Best Travel Nursing Companies in 2026: 8 Agencies Compared
How we put this together: we compare official feature and pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- Aya Healthcare and AMN Healthcare offer the largest job pools, which suits nurses who want many contract choices.
- Travel Nurse Across America and Host Healthcare stand out for clear pay packages and day-one benefits.
- Medical Solutions and Fusion Medical Staffing suit nurses who want a steady recruiter relationship.
- Trusted Health suits nurses who prefer a digital, recruiter-free job search with transparent pay.
Quick comparison
| Name | Who it suits | Starting price | Free option | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largest job pool | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Large network and stability | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Transparent pay packages | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Experienced travelers | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| First-time travelers | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Benefits and housing support | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Personal recruiter support | See website | Yes | Visit | |
| Digital, recruiter-free search | See website | Yes | Visit |
The best travel nursing companies
The best travel nursing companies differ in job volume, pay transparency, benefits, and recruiter style, so the right agency depends on what you value most. We compared official agency pages, benefits information, and public recruiter and nurse feedback, and we kept only agencies that operate in the United States today. Joining these agencies is free for nurses; agencies earn from facilities, not from travelers. Pay varies by specialty, location, and contract, so always compare the full weekly package, not just the headline rate.

Aya Healthcare is one of the largest travel nursing agencies in the United States, and its job volume is its main advantage. Nurses can search thousands of contracts across specialties and states, and digital tools help with applications, credentials, and documents. Day-one benefits, including health insurance and retirement options, are available on many assignments.
Size is also the drawback. With a large agency, your experience depends heavily on your individual recruiter, and some nurses report feeling like one of many. If you want the widest choice of contracts and you are comfortable managing the relationship, Aya is a strong first agency to join.
- Very large job board
- Digital tools for search and documents
- Day-one benefits on many contracts
- Large size can feel impersonal
- Recruiter experience varies

AMN Healthcare, through brands including American Mobile Healthcare, is another giant in travel staffing. Its network gives nurses access to many hospitals, including exclusive contracts that smaller agencies cannot offer. For nurses who want stability and a well-known name behind their contract, AMN is a safe choice.
As with other large agencies, recruiter load can vary, and benefits start dates should be confirmed in writing before you sign. AMN suits nurses who want breadth and brand recognition, and who will compare each contract package carefully rather than accepting the first offer.
- Huge facility network
- Long track record
- Many exclusive contracts
- Recruiters may carry large nurse loads
- Benefits timing should be confirmed in writing

