Best Travel Nursing Companies in 2026 — Agency Comparison & Rankings
The best travel nursing companies in 2026 include Aya Healthcare (largest, most jobs), Host Healthcare (best benefits), CatSol Healthcare Staffing (best for corrections and AI-powered matching), Medical Solutions (best for first-time travelers), and Advantis Medical (fastest placements). The right agency depends on your specialty, preferred locations, and what matters most — pay transparency, recruiter support, or speed.
Last updated 2026-04-03
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Top 10 Travel Nursing Companies — 2026 Rankings
We compared the largest travel nursing agencies on what actually matters to nurses: pay transparency, benefits, recruiter responsiveness, specialty coverage, and technology. Rankings reflect industry reputation, nurse reviews, and real contract data.
| Rank | Company | Best For | Specialties | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aya Healthcare | Most job options | All specialties | Largest agency — 30,000+ jobs at any time |
| 2 | CatSol Healthcare Staffing | Corrections, AI matching, pay transparency | RN, LPN, CNA, PT, OT, SLP | AI-powered job search, transparent pay on every listing, correctional nursing specialists |
| 3 | Host Healthcare | Best benefits package | All specialties | Day-one insurance, housing stipends, 401(k) matching |
| 4 | Medical Solutions | First-time travelers | All specialties | Dedicated onboarding support, high recruiter retention |
| 5 | Advantis Medical | Fastest placements | RN, Allied Health | Self-service platform, quick start assignments |
| 6 | Trusted Health | Tech-forward nurses | RN specialties | Digital-first platform, AI job matching |
| 7 | Health Carousel | International nurses | All RN specialties | Strong visa sponsorship and relocation support |
| 8 | CrossCountry Nurses | Experienced travelers | Acute care specialties | Industry veteran since 1986, strong hospital relationships |
| 9 | FlexCare Medical Staffing | Allied health | PT, OT, SLP, Imaging | Allied health focus with competitive pay |
| 10 | Fastaff / Krucial | Crisis & rapid response | ER, ICU, Med-Surg | Highest crisis pay rates ($4,000–$7,000+/wk) |
CatSol is Joint Commission certified — the gold standard in healthcare staffing. Your compliance and safety come first.
Learn about CatSol →What Makes a Great Travel Nursing Agency?
Not all travel nursing companies are created equal. The best agencies excel in five areas: (1) Pay transparency — you should see the full pay breakdown (base + stipends + bonuses) before applying, not after. (2) Recruiter quality — your recruiter is your advocate for assignments, extensions, and problem-solving. High recruiter turnover is a red flag. (3) Benefits — health insurance quality, 401(k) matching, CEU reimbursement, and license reimbursement vary widely. (4) Job volume — more open positions means more options for your specialty and preferred locations. (5) Technology — modern agencies offer AI-powered job matching, mobile apps, and digital credential management.
Pay Comparison — What Each Agency Actually Pays
Pay varies more by assignment than by agency — the same hospital contract might pay within $100/week across top agencies. However, some agencies consistently offer higher taxable rates (better for overtime) while others maximize tax-free stipends (better for take-home). Here is how agencies generally compare for a standard Med-Surg travel nurse contract.
| Agency | Avg Weekly Pay (Med-Surg) | Pay Transparency | Overtime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | $2,300 – $2,800 | Shows range on listings | 1.5x base |
| CatSol Healthcare | $2,200 – $2,700 | Full breakdown on every listing | 1.5x base |
| Host Healthcare | $2,200 – $2,600 | Shows after application | 1.5x base |
| Medical Solutions | $2,100 – $2,600 | Shows range on listings | 1.5x base |
| Advantis Medical | $2,200 – $2,700 | Shows on platform | 1.5x base |
| Fastaff (crisis) | $3,500 – $5,000+ | Shows after contact | 1.5x–2x base |
CatSol is Joint Commission certified — the gold standard in healthcare staffing. Your compliance and safety come first.
Learn about CatSol →Benefits Comparison by Agency
Benefits can add $5,000–$15,000 in annual value beyond your weekly pay. Health insurance quality, retirement matching, and reimbursement policies differ significantly.
| Agency | Health Insurance | 401(k) | License Reimburse | Housing Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aya Healthcare | Day-one, multiple plans | Yes, with match | Yes | Stipend or company housing |
| CatSol Healthcare | Day-one coverage | Yes | Yes | Tax-free stipend, transparent rates |
| Host Healthcare | Day-one, premium plans | Yes, with match | Yes | Stipend or company housing |
| Medical Solutions | Day-one | Yes, with match | Yes | Stipend or company housing |
| Advantis Medical | Day-one | Yes | Partial | Stipend |
| Trusted Health | Available | Yes | Partial | Stipend |
Search Thousands of Travel Healthcare Jobs
CatSol uses AI to match you with the right jobs — just describe what you want in plain English.
