This guide breaks down the best travel nursing agencies in the US known for competitive pay, strong benefits, and reliable support — helping you make an informed decision before signing your next contract.
What Makes a Travel Nursing Agency High Paying?
Before comparing agencies, it's important to understand what actually drives higher earnings. The best-paying travel nursing agencies typically offer:
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Strong hospital partnerships in high-demand locations
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Transparent pay packages with competitive stipends
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Access to crisis and rapid-response contracts
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Flexible housing and meal allowance options
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Negotiation-friendly recruiters
High weekly pay often comes from a balanced combination of hourly rate, housing allowance, and bonuses — not just the base wage.
Top Travel Nursing Agencies Known for High Pay
Aya Healthcare
Aya Healthcare is one of the largest and most well-known travel nursing agencies in the country.
Why nurses choose Aya:
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Wide range of high-paying assignments nationwide
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Excellent crisis and short-notice contract opportunities
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Modern job search platform with real-time pay visibility
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Competitive housing and meal stipends
Aya is often preferred by experienced travel nurses looking for consistent top-tier pay and flexibility.
FlexCare Medical Staffing
FlexCare Medical Staffing focuses heavily on transparency and nurse advocacy.
Highlights:
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Pay packages clearly broken down before acceptance
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Strong presence in high-demand hospital systems
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Dedicated recruiter support with fast onboarding
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Frequent premium-paying contracts
FlexCare is ideal for nurses who want clear compensation details without surprises.
Trusted Health
Trusted Health operates with a tech-driven, recruiter-light model that appeals to independent nurses.
Why it stands out:
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Fewer middlemen means higher take-home potential
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Pay details visible upfront
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Flexible contract selection through a mobile app
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Strong emphasis on nurse control and transparency
Trusted Health works especially well for tech-savvy nurses comfortable managing parts of the process themselves.
Host Healthcare
Host Healthcare is known for combining competitive pay with strong benefits.
Key advantages:
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Solid weekly pay rates across multiple specialties
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Free private housing options or generous stipends
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Health insurance starting on day one
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Personalized recruiter support
Host Healthcare is a good choice for nurses seeking both financial stability and benefits.
Cross Country Nurses
Cross Country Nurses has decades of experience and a massive job network.
What they offer:
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Access to exclusive hospital contracts
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Competitive pay for specialized roles
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Assignment variety including local and short-term options
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Strong compliance and credentialing support
This agency works well for nurses looking for long-term consistency and nationwide reach.
Highest Paying Travel Nursing Specialties
Your specialty plays a major role in how much you earn. Agencies tend to offer higher pay for nurses in areas such as:
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Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
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Emergency Room (ER)
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Operating Room (OR)
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Labor and Delivery
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Telemetry
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Cath Lab
Nurses with multiple certifications or years of experience often qualify for premium contracts.
How to Maximize Pay With Any Agency
Even the best agency won't guarantee top earnings unless you approach contracts strategically.
Tips to increase your pay:
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Compare offers from at least two agencies
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Be flexible with location and start dates
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Ask about bonuses and stipend adjustments
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Consider shorter or rapid-response assignments
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Maintain certifications that qualify you for specialized roles
Negotiation is common in travel nursing, and agencies expect experienced nurses to ask questions.
Common Mistakes Nurses Make When Choosing an Agency
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Focusing only on hourly rate instead of total compensation
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Ignoring housing and meal allowances
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Not asking about contract cancellation policies
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Working with only one recruiter
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Overlooking tax implications
Avoiding these mistakes helps protect both income and job security.
Is Working With Multiple Agencies a Good Idea?
Yes. Many high-earning travel nurses maintain profiles with two or three agencies. This allows you to:
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Compare pay for the same assignment
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Access exclusive job listings
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Negotiate more effectively
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Avoid gaps between contracts
Just be sure to keep your paperwork and availability organized.
The best travel nursing agencies for high pay are those that combine strong hospital contracts, transparent compensation, and flexible support. While agencies like Aya Healthcare, FlexCare, Trusted Health, Host Healthcare, and Cross Country Nurses consistently rank among top choices, the best option ultimately depends on your specialty, experience, and personal preferences.
Taking time to compare agencies and understand full pay packages can easily translate into thousands of dollars more per contract.
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