Travel Nurse Across America
Who it suits: Transparent pay packages

Travel Nurse Across America, known as TNAA, has built its reputation on pay transparency. Packages show the split between base pay and housing and meal stipends, which helps nurses compare offers fairly. Sick time accrues from the start on many contracts, and housing support or a stipend is standard.
TNAA does not match the largest agencies on sheer job count, and coverage varies by specialty. For nurses who care most about understanding exactly what they will earn and what happens if a shift cancels, TNAA is one of the clearest agencies to work with.
- Clear pay breakdowns
- Sick time accrues early
- Housing support or stipend
- Job volume is smaller than Aya or AMN
- Specialty coverage varies
Cross Country Healthcare has staffed travel nurses for decades, and its experience shows in contract handling and weekly pay reliability. Its network spans many hospitals, including Magnet facilities, and it offers both travel and local contracts for nurses who want variety.
It is less digital-first than platforms such as Trusted Health, so nurses who prefer to search and apply without a recruiter may find it slower. Experienced travelers who value a steady agency and a broad network, and who already know how to read a pay package, will feel at home here.
- Long-established agency
- Broad facility network
- Reliable weekly pay
- Less digital-first than newer platforms
- Experience depends on recruiter
Medical Solutions is a good pick for a first travel assignment, because its model pairs you with a dedicated recruiter for the whole journey. That continuity helps when you have questions about housing, licensing, or a new city, and the agency offers support programs including mental health resources and pet-friendly assignment help.
Pay still varies by specialty and location, so compare each offer in full. First-time travelers often value guidance over a slightly higher rate, and Medical Solutions is structured to give that guidance. If you want a recruiter who knows your history, this agency deserves a conversation.
- Dedicated recruiter model
- Pet-friendly assignments
- Mental health support
- Job volume is below the largest agencies
- Pay varies by contract as with all agencies
Host Healthcare is a mid-sized agency known for benefits and housing support. Day-one health coverage is available on many contracts, retirement options are offered, and a dedicated housing team helps with arranged housing or stipend choices. That support matters when you are moving to a new city every few months.
The job pool is smaller than Aya or AMN, so a niche specialty may have fewer options at any given time. For nurses who rank benefits, housing help, and responsive support above raw job count, Host Healthcare is a strong contender.
- Day-one benefits on many contracts
- Dedicated housing team
- 401(k) options
- Mid-sized job pool
- Specialty coverage is narrower than the largest agencies
Fusion Medical Staffing focuses on personal service, with recruiters who stay in close contact through the assignment. Nurses who value quick answers, honest communication, and a recruiter who knows their preferences often rate Fusion highly. The agency covers travel nursing and allied health, which helps households with two travelers in different fields.
Its scale is smaller than the national giants, so job choice can be narrower in some specialties. As with every agency, compare the full package, including stipends and benefits, rather than the headline weekly rate. For relationship-driven nurses, Fusion is worth joining alongside a larger agency.
- Personalized recruiter support
- Clear communication
- Travel and allied staffing
- Smaller than national giants
- Pay must be compared contract by contract
Trusted Health takes a different approach: nurses search jobs, see pay packages, and apply through a platform, with a nurse advocate available for support rather than a traditional recruiter driving the process. That transparency appeals to experienced travelers who want to compare offers themselves and move fast.
First-time travelers may miss the guidance of a dedicated recruiter, especially around licensing and housing. Trusted Health suits nurses who are comfortable managing their own search and who want pay clarity upfront. Many experienced travelers use it alongside a traditional agency to widen their options.
- Search and apply without a recruiter
- Transparent pay packages
- Nurse advocate support
- Less hand-holding for first-timers
- Facility coverage varies by specialty
How we picked these
We compared official agency pages, benefits details, housing options, and public nurse feedback for travel nursing agencies operating in the United States today. We favored agencies with a clear benefits policy, housing support or stipends, and a distinct model, so the list covers large, mid-sized, and digital-first options. Pay changes with every contract, so we do not rank agencies on a single weekly rate; instead, we note what each agency is known for and what to confirm before signing.
How to compare travel nursing offers fairly
Start with the full package breakdown. Ask for base hourly pay, housing stipend or arranged housing value, meal stipend, and any bonuses, and check whether stipends are tax-free under current rules. Two offers with the same weekly total can pay very differently once taxes and overtime are counted, because only base pay usually counts toward overtime and retirement.
Next, confirm benefits in writing. Ask when health insurance starts, what the 401(k) match and vesting rules are, whether sick time accrues, and what happens to pay if a shift or contract cancels. Get the answers in the contract, not just in a recruiter message, since contract terms are what matter if plans change.
Finally, work with two or three agencies at once. Different agencies hold different contracts, even at the same hospital, and having options gives you more room to negotiate pay and housing. Judge recruiters by responsiveness and honesty, not by the first rate they quote, and keep notes on each offer so you can compare like with like.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel nursing company?
There is no single best agency, because the right choice depends on your priorities. Aya Healthcare and AMN Healthcare offer the largest job pools. Travel Nurse Across America is known for transparent pay, while Host Healthcare stands out for benefits and housing support. Join two or three agencies and compare real offers.
Which travel nurse company pays the most?
Pay depends on specialty, location, shift, and contract length, not on agency alone. Crisis and rapid-response contracts often pay more but are shorter and less predictable. Always compare the full package, including stipends and benefits, and ask for the pay breakdown in writing before you accept.
What is the best travel nurse company for first-time travelers?
Medical Solutions suits many first-time travelers, thanks to its dedicated recruiter model and support programs. Host Healthcare is another good option for benefits and housing help. A first assignment goes smoother with a recruiter who explains licensing, housing, and contract terms clearly.
Do travel nursing companies provide housing?
Most offer a choice: agency-arranged housing or a housing stipend to find your own place. Arranged housing removes the search and lease risk, while a stipend can leave more money if you find cheaper housing. Confirm the housing value, location, and what happens if the contract ends early.
How long is a typical travel nursing contract?
Most travel contracts last 13 weeks, though 8-week, 26-week, and shorter crisis contracts are also common. Extensions are possible if the facility and nurse both agree. Check the contract length, extension terms, and cancellation policy before you sign, since they affect pay and housing.
Sources we checked (8)
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