Agency Comparison
Aya vs. TNAA: Which Travel Nurse Agency Pays More in 2025?
When choosing a travel nurse agency, two names consistently come up: Aya Healthcare and TNAA (Total Nurse Staffing & Consulting). Both are major players in the travel nursing industry, but which one offers better pay, benefits, and contract opportunities? This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
📋 Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: Aya Healthcare vs. TNAA
- Detailed Pay Comparison
- Benefits Comparison
- Contract Availability and Opportunities
- Recruiter Support and Communication
- Which Agency Should You Choose?
- Real-World Examples
- Bottom Line
Quick Comparison: Aya Healthcare vs. TNAA {#quick-comparison}
| Factor | Aya Healthcare | TNAA |
|---|---|---|
| Average Weekly Pay | $2,200-3,000/week | $2,100-2,900/week |
| Blended Hourly Rate | $55-75/hour | $52-72/hour |
| Benefits Package | Comprehensive | Standard |
| Contract Volume | Very High (5,000+ contracts) | High (2,000+ contracts) |
| Recruiter Support | 24/7 support | Business hours |
| Specialty Focus | All specialties | All specialties |
| 401(k) Matching | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty Program | Yes (Aya Rewards) | No |
Detailed Pay Comparison: Aya vs. TNAA {#detailed-pay-comparison}
Aya Healthcare Pay Structure
Aya Healthcare Pay Rates
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,200-3,000 (varies by specialty and location)
- Blended Hourly Rate: $55-75/hour (includes taxable wages + tax-free stipends)
- Stipend Structure: Competitive GSA-based rates, typically $1,200-1,800/week combined
- Overtime: Available on most contracts, typically 1.5x base rate
- Specialty Premiums: Higher rates for ICU, ER, OR, and other high-demand specialties
- Location Premiums: Additional pay for high-cost areas like California, New York, Massachusetts
- Taxable Hourly Rate: $50/hr × 36 hours = $1,800/week
- Housing Stipend: $1,200/week (tax-free)
- Meal Stipend: $400/week (tax-free)
- Total Weekly Pay: $3,400
- Blended Rate: $94.44/hour
TNAA Pay Structure
TNAA Pay Rates
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,100-2,900 (varies by specialty and location)
- Blended Hourly Rate: $52-72/hour (includes taxable wages + tax-free stipends)
- Stipend Structure: Standard GSA rates, typically $1,100-1,700/week combined
- Overtime: Limited availability, varies by contract
- Specialty Premiums: Standard premiums for high-demand specialties
- Location Premiums: Competitive rates for high-cost areas
- Taxable Hourly Rate: $48/hr × 36 hours = $1,728/week
- Housing Stipend: $1,100/week (tax-free)
- Meal Stipend: $400/week (tax-free)
- Total Weekly Pay: $3,228
- Blended Rate: $89.67/hour
Winner: Aya Healthcare typically offers slightly higher pay rates ($100-200/week more on average), especially for high-demand specialties and locations. However, the difference may be minimal depending on your specific contract negotiation.
Benefits Comparison: Aya vs. TNAA {#benefits-comparison}
Aya Healthcare Benefits Package
Comprehensive Benefits
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage (starts day 1)
- 401(k) Plan: Company matching up to 4% of salary
- Continuing Education: Free CEUs and professional development
- Travel Reimbursement: Up to $1,000 for assignment-related travel
- Referral Bonuses: $500-1,000 per successful referral
- Loyalty Rewards Program: Aya Rewards - earn points for assignments, referrals, and milestones
- License Reimbursement: Up to $500 per assignment
- Housing Assistance: Free housing placement service
- 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock recruiter and clinical support
TNAA Benefits Package
Standard Benefits
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) Plan: Company matching available
- Continuing Education: CEU credits available
- Travel Reimbursement: Standard travel assistance
- Referral Program: Referral bonuses available
- License Reimbursement: Available for qualifying assignments
- Housing Assistance: Housing placement support
- Support: Business hours support with on-call availability
Winner: Aya Healthcare offers more comprehensive benefits, including the unique Aya Rewards loyalty program and 24/7 support. However, both agencies provide solid benefit packages.
Contract Availability and Opportunities {#contract-availability}
Aya Healthcare Contract Network
Extensive Network
Aya Healthcare has one of the largest networks in the travel nursing industry:
- 5,000+ active contracts across all 50 states
- Strong relationships with major hospital systems (HCA, Tenet, Ascension, etc.)
