Travel CT Tech Career Guide: Jobs, Certification, Salary & Requirements
Computed Tomography (CT) Technologists are in high demand across the country, and the rise of travel CT Tech assignments gives experienced imaging professionals more flexibility and higher earning potential. CT departments play a key role in trauma imaging, stroke care, and cancer diagnosis, which contributes to nationwide demand for CT Technologists and higher pay for travel roles. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about becoming a travel CT Tech: certification requirements, licensing, salary insights, top states for jobs, and how to get started.
What is a travel CT technologist?
A Travel CT Technologist is a certified imaging professional who works temporary assignments—typically 13 weeks—in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or imaging centers across the U.S.
Travel CT Techs perform diagnostic scans using computed tomography technology and work closely with radiologists and other members of the healthcare team.
Many travel CT Tech assignments are at Level I and Level II trauma centers, stroke centers, and high-volume emergency departments, so travelers are expected to be confident with trauma protocols, rapid-sequence scanning, and IV contrast workflows.
Why do facilities hire travel CT techs?
To fill staffing gaps (vacations, leaves, hiring delays)
To meet seasonal or regional imaging demand
To maintain accreditation and service continuity
To support high trauma and emergency volume, especially during night and weekend shifts.
Travel CT tech job requirements
Certification & licensing
ARRT certification in Radiography (R) is required
Postprimary ARRT certification in CT (CT) strongly preferred for travel roles
Some states have separate licensing for CT Techs (e.g., California, Oregon)
Many states require a state radiologic technologist license, even if the job is exclusively CT. Travelers should check both state and facility requirements before applying. Nomad lists these licensure requirements clearly in each job posting so clinicians know up front whether a state license is needed.
Experience needed:
Most travel employers require 1–2 years of recent CT experience
Additional requirements: BLS certification, IV contrast competency
Most travel CT positions also require recent experience with trauma CT, contrast protocols, and scan workflows in fast-paced environments such as emergency departments.
Key skills:
Trauma and contrast-enhanced CT
Neuro, angio, and abdomen/pelvis protocols
PACS/EMR systems and dose safety practices
Travel CT tech salary & benefits
Role | Weekly Pay (Est.) | Annualized Equivalent |
$1,300–$1,700 | $68,000–$88,000 | |
Travel CT Tech | $2,100–$3,000+ | $110,000–$156,000+ |
Night shift, weekend shift, and crisis contracts usually pay more than daytime schedules, and CT Technologists with ARRT(CT) certification and multiple state licenses often qualify for the highest rates.
Pay factors
Facility type (trauma, outpatient, academic)
Location (urban vs rural)
Shift (nights, weekends = higher pay)
Credentialing (ARRT (CT) often required for top contracts)
Travel benefits typically include:
Housing stipends
Travel and license reimbursement
Health, dental, vision insurance
401(k) match or retirement options
Bonuses (sign-on, extension, completion)
Best states & facilities for travel CT techs
Top-paying states for travel CT Techs include:
High-demand facilities include
Level I and II trauma centers
Comprehensive cancer centers
Large outpatient diagnostic imaging groups
Mobile imaging companies
Travel CT tech career pathway
Step-by-step to start traveling
Graduate from a JRCERT-accredited radiography program
Earn your ARRT Radiography (R) credential
Gain clinical experience in CT imaging
Apply for and pass the ARRT CT postprimary exam
Build 1–2 years of CT experience
Apply for travel jobs through trusted platforms like Nomad Health
Many CT Technologists expand into CT from Radiography by completing structured education and supervised CT competencies before taking the ARRT (CT) exam, and this cross-training pathway is one of the most common routes into travel CT roles. Travel CT roles sometimes accept cross-trained Radiologic Technologists who do not hold the ARRT (CT) credential if they have documented CT experience, depending on state licensure rules and the individual facility’s requirements. Nomad lists these expectations clearly on each job posting so clinicians know up front whether ARRT (CT) is required or whether cross-trained CT experience is acceptable.
Pros & cons of being a travel CT tech
Pros
Higher weekly pay than permanent staff roles due to travel premiums and stipends
Flexibility to choose locations, schedules, and contract lengths
Experience with a wide range of scanners, protocols, and trauma levels
Faster career growth through exposure to high-acuity facilities and new workflows
Opportunities to learn new EMRs, PACS systems, and department layouts
Cons
Frequent onboarding and adjusting to new EMRs/workflows at each facility
Scheduling uncertainty after contract end, depending on market demand
Managing travel logistics, housing, and licensing across multiple states
Night/weekend shifts are often required at high-paying trauma facilities
Credentialing requirements vary by client, so documentation must stay current
For many CT Technologists, the higher pay and career growth outweigh the travel logistics, which is why travel CT continues to be one of the fastest-growing career paths in medical imaging.
How to land your first travel CT assignment
Get ARRT (CT) certified and ensure your credentials are current
Prepare a skills-focused resume with PACS, IV contrast, trauma proficiencies
Have references and documentation ready for rapid submission
Use Nomad Health for recruiter-free access to top-paying CT Tech jobs
Review job listings for licensure requirements before applying. Nomad provides state licensure and certification requirements on each CT Tech job so clinicians can avoid credentialing delays.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
- $2,100–$3,000+, depending on location and shift.
- Most travel CT jobs require ARRT (CT) certification, but some facilities accept cross-trained Radiologic Technologists with documented CT experience. Requirements are determined by each client, and Nomad lists licensure and credentialing expectations on every job so clinicians know whether they qualify before applying.
- Typically 1–2 years of recent CT experience.
- California, Washington, New York, and Oregon.
- Yes—typically via weekly stipends, not employer-owned housing.