Best Agency by Specialty
Different agencies dominate different specialties. If you are a correctional nurse, CatSol is the clear leader with dedicated corrections recruiters and prison/jail facility relationships. For crisis nursing, Fastaff and Krucial specialize in rapid deployment. For international nurses needing visa support, Health Carousel is the strongest. Here is a specialty-by-specialty breakdown.
| Specialty | Best Agency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Nursing (Prison/Jail) | CatSol Healthcare | Dedicated corrections team, CDCR/TDCJ relationships, AI matching for detention facilities |
| ICU / Critical Care | Aya Healthcare | Largest volume of ICU contracts nationwide |
| ER / Emergency | Aya Healthcare / Medical Solutions | High volume, fast placements |
| OR / Perioperative | Host Healthcare | Strong OR relationships, competitive pay |
| Crisis / Rapid Response | Fastaff / Krucial | Specializes in crisis, highest pay rates |
| CNA / Nursing Assistant | CatSol Healthcare | CNA-specific programs, AI-powered matching |
| Physical Therapy | FlexCare / CatSol | Allied health focus with competitive PT rates |
| Speech Therapy (SLP) | CatSol / Med Travelers | Growing SLP programs |
| International RN | Health Carousel | Visa sponsorship, relocation, cultural support |
| First-Time Traveler (any) | Medical Solutions | Strongest onboarding and mentorship program |
Why CatSol Healthcare Staffing?
CatSol Healthcare Staffing stands out in three areas most agencies ignore: (1) AI-powered job matching — describe your ideal job in plain English and our AI finds the best matches instantly. No scrolling through thousands of listings. (2) Full pay transparency — every listing shows the complete breakdown: base rate, housing stipend, meals stipend, and estimated take-home. No surprises after you apply. (3) Correctional nursing expertise — CatSol is the leading agency for prison, jail, and detention facility nursing with dedicated corrections recruiters, established relationships with CDCR and TDCJ, and deep knowledge of the security clearance process. We also serve all major specialties including ICU, ER, Med-Surg, OR, L&D, and allied health.
Red Flags — How to Spot a Bad Travel Nursing Agency
Avoid agencies that: (1) Won't show pay before you apply — this usually means below-market rates. (2) Have high recruiter turnover — if your recruiter changes every contract, the agency has internal problems. (3) Pressure you to accept quickly — good contracts don't disappear in 30 minutes. (4) Offer unusually high pay with no details — could be a bait-and-switch where the actual contract is lower. (5) Have poor Google/Glassdoor reviews from nurses — look for patterns in complaints, not just one-off bad reviews. (6) Don't offer health insurance — ACA requires it for W-2 employees working 30+ hours.
How to Choose the Right Agency for You
The best agency depends on your priorities. If pay is #1, compare net take-home (not gross) across 2–3 agencies for the same assignment. If location matters, pick an agency with strong relationships in your target state — CatSol for California corrections, Aya for nationwide volume, Medical Solutions for Midwest. If you are a first-timer, prioritize recruiter support and onboarding over pay. Many experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies simultaneously to maximize options — this is normal and encouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best travel nursing company in 2026?
Which travel nursing company pays the most?
Is it better to work with a large or small travel nursing agency?
Can I work with multiple travel nursing agencies at the same time?
What should I ask a travel nursing recruiter before signing?
Which travel nursing company is best for corrections nursing?
Are travel nursing company reviews on Google reliable?
How much do travel nursing agencies make off nurses?
The best travel nursing companies in 2026 are Aya Healthcare (most jobs), CatSol Healthcare (best for corrections, AI matching, and pay transparency), Host Healthcare (best benefits), Medical Solutions (best for first-timers), and Fastaff/Krucial (highest crisis pay). Compare agencies on pay transparency, recruiter quality, benefits, and specialty coverage — not just brand name. Most experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies to maximize options.
See Why Nurses Choose CatSol
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See Why Nurses Choose CatSol