How do I choose the best travel nursing agency?

Choose a travel nursing agency by evaluating five factors: (1) Pay transparency — does the agency show you the gross weekly package upfront, not just hourly rate? (2) Recruiter quality — will you have one dedicated recruiter, or be bounced around? (3) Job volume in your specialty and target states — does the agency have MSP (Managed Service Provider) contracts at facilities you want? (4) Benefits timing — does Day-1 insurance start immediately, or after a waiting period? (5) Specialty expertise — a corrections-focused agency like CatSol will have better corrections pay rates than a generalist agency.

Should I work with one travel nursing agency or multiple?

Most experienced travel nurses work with 2–3 agencies simultaneously. This gives you access to more job postings (since agencies have exclusive MSP contracts at specific facilities), negotiating leverage (you can show competing offers), and a backup if your preferred agency loses a contract. The risk: splitting your profile across too many agencies can confuse recruiters. Start with 2 agencies, add a third for specialty or geography expansion. Always be transparent with recruiters that you are exploring multiple options — it builds trust and usually results in better offers.

What is a travel nursing agency bill rate?

The bill rate is what the hospital or facility pays the staffing agency per hour for your work. The agency keeps a markup (typically 15–35%) and passes the remainder to you as your pay package. A nurse earning $60/hour taxable + $1,200/week housing stipend might be at a bill rate of $95–$110/hour. The markup is rarely disclosed. The best travel nursing agencies are transparent about their pay packages — look for agencies that will show you a full pay breakdown: taxable hourly rate, housing stipend, meal stipend, M&IE, and any other components of your weekly gross.

HomeTravel Nursing Agencies

2026 Agency Guide

Travel Nursing Agencies 2026

$2,000–$4,500/week across 300+ agencies — but they're not all equal. This guide compares agency types, pay transparency, recruiter quality, and specialty coverage so you choose the one that pays you the most.

All agencies draw from the same facility bill rate. The difference between a good and a bad agency is how much they pass back to you.

🏆 Top 10 Agencies Ranked💰 Pay Transparency Comparison🔍 National vs Boutique vs Specialty⚠️ Red Flags to Watch

Quick Answer: What Is a Travel Nursing Agency?

A travel nursing agency connects RNs and allied clinicians with short-term contract positions (typically 13 weeks) at hospitals nationwide. The agency handles pay packages, housing stipends, licensing support, and benefits — you get matched to a facility and the agency takes a markup on the bill rate. Top agencies in 2026: Aya Healthcare (largest volume), CatSol Healthcare Staffing (corrections + AI matching), Host Healthcare (best benefits), Medical Solutions (best for first-timers), Fastaff (highest crisis pay). Weekly pay ranges from $2,000 to $7,000+ depending on specialty and crisis demand.

Agency Types — National vs Boutique vs Specialty

Understanding agency type is the first step — it determines recruiter attention, job volume, and whether the agency has exclusive access to facilities in your target state.

Agency Type	Examples	Pros	Cons	Best For
National (Large)	Aya, AMN, Cross Country, Medical Solutions	Most open jobs, brand recognition, large benefits dept, MSP access	Recruiters carry 80–120+ nurses — can feel like a number	First-timers; high-volume seekers; flexibility over specialty
Mid-Size	Host Healthcare, Fusion Medical, Trusted Health	Balance of job volume + recruiter attention, competitive pay	Smaller benefits team; less crisis pay leverage than nationals	Experienced travelers who want recruiter relationship + options
Boutique / Specialty	CatSol (corrections), Advantis, Fastaff (crisis)	Deep niche expertise, highest pay in their specialty, personal service	Fewer jobs outside specialty area	Nurses with a clear specialty focus (corrections, ICU crisis, allied)
Per Diem / Local	IntelyCare, ShiftKey, NurseCore	Maximum scheduling flexibility, no assignment commitment	No housing stipends; not classified as travel; lower total income	Nurses who want local flexibility, not travel income

Top 10 Travel Nursing Agencies 2026 — Ranked

Ranked on pay transparency, recruiter quality, specialty depth, benefits, and real nurse reviews. All agencies listed are Joint Commission certified or meet equivalent credentialing standards.

