Best Travel Nursing Companies in 2026 — Honest Agency Comparison

Live Market DataVerified May 14, 2026

100+

Open Jobs

$1,938

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$3,678

Highest/Week

Albuquerque

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In-demand specialties: Long Term Care · LTC · Licensed Psychiatric Tech (LPT) · Recreational Therapist

Quick Answer9 min read

The best travel nursing agencies in 2026, ranked by category: (1) Most jobs — Aya Healthcare (30,000+ open positions, all specialties, $2,200–$4,500/wk). (2) Best benefits — Host Healthcare (day-one insurance, 401k match, housing team). (3) Best for corrections — CatSol Healthcare Staffing (CDCR/TDCJ specialists, AI matching, $2,800–$4,800/wk corrections pay). (4) Best for first-timers — Medical Solutions (highest recruiter retention, onboarding support). (5) Highest crisis pay — Fastaff/Krucial ($4,000–$7,500/wk for ICU/ER rapid response). Most experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies simultaneously for maximum job coverage.

Last updated 2026-05-08

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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.

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Agency Scorecard — All Factors at a Glance

Use this scorecard to compare agencies across every factor that affects your contract experience. Pay transparency is the single biggest differentiator — it determines whether you negotiate from full information or partial information.

Agency	Pay Transparency	Benefits	Specialty Strength	Recruiter Quality	Tech Platform	Best For
Aya Healthcare	Range shown on listings	Strong — day-one insurance, 401(k)	All specialties — #1 volume	Good — large team, some turnover	Strong — mobile app, digital credentials	Nurses who want the most job options
CatSol Healthcare	Full breakdown on every listing	Strong — day-one, pension plan	Corrections #1; RN, CNA, Allied	High — small dedicated team	AI-powered matching, transparent pay	Corrections, CNA, AI job search
Host Healthcare	Shown after application	Best in class — premium insurance, 401(k) match	All specialties — OR/ICU strong	High — low recruiter turnover	Modern — mobile app	Nurses prioritizing benefits over pay
Medical Solutions	Range shown on listings	Strong — day-one, 401(k) match	All specialties — Midwest strong	High — best onboarding support	Good	First-time travelers
Advantis Medical	Shown on platform	Good	RN + Allied Health	Good — self-service options	Self-service digital platform	Tech-forward nurses, fast starts
Fastaff / Krucial	Shown after contact	Basic	Crisis — ER, ICU, Med-Surg only	Good for crisis	Basic	Crisis pay ($4,000–$7,000+/wk)

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.

CatSol is Joint Commission certified — the gold standard in healthcare staffing. Your compliance and safety come first.

Learn about CatSol →

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

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

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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.

May 2026 Travel Nursing Agency Market Update

The travel nursing market in May 2026 has stabilized at 18–25% above pre-pandemic (2019) baselines. Crisis pay premiums are down from 2022 peaks but remain elevated in specific shortages. Here is the current agency market by specialty demand: • ICU/Critical Care: Critical shortage — top agencies (Aya, Medical Solutions, CatSol) filling CVICU and SICU contracts at $2,500–$4,500/wk • Corrections (Prison/Jail): High demand — CatSol leads with 246+ CA CDCR openings at $2,800–$4,800/wk; TDCJ added 8 new contracts in Q1 2026 • ER/Emergency: Critical shortage — rural ER premiums running +18% over metro rates; Fastaff/Krucial dominating crisis ER at $4,000–$7,000/wk • OR/Surgical: High demand — elective surgery backlog nationwide driving CNOR premium contracts at $2,500–$4,200/wk • Behavioral Health RN: Growing — 77% of US counties now designated MHPSA; Host Healthcare and CatSol both active in psych RN market • CNA/LVN: Moderate — long-term care sector recovering post-pandemic; CatSol runs dedicated CNA AI-matching pilot program Key April 2026 insight: Nurses with NLC compact licenses are getting placed 2–3 weeks faster at top agencies because credentialing does not require a new state license application. If your home state is compact (41 states as of 2026), lead with that when applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best travel nursing company in 2026?

The best overall travel nursing company depends on your needs. Aya Healthcare has the most jobs (30,000+), CatSol Healthcare has the best pay transparency and corrections specialty ($2,800–$4,800/wk CDCR), Host Healthcare has the best benefits (day-one insurance + 401k match), Medical Solutions is best for first-time travelers, and Fastaff/Krucial pays the highest crisis rates ($4,000–$7,500/wk). Most experienced travelers work with 2–3 agencies.

Which travel nursing company pays the most?

