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This is a great question because the "best" agency often depends on where you want to go, what specialty you work in, and what you value most (pay, benefits, housing support, or schedule flexibility).

Here are the top 5 travel nursing agencies consistently rated highly by active travelers, along with what makes each stand out.

1. Aya Healthcare (The Industry Giant)

Best for: Job availability, tech support, and large hospital system contracts.

• Why travelers use it: Aya has the most jobs. They have exclusive contracts with major hospital systems (HCA, Kaiser, etc.), meaning you often get first pick for shifts. They also have a very smooth onboarding process, a great mobile app, and strong 401(k) matching.
• Potential downside: Because they are so large, recruiters can be less personal. Pay rates can be slightly lower than boutique agencies for very specialized skills.
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5 on Glassdoor)

2. Trusted Health (The Tech-First Modern Choice)

Best for: Transparency, speed of payment, and high pay rates for specific locations.

• Why travelers use it: This is the "Uber of travel nursing." You see the exact pay package (including stipends) before you apply. They have no recruiter middleman for most tasks; you manage everything via their app. This often leads to higher take-home pay because their overhead is lower.
• Potential downside: You have to be a self-starter. Less hand-holding. They have fewer jobs than Aya, so not ideal if you want to go to very rural areas.
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.7/5 on Trustpilot)

3. Nomad Health (The Pay Transparency Leader)

Best for: Maximizing hourly pay and avoiding recruiter games.

• Why travelers use it: Like Trusted, Nomad is a digital marketplace. You see the full rate. They also offer "Expedited Credentialing" to get you started fast. They are notorious for having the highest hourly rates for crisis contracts (e.g., COVID, flu season).
• Potential downside: Minimal support if you have a problem at the facility. Benefits (health insurance) are not as comprehensive as Aya's.
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (

Some of the best and most commonly used travel nursing agencies in 2026 include Aya Healthcare, Axis Medical Staffing, Fusion Medical Staffing, Host Healthcare, and AMN Healthcare, offering competitive pay, day-one benefits, and wide job placement options.

Best Overall Agencies

Aya Healthcare: Rated #1 overall, Aya has nearly 27,000 active travel nursing jobs, with day-one medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with match, licensure reimbursement, CEUs, and personalized support. It’s well-suited for nurses seeking maximum job options nationwide 1 . Axis Medical Staffing: Known for its specialty programs, including the Canadian Nurse Program and structured mentorship for new grads. Provides comprehensive benefits and strong recruiter guidance 1 . Fusion Medical Staffing: Recognized for its values-driven agency culture and nurse recognition programs like FuseClub Rewards and Traveling Hearts Award, perfect for travelers seeking engagement and acknowledgment 1 .

Agencies for Specialized Needs

Host Healthcare: Ranked highly for graduate nurses, offering day-one benefit coverage, student loan reimbursement, and exceptional communication with recruiters 1 . AMN Healthcare: Excellent for continuing education and professional development, offering discounts on tuition, a vast learning library, and career advancement opportunities 1 . Fastaff Travel Nursing: Best for pay transparency, with clear, WYSIWYG compensation and rapid-response assignments for urgent staffing needs 1 .

Agencies Valued for Experience or Stability

Travel Nurses, Inc. (TNI): One of the oldest independent agencies (since 1988), offering flexible contracts, PRN options, and competitive benefits, ideal for nurses seeking established, flexible agencies 1 . Medical Solutions: Strong growth and benefits transparency, also parent to Host Healthcare and Aureus Medical Group, offering consistent support across multiple brands 1 .

Additional Recommended Agencies

Other highly rated travel nursing agencies include NuWest (known for high reimbursements and telehealth support), Aya Healthcare’s secondary reference for flexible sick leave and CEUs, and Trusted Health (offering higher pay through a no-recruiter model but less personal support) Nurse.org .

Choosing the Right Agency

When selecting a travel nursing agency, consider:

Job volume and location options: Larger agencies like Aya provide more nationwide opportunities. Specialty support: Choose agencies with programs tailored to your specialty or experience level. Benefits and pay transparency: Check day-one health coverage, 401(k), PTO, and housing or stipend offers. Recruiter responsiveness and culture: Personal support can make assignment transitions smoother.

By comparing these factors, you can select an agency that aligns with your career priorities, lifestyle, and financial goals. Using multiple agencies is also common to maximize assignment options and flexibility Nurse.org+2 .