#	Agency	Type	Best For	Weekly Pay	Day-1 Benefits
#1	Aya Healthcare 30,000+ active jobs — largest agency in the US	National	Most job volume	$2,000–$4,500/wk	✅
#2	CatSol Healthcare Staffing AI-powered job search + highest corrections pay rates; Joint Commission certified	Specialty Boutique	Corrections, AI matching, pay transparency	$2,200–$4,800/wk	✅
#3	Host Healthcare Day-1 benefits, 401(k) match, dedicated housing team	Mid-size	Best benefits package	$2,000–$4,200/wk	✅
#4	Medical Solutions Highest recruiter retention rate — same recruiter, entire career	National	First-time travelers	$2,000–$4,000/wk	✅
#5	Advantis Medical Self-service platform, 72-hour start capability on urgent assignments	Mid-size	Fastest placements	$2,000–$4,000/wk	✅
#6	AMN Healthcare Largest by revenue; strong hospital system MSP relationships	National	Brand recognition, largest by revenue	$2,000–$4,000/wk	✅
#7	Trusted Health Digital-first platform, transparent pay packages, AI matching	Mid-size	Tech-forward nurses	$2,000–$4,000/wk	✅
#8	Cross Country Nurses Industry veteran since 1986; preferred vendor at many Magnet hospitals	National	Experienced travelers, JCAHO-certified facilities	$2,000–$4,200/wk	✅
#9	Fastaff / Krucial Highest crisis pay rates in the industry; short-notice rapid deployment	Specialty	Crisis response, highest acute-care pay	$4,000–$7,000+/wk	❌
#10	FlexCare Medical Staffing Allied health focus with dedicated specialty recruiters	Mid-size	Allied health travelers	$1,800–$3,200/wk	✅

How Travel Nursing Agencies Pay You — And What They Hide

What Goes Into Your Weekly Package

Taxable Hourly Rate

Reported to IRS; impacts blended rate calculations

$28–$50/hr × 36 hrs = $1,008–$1,800/wk

Housing Stipend

Tax-free if you maintain a tax home; largest component

$700–$1,400/wk (varies by cost of living)

Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)

Tax-free, tied to GSA per diem rate for assignment city

$200–$600/wk

Travel Reimbursement

Paid once per assignment (start + end), not weekly

$500–$1,500 per contract

Completion Bonus

Not guaranteed — some agencies use this as hold-back

$500–$2,000 per contract

Red Flags — Agency Hiding Your Money

Only quotes "all-in" weekly rate — Hides taxable vs tax-free split — you can't compare across agencies
Refuses to show pay breakdown on paper — Transparent agencies put every line item in writing before you commit
Completion bonus instead of guaranteed pay — Hold-backs reduce your actual pay if contract is cancelled by facility
No dedicated recruiter — rotates between agents — A rotating desk means nobody knows your history, license state, or preferences
Inflated housing stipend with very low taxable rate — Can violate IRS rules and create back-tax liability for you — not the agency
Promises a position before you are credentialed — No agency can guarantee placement — this is a pressure tactic

Green Flags — Agency That Has Your Back

Shows full pay breakdown (taxable + stipends) in writing
One dedicated recruiter for your entire tenure
Day-1 health insurance with no waiting period
Offers to explain your tax home strategy
Active MSP contracts at facilities in your target states
Joint Commission certified or NATHO/NCHA member

How Many Travel Nursing Agencies Should You Use?

1 Agency

Not Recommended

Pros: Simpler, single recruiter relationship

Cons: Miss exclusive MSP jobs at other agencies; no negotiating leverage; vulnerable if agency loses a contract

Only if you have an exceptional long-term recruiter relationship

2–3 Agencies

Recommended

Pros: Best job coverage, competitive offers, backup if one agency loses facilities; manageable recruiter relationships

Cons: Slightly more administrative — two recruiters to update on availability

Most experienced travel nurses operate at 2–3 agencies

4+ Agencies

Too Many

Pros: Maximum job access

Cons: Recruiter relationships suffer; hard to keep availability synced; credentialing files get complicated

Only for very experienced travelers in ultra-niche specialties

Travel Nurse Pay by Specialty — 2026

Specialty	Weekly Pay Range	Crisis Pay	Demand Level
CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist)	$3,500–$7,000/wk	$7,000–$10,000/wk	🔴 Critical Shortage
ICU / Critical Care (CVICU, SICU, MICU)	$2,500–$4,500/wk	$4,500–$7,500/wk	🔴 Critical Shortage
ER / Emergency Room	$2,400–$4,200/wk	$4,000–$7,000/wk	🔴 Critical Shortage
OR / Surgical Services	$2,300–$4,000/wk	$3,800–$6,000/wk	🟠 High Demand
Labor & Delivery (L&D)	$2,200–$3,800/wk	$3,500–$5,500/wk	🟠 High Demand
Correctional Nursing (RN)	$2,400–$4,800/wk	$4,000–$6,000/wk	🟠 High Demand
NICU	$2,200–$3,800/wk	$3,500–$5,500/wk	🟠 High Demand
Psych / Behavioral Health RN	$2,000–$3,500/wk	$3,000–$5,000/wk	🟡 Moderate-High
Med-Surg	$2,000–$3,200/wk	$3,000–$5,000/wk	🟡 Moderate-High
LPN / LVN	$1,400–$2,400/wk	$2,400–$3,500/wk	🟡 Moderate
CNA / Nursing Assistant	$900–$1,600/wk	$1,500–$2,500/wk	🟡 Moderate

