Best Travel Nursing Companies in 2026: 9 Companies Compared

Aya Healthcare is the largest travel nursing agency by many measures, and that scale shows in job choice. Nurses can browse a large, updated database of assignments across specialties and states, with many facilities offering same-day or fast offers through direct relationships. Benefits described on Aya listings include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance from day one, a 401(k) match, paid housing or a housing stipend, and unlimited continuing education units online.

Scale is also the trade-off. A large agency can feel less personal than a small one, and the quality of support often depends on the individual recruiter. Pay also varies widely: general medical and surgical contracts often fall in a lower weekly range than high-demand specialty contracts in hard-to-staff locations. For a nurse who wants the most options and strong baseline benefits, Aya is a strong first call.

AMN Healthcare is one of the largest healthcare staffing firms in the United States, with travel nursing as a core business alongside allied health and physician staffing. That breadth gives nurses access to many hospitals and health systems, including large academic centers, and a range of specialties from emergency and intensive care to labor and delivery and operating room work.

The experience of a large firm cuts both ways. Systems for licensing, compliance, and payroll are well established, but processes can feel slower than at a small agency, and a nurse may need to advocate more firmly for a preferred assignment. As with every agency here, compare the full pay package, guaranteed hours, and housing terms for the specific job, not the agency average.

Cross Country Healthcare has staffed travel nurses for decades, and its pay structure follows the industry standard: taxable hourly wages plus non-taxable housing and meals stipends when tax-home rules are met, plus travel reimbursement and, in some cases, a completion bonus. Published job listings show general medical and surgical contracts often in the $1,700 to $2,400 per week range, with high-demand specialty contracts reaching $3,000 to $4,500 per week or more in challenging locations.

That range shows why a headline weekly figure needs context. Take-home pay depends on the taxable and non-taxable split, tax withholding, benefit deductions, and guaranteed hours. Cross Country suits a nurse who wants an established agency with a familiar process and a wide assignment list. Confirm tax-home eligibility and housing terms before signing, since those details change the real value of a package.

Travel Nurse Across America, often called TNAA, is known among travel nurses for recruiter relationships that feel more personal than at the largest agencies. Many nurses stay with the same recruiter across assignments, which helps when a nurse has strong preferences on location, shift, or facility type. Housing assistance, benefits, and licensing support follow the standard travel model, with details varying by contract.

The trade-off is scale. TNAA does not list as many jobs as Aya or AMN on a given day, so a nurse with a very specific location or specialty may need to check more than one agency. For a nurse who values a recruiter who knows their history and preferences, TNAA is a strong choice, especially for a first assignment where guidance matters.

Host Healthcare is a smaller agency that has built a reputation on recruiter support and nurse satisfaction. Nurses often cite responsive communication and help with housing, licensing, and travel logistics, which matter most when an assignment starts quickly or a problem arises mid-contract. Host staffs registered nurses across many specialties and states, with a focus on a personal experience.

As with TNAA, the smaller scale means fewer simultaneous listings than the largest firms. A nurse who wants the widest choice may still want to compare Host against Aya or AMN for a specific location. A nurse who wants a recruiter who answers quickly and knows their file may prefer Host, even if it means waiting for the right job.

Fusion Medical Staffing emphasizes transparent pay packages and a personal recruiter relationship. Job listings typically break down taxable pay and stipends, which helps a nurse compare offers honestly rather than guessing at the split. Housing assistance, travel reimbursement, and benefits follow the standard travel model, with specifics set by contract.

Fusion is smaller than Aya, AMN, and Cross Country, so job volume in a niche specialty or a specific city may be lower on a given week. For a nurse who wants a clear package breakdown and a recruiter who explains the numbers, Fusion is a good second or third agency to check alongside a larger firm.

Medical Solutions is a large travel staffing agency with a broad list of nursing and allied health assignments across the United States. Its scale gives nurses access to many facilities and specialties, and its benefits and housing support follow the standard travel model. Nurses who want to try different regions or specialties over several assignments can find variety here.

The large-agency trade-offs apply again: recruiter quality varies, and a nurse may need to be clear about must-haves on shift, location, and pay to avoid a poor fit. Medical Solutions suits a nurse who wants a large agency with many options and is comfortable managing the recruiter relationship actively.

Trusted Health takes a technology-led approach to travel nursing. Nurses can browse jobs, see pay ranges, and match to assignments through a modern platform, with support from a nurse-led team. That transparency helps a nurse compare jobs without waiting for a recruiter to send each listing by email, and it suits nurses who prefer to research independently first.

Trusted is younger than AMN or Cross Country, and its facility network, while growing, may not match the oldest agencies in every region. Pay still depends on specialty, location, and demand, so platform clarity does not remove the need to check hours, housing, and benefits. For a tech-comfortable nurse who wants to browse first and talk second, Trusted is a fresh option.

Nomad Health runs a marketplace where nurses can view jobs, pay details, and facility information directly, rather than relying solely on a recruiter to present options. That transparency appeals to nurses who want to compare several offers side by side and apply to the jobs that fit their preferences. Nomad also staffs allied health and other clinical roles alongside nursing.

The marketplace model works best for self-directed nurses. A nurse who wants a recruiter to call facilities, negotiate, and manage every step may prefer a traditional agency such as TNAA or Host. Job volume also varies by region and specialty, so check Nomad alongside a larger agency for a specific search. For a nurse who values visible pay and direct comparison, Nomad is worth including.