highlight the full value of your permanent package and the stability your lab offers — two things histotechs consistently tell me they appreciate. If you’d like help reviewing your openings or want insight into what histotechs are prioritizing in 2026, I’m always happy to support your team. Pam RELIA Solutions 📞 407‑353‑5070 📧 [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain. Thank You! Pam M. Barker Pam Barker President/Senior Recruiting Specialist-Histology RELIA Solutions Specialists in Allied Healthcare Recruiting 5717 Red Bug Lake Road #330 Winter Springs, FL 32708-4969 Phone: (407)657-2027 Cell: (407)353-5070 Toll free: (866)60RELIA or (866)607-3542 E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> https://www.facebook.com/RELIASolutionsforhistologyprofessionals www.linkedin.com/in/reliasolutions <http://www.linkedin.com/in/reliasolutions> Right Time, Right Place, Right Move with RELIA! RELIA-Recruitment Excellence in Histology 📱🔬📜🔍 _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