80 Open Travel Nurse Positions — Live

Most openings: California, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,678/wk

Wasco State Prison (WSP) · Wasco, California

Optometrist

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,673/wk

North Kern State Prison (NKSP) · Delano, California

Optometrist

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,670/wk

Mount Edgecumbe Medical Center · Sitka, Alaska

Case Manager

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,650.82/wk

Providence Saint Joseph Hospital Eureka · Eureka, California

Radiation Therapist

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,646.08/wk

MarinHealth Medical Center · Greenbrae, California

Manager

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,615/wk

Kuakini Medical Center · Honolulu, Hawaii

Cath Lab

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,612.56/wk

Renown Health · Reno, Nevada

ICU Manager

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,522.39/wk

Providence Seward Mountain Haven · Seward, Alaska

Long Term Care (LTC)

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,490/wk

Christus Saint Francis Cabrini Hospital · Alexandria, Louisiana

Cath Lab Tech

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,490/wk

Christus Saint Francis Cabrini Hospital · Alexandria, Louisiana

Pharmacist - Inpatient

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,476/wk

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center · Winston Salem, North Carolina

Interventional Radiology Tech

Healthcare Travel Assignment

$3,476/wk

Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center · Winston Salem, North Carolina

Interventional Radiology Tech

Search All 80+ Openings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a travel nursing agency?

A travel nursing agency is a healthcare staffing company that connects RNs and allied clinicians with short-term contract positions (typically 13 weeks) at hospitals nationwide. The agency handles pay packages, housing stipends, licensing support, and benefits. You are the agency's employee during the contract; the facility pays the agency a bill rate, and the agency passes a portion to you as your pay package.

How much do travel nursing agencies pay per week?

Top travel nursing agencies pay $2,000–$4,500/week for general RNs in 2026. ICU and ER nurses earn $2,500–$4,500/week. CRNAs earn $3,500–$7,000/week. Crisis positions pay $4,000–$7,500+/week. All packages include a taxable hourly rate plus tax-free housing and meal stipends.

Should I use one travel nursing agency or multiple?

2–3 agencies is the proven optimal number. This gives you coverage of exclusive MSP contracts across agencies, negotiating leverage when you receive competing offers, and a backup if one agency loses a facility. More than 3 agencies becomes difficult to manage without recruiter relationships suffering.

What is a bill rate in travel nursing?

The bill rate is what the hospital pays the agency per hour for your work. Agencies keep a markup (typically 15–35%) and pass the remainder to you. A transparent agency will show you your full pay breakdown — taxable rate, housing stipend, meals and incidentals, and travel reimbursement — so you can compare packages across agencies on an apples-to-apples basis.

What is the difference between national and boutique travel nursing agencies?

National agencies (Aya, AMN, Cross Country) have the most job volume via MSP contracts but recruiters carry 80–120+ nurses. Boutique agencies are smaller and specialty-focused — CatSol for corrections, Fastaff for crisis response — with deeper niche expertise and often higher pay in their specialty. Most experienced travelers use one national + one boutique agency.

How do I know if a travel nursing agency is reputable?

Look for: Joint Commission healthcare staffing certification, membership in NATHO or NCHA, verified nurse reviews on Highway Hypodermics, and pay transparency (they show you every line item). Red flags: "all-in" rate quotes without breakdown, recruiter rotation instead of a dedicated agent, or completion bonuses structured as hold-backs rather than guaranteed pay.

More Agency & Pay Resources

Best Travel Nursing Companies 2026

Detailed agency reviews — pay, recruiter quality, benefits

Top Agencies by Specialty 2026

Which agencies pay most for your specialty

Travel Nurse Pay Guide 2026

Complete breakdown: hourly, stipends, crisis pay

Tax & Stipend Rules

How housing + M&IE stipends work, IRS rules

How to Choose an Agency

Step-by-step guide: questions to ask every recruiter

Corrections Nursing Hub

Highest-paying niche — CDCR, BOP, state prisons

Skip the Agency Search — Let CatSol Match You

CatSol is a Joint Commission certified travel nursing agency specializing in corrections, behavioral health, and allied therapy. We show you the full pay breakdown on every offer — taxable rate, housing stipend, and all components — before you commit.

Dedicated recruiter. Transparent pay. AI-matched to the highest-paying open position in your specialty and target states.

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