The Ultimate Guide to the Best Travel Nursing Companies of 2025

The allure of travel nursing—high pay, flexible schedules, and the chance to see the country (or the world!) - has never been stronger. But your success on the road hinges on one critical choice: your travel nursing company. Your agency is your partner, handling everything from payroll and insurance to finding your next contract. Choosing the wrong one can lead to stress, low pay, and poor assignments, while picking the best can elevate your career and personal life.

Picture: empowercare.us

The landscape is constantly shifting. What was the top-rated agency last year might have dropped in favor this year due to changes in recruiter support or pay package transparency. To help you navigate this complex market, we've compiled a data-driven guide to the best travel nursing companies for 2025, focusing on the factors that matter most to nurses: overall rating, recruiter quality, pay and benefits, and job volume.

The Top-Rated Travel Nursing Agencies of 2025

Based on recent aggregated reviews and industry data, several companies consistently rise to the top, praised by travelers for their exceptional support, high pay rates, and vast job selection.

Overall Top Performers for Traveler Satisfaction

These companies have earned their place at the top through consistent excellence across the board. They are highly recommended for both seasoned travelers and first-time adventurers.

• Axis Medical Staffing: Earning top marks for a relationship-first approach, Axis is frequently cited for treating its nurses like "Rock Stars." Travelers appreciate their dedicated talent scouts and streamlined, digital onboarding process.
• Skyline Med Staff: Ranked highly for 2025, Skyline Med Staff is celebrated for its excellent aggregate score and commitment to getting nurses access to a solid portion of available travel healthcare jobs.
• Travel Nurses, Inc. (TNI): As one of the only nurse-owned travel nursing agencies, TNI is praised for transparency, clear communication, and strong recruiter support. They offer one of the most comprehensive benefits packages, including day-one insurance and 401(k) enrollment.

Powerhouses for Job Volume and Market Reach

The size of an agency's network often translates directly to the quantity and variety of assignments you can access, sometimes including exclusive contracts at top facilities.

• Aya Healthcare: As the largest travel nursing agency in the U.S., Aya is the undisputed leader in job volume. Their sheer size means you can browse contracts in all 50 states, and their website is highly user-friendly for searching jobs and viewing pay packages.
• AMN Healthcare: Controlling a significant portion of the travel nurse market, AMN offers exclusive deals with many top-tier healthcare facilities. Nurses often commend their structured support and the vast array of available assignments.

The Criteria: What Makes a Travel Nursing Company the “Best”?

Choosing a company shouldn't be based on a single metric. The "best" company is the one that aligns most closely with your personal career and lifestyle goals.

Transparency and Highest Paying Travel Nursing Agencies

While no agency is consistently the absolute "highest paying" for every assignment, certain companies are known for negotiating premium rates and offering greater transparency in how your pay package is structured.

• Fastaff Travel Nursing: Often recognized as the highest-paying agency, especially for Rapid Response® and emergency assignments, Fastaff is a go-to for nurses prioritizing maximum compensation.
• Transparency is Key: The best companies, like Travel Nurses, Inc. and Host Healthcare, are often lauded for being upfront about the breakdown of your pay—including the hourly wage, the tax-free stipends for housing and meals, and bonuses—which is crucial for maximizing your take-home pay.

Support, Communication, and Benefits

The quality of your recruiter and the benefits package are often more important than the absolute highest pay, particularly for first-time travelers.

• Host Healthcare: Consistently ranked highly for its supportive, relationship-driven approach. Host is noted for offering excellent benefits, including matching 401(k) and day-one insurance that often includes 30 days of coverage between assignments—a huge perk.
• Fusion Medical Staffing: Highly regarded for its commitment to support and its dedicated Student Outreach Team, making it a favorite for new graduates looking to start their travel healthcare journey.
• TNAA (Travel Nurse Across America): A well-established company known for its comprehensive benefits, including paid sick leave that accrues from day one and 100% vesting for its 401(k) plan.

Specialty and Lifestyle Niches

Some agencies stand out by catering to specific specialties or unique traveler needs.

Best for New Travel Nurses (First-Time Travelers)

The process of starting your first assignment can be overwhelming. Agencies that offer high-touch support and mentorship are invaluable.

• Host Healthcare and TNAA are frequently recommended for new travelers due to their excellent support infrastructure, comprehensive onboarding, and easy-to-use platforms. Recruiters from these companies are often praised for their patience and guidance.

Best for Advanced Practice and Crisis Response

Nurses with specialized skills or those willing to take on high-acuity, rapid-response contracts can access premium pay and unique opportunities.

• Fastaff Travel Nursing and Krucial Rapid Response: These agencies specialize in high-need, high-stress assignments, which means they consistently offer some of the highest weekly pay rates, often exceeding $3,000–$4,000 per week.

Technology-Driven Agencies

For nurses who prefer a more streamlined, hands-off approach to job searching, technology-forward platforms offer a modern alternative to the traditional recruiter model.

• Trusted Health: This agency simplifies the job search and application process by using technology to remove the traditional recruiter intermediary, allowing nurses to browse jobs and manage applications directly.

Key Questions to Ask Your Potential Travel Nurse Agency

Before signing a contract, you should interview your agency as much as they interview you. Use this checklist to ensure you're making an informed decision:

1. Recruiter Relationship: Will I have a dedicated, single point of contact (e.g., FlexCare’s S1NGLEPOINT model)? How long has my recruiter been in the industry?
2. Pay Transparency: Can you provide a detailed breakdown of the hourly rate versus the stipends? What is your policy on floating and cancellation pay?
3. Benefits & Time Off: When do health, dental, and vision insurance start? (Day one is ideal). Do you offer coverage between contracts? What is the 401(k) match and vesting schedule?
4. Housing: Do you offer agency-provided housing, or is it a stipend? How is the stipend calculated, and is it a fair market rate for the area?
5. Licensure & Travel: Do you reimburse 100% of my licensing fees? Is travel to and from the assignment paid for or reimbursed?

Next Steps in Your Travel Nursing Journey

The travel nursing life offers unparalleled professional and personal growth. By partnering with one of the best travel nursing companies of 2025, you are setting yourself up for financial and career success. Do your research, talk to multiple recruiters, and read reviews on independent platforms to find the company that truly has your back.

Ready to take the next step?

Share this post