- High volume of contracts in high-paying states (California, New York, Massachusetts, Washington)
- Excellent coverage in all specialties (ICU, ER, OR, Med-Surg, L&D, NICU, etc.)
- Rapid placement times (often within 24-48 hours)
- Multiple contract options per location for better negotiation
TNAA Contract Network
Strong Regional Network
TNAA has a solid network with a focus on quality placements:
- 2,000+ active contracts nationwide
- Strong relationships with regional hospital systems
- Good coverage in major markets
- All specialties available, with strong focus on certain regions
- Quality over quantity approach to placements
- Personalized matching with facilities
Winner: Aya Healthcare for contract volume and variety. TNAA for specialized, personalized placements.
Recruiter Support and Communication {#recruiter-support}
Aya Healthcare Support
- 24/7 Availability: Round-the-clock recruiter and clinical support
- Dedicated Recruiter: One primary recruiter assigned to you
- Mobile App: Aya Connect app for easy communication and job searching
- Clinical Support: 24/7 clinical support line for on-assignment issues
- Rapid Response: Quick response times to questions and concerns
TNAA Support
- Business Hours: Primary support during business hours
- Dedicated Recruiter: Personal recruiter assigned to you
- On-Call Support: After-hours support available for emergencies
- Personalized Service: More personalized, relationship-focused approach
- Direct Communication: Easy access to your recruiter
Winner: Aya Healthcare for 24/7 availability. TNAA for personalized, relationship-focused service.
Which Agency Should You Choose? {#which-agency}
Choose Aya Healthcare If:
- ✅ You want maximum pay potential
- ✅ You need more contract options and flexibility
- ✅ You value comprehensive benefits and loyalty rewards
- ✅ You prefer a larger agency with extensive resources
- ✅ You want 24/7 support availability
- ✅ You're looking for rapid placement times
- ✅ You want access to a mobile app for job searching
Choose TNAA If:
- ✅ You prefer a more personalized, relationship-focused experience
- ✅ You're looking for specific facility types or regions
- ✅ You want a smaller agency feel with dedicated attention
- ✅ You value quality placements over quantity
- ✅ You're comfortable with business hours support
- ✅ You prefer working with a regional-focused agency
Real-World Examples: Aya vs. TNAA Contracts {#real-world-examples}
Example 1: ICU Travel Nurse in California
| Factor | Aya Healthcare | TNAA |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable Hourly Rate | $58/hr | $56/hr |
| Weekly Taxable Income | $2,088 (36 hrs) | $2,016 (36 hrs) |
| Housing Stipend | $1,400/week | $1,300/week |
| Meal Stipend | $500/week | $500/week |
| Total Weekly Pay | $3,988 | $3,816 |
| Blended Hourly Rate | $110.78/hr | $106.00/hr |
| 13-Week Total | $51,844 | $49,608 |
| Difference | Aya pays $2,236 more over 13 weeks | |
Bottom Line: Aya vs. TNAA {#bottom-line}
Both Aya Healthcare and TNAA are reputable, well-established travel nurse agencies that pay well and provide good support. Here’s the final verdict:
- For Maximum Pay: Choose Aya Healthcare (typically $100-200/week more)
- For More Contracts: Choose Aya Healthcare (5,000+ vs. 2,000+ contracts)
- For Better Benefits: Choose Aya Healthcare (more comprehensive package + loyalty program)
- For Personalized Service: Choose TNAA (more relationship-focused approach)
- For 24/7 Support: Choose Aya Healthcare
The best choice depends on your priorities. If you want maximum pay potential, more contract options, and comprehensive benefits, Aya Healthcare is the better choice. If you prefer a more personalized, relationship-focused experience with quality placements, TNAA may be a better fit.
Next Steps: Compare Your Options
Ready to Calculate Your Potential Earnings?
Use our Travel Nurse Pay Calculator to compare your potential earnings with each agency's typical rates. Factor in your specialty, desired location, and experience level to see which agency offers better compensation for your situation.
Related Resources:
- Compare Contracts Tool - Side-by-side contract comparison
- State Pay Guides - See pay rates by state
- Contract Negotiation Guide - Learn how to negotiate better pay
- Agency Margins Explained - Understand how agencies structure pay
Related Articles:
- Fastaff vs. American Traveler: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison
- Host Healthcare vs. Nomad Health: Travel Nurse Agency Showdown
- How to Negotiate Travel Nurse Contracts
- Understanding Travel Nurse Agency Margins
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