Pay varies more by assignment than by agency. For standard contracts, top agencies pay within $100–$200/week of each other. For crisis/rapid response, Fastaff and Krucial pay $4,000–$7,000+/week. For corrections nursing, CatSol offers the highest rates at CDCR and TDCJ facilities ($2,800–$3,800/week).

Is it better to work with a large or small travel nursing agency?

Large agencies (Aya, Host) have more job listings and stronger hospital relationships. Smaller agencies (CatSol, Advantis) often provide more personalized recruiter attention and specialize in specific niches. The best approach is working with 1 large and 1–2 specialized agencies to maximize both volume and attention.

Can I work with multiple travel nursing agencies at the same time?

Yes, and most experienced travel nurses do. Working with 2–3 agencies gives you more job options and leverage to negotiate. Just be transparent with your recruiters about working with other agencies — good recruiters will respect this and compete for your business.

What should I ask a travel nursing recruiter before signing?

Ask: (1) What is the full pay breakdown — base rate, housing stipend, M&IE stipend? (2) When does health insurance start? (3) What is the cancellation policy? (4) Will you be my recruiter for the full contract? (5) What is the bill rate — how much does the hospital pay the agency? This reveals the agency margin.

Which travel nursing company is best for corrections nursing?

CatSol Healthcare Staffing is the leading agency for correctional nursing (prisons, jails, detention centers). CatSol has dedicated corrections recruiters, established relationships with CDCR (California) and TDCJ (Texas), and AI-powered matching that finds the best correctional assignments. Pay ranges $2,200–$3,500/week; CA CDCR assignments pay $2,800–$3,500/week.

Are travel nursing company reviews on Google reliable?

Partially. Look for patterns across 50+ reviews, not individual complaints. Common valid complaints include recruiter turnover, pay discrepancies, and poor communication. Ignore reviews about specific assignments (that is facility-dependent, not agency). BluePipes, Vivian, and Highway Hypodermics have nurse-verified reviews.

How much do travel nursing agencies make off nurses?

Agencies typically bill hospitals $65–$120/hr for a travel nurse and pay the nurse $30–$55/hr (plus stipends). The margin (20–40%) covers recruiter salaries, insurance, compliance, and operations. Transparent agencies like CatSol show the full pay breakdown so you know exactly what you are earning.

Which travel nursing agency is best for ICU nurses in 2026?

For ICU travel nurses in 2026, Aya Healthcare has the most CVICU, SICU, and MICU contract volume nationwide. Medical Solutions is strong in Midwest ICU markets. For crisis ICU pay ($4,000–$7,500/wk), Fastaff and Krucial specialize in rapid-response ICU contracts. CatSol covers ICU at corrections and behavioral health facilities. Most ICU travelers register with Aya for volume plus one specialty agency for their unit type (CVICU, MICU, Neuro ICU) to maximize options.

What is the fastest travel nursing agency to get placed with?

Advantis Medical is known for the fastest self-service placements — some nurses start within 7–14 days for urgent assignments. Fastaff/Krucial specializes in rapid crisis deployment (72-hour start capability). For standard 13-week contracts, most top agencies place in 3–5 weeks from application. Speed tip: nurses with NLC compact licenses get placed 2–3 weeks faster at any agency because credentialing does not require a new state license application.

How do you evaluate which travel nursing agency is actually the best?

The most reliable way to evaluate a travel nursing agency is to ask these four questions before signing: (1) Show me the itemized pay breakdown — taxable base rate, housing stipend, M&IE stipend in writing. (2) What is the bill rate? The gap between what the hospital pays and your rate is the agency margin — transparent agencies share this. (3) When exactly does health insurance start? (4) How many nurses does my specific recruiter manage — 20–30 means real attention, 100+ means you are a number. Third-party review sites (BluePipes, Vivian, Highway Hypodermics) aggregate nurse-verified reviews and are more reliable than Google Reviews for agency evaluation.

Is CatSol Healthcare Staffing a good travel nursing agency?

CatSol Healthcare Staffing earns high marks for pay transparency, corrections specialty (CDCR/TDCJ), and AI-powered job matching. CatSol is the right fit for nurses targeting California correctional nursing ($2,800–$4,800/week at CDCR), nurses who want full pay transparency including the bill rate, and CNA and LVN travelers looking for AI-matched placements. CatSol is not the right fit for nurses who need the largest possible job board (Aya Healthcare has 10× more volume) or crisis pay assignments (Fastaff/Krucial specialize in rapid-response crisis rates).

Summary

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.