Agency Comparison
Fastaff vs. American Traveler: Travel Nurse Agency Comparison 2025
Fastaff and American Traveler are both well-established travel nurse agencies, but they serve different niches. Fastaff focuses on high-acuity specialties (ICU, ER, OR) with premium pay, while American Traveler offers broader coverage across all specialties. This comprehensive comparison helps you choose the right agency for your specialty and career goals.
Quick Comparison: Fastaff vs. American Traveler
| Factor | Fastaff | American Traveler |
|---|---|---|
| Average Weekly Pay | $2,300-3,200/week | $2,200-3,000/week |
| Blended Hourly Rate | $58-80/hour | $55-75/hour |
| Specialty Focus | ICU, ER, OR (high-acuity) | All Specialties |
| Benefits Package | Comprehensive | Standard |
| Contract Volume | High (specialty-focused) | Very High (all specialties) |
| Recruiter Support | Specialty-focused recruiters | General recruiters |
| Overtime Availability | Readily available | Available |
| Best For | High-acuity specialty nurses | All specialty nurses |
Detailed Pay Comparison
Fastaff Pay Structure
Premium Pay for High-Acuity Specialties
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,300-3,200 (varies by specialty and location)
- Blended Hourly Rate: $58-80/hour (includes taxable wages + tax-free stipends)
- Specialty Premiums: Higher rates for ICU, ER, OR, and other high-acuity specialties
- Overtime: Readily available on most contracts, typically 1.5x base rate
- Location Premiums: Additional pay for high-demand areas
- Experience Premiums: Higher rates for experienced travelers
- Taxable Hourly Rate: $65/hr × 36 hours = $2,340/week
- Housing Stipend: $1,500/week (tax-free)
- Meal Stipend: $500/week (tax-free)
- Total Weekly Pay: $4,340
- Blended Rate: $120.56/hour
American Traveler Pay Structure
Competitive Pay Across All Specialties
- Average Weekly Pay: $2,200-3,000 (varies by specialty and location)
- Blended Hourly Rate: $55-75/hour (includes taxable wages + tax-free stipends)
- Specialty Premiums: Standard premiums across all specialties
- Overtime: Available, varies by contract
- Location Premiums: Competitive rates for high-demand areas
- Experience Premiums: Standard increases for experience
- Taxable Hourly Rate: $60/hr × 36 hours = $2,160/week
- Housing Stipend: $1,400/week (tax-free)
- Meal Stipend: $500/week (tax-free)
- Total Weekly Pay: $4,060
- Blended Rate: $112.78/hour
Winner: Fastaff typically offers higher pay, especially for high-acuity specialties (ICU, ER, OR). American Traveler offers competitive rates across all specialties.
Benefits Comparison
Fastaff Benefits Package
Comprehensive Benefits
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- 401(k) Plan: Company matching available
- Continuing Education: Free CEUs and professional development
- Travel Reimbursement: Assignment-related travel assistance
- Referral Bonuses: Available for successful referrals
- License Reimbursement: Up to $500 per assignment
- Housing Assistance: Housing placement support
- Specialty Support: Specialty-focused recruiters and resources
American Traveler 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
- General Support: Recruiter support for all specialties
Winner: Fastaff may offer slightly better benefits for experienced travelers, especially in high-acuity specialties. Both agencies provide solid benefit packages.
Contract Availability Comparison
Fastaff Contract Network
High-Acuity Specialty Focus
- Contract Volume: High volume in ICU, ER, OR specialties
- Specialty Focus: Primarily high-acuity specialties with premium pay
- Facility Relationships: Strong relationships with major hospital systems
- Geographic Coverage: Nationwide, with focus on high-demand areas
- Contract Quality: Premium contracts for experienced specialty nurses
- Rapid Placement: Quick placement for qualified specialty nurses
American Traveler Contract Network
Broad Specialty Coverage
- Contract Volume: Very high volume across all specialties
- Specialty Focus: All specialties (ICU, ER, OR, Med-Surg, L&D, NICU, etc.)
- Facility Relationships: Extensive network of facilities nationwide
- Geographic Coverage: Nationwide coverage in all 50 states
- Contract Quality: Competitive contracts across all specialties
- Rapid Placement: Quick placement for all specialties
Winner: American Traveler for contract volume and variety. Fastaff for high-acuity specialty focus and premium pay.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Fastaff If:
- ✅ You work in ICU, ER, or OR (high-acuity specialties)
- ✅ You want maximum pay potential
- ✅ You prefer higher-acuity assignments
- ✅ You want specialty-focused recruiter support
- ✅ You're an experienced traveler in high-acuity specialties
- ✅ You want premium contracts with higher pay
Choose American Traveler If:
- ✅ You want more contract options across all specialties
- ✅ You work in various specialties (not just high-acuity)
- ✅ You prefer a larger agency network
- ✅ You want broader geographic coverage
- ✅ You're a newer travel nurse or exploring different specialties
- ✅ You want competitive pay across all specialties
Real-World Example: ICU Travel Nurse
13-Week Assignment Comparison
Scenario: ICU travel nurse with 5 years experience, assignment in California.
| Factor | Fastaff | American Traveler |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable Hourly Rate | $65/hr | $60/hr |
| Weekly Taxable Income | $2,340 (36 hrs) | $2,160 (36 hrs) |
| Housing Stipend | $1,500/week | $1,400/week |
| Meal Stipend | $500/week | $500/week |
| Total Weekly Pay | $4,340 | $4,060 |
| Blended Hourly Rate | $120.56/hr | $112.78/hr |
| 13-Week Total | $56,420 | $52,780 |
| Difference | Fastaff pays $3,640 more over 13 weeks | |
Bottom Line: Fastaff vs. American Traveler
Final Recommendation
Fastaff offers higher pay for specialty nurses in high-acuity areas (ICU, ER, OR), while American Traveler provides more opportunities across all specialties.
- Choose Fastaff if: You work in ICU, ER, or OR and want maximum pay potential. Fastaff specializes in high-acuity specialties and offers premium contracts.
- Choose American Traveler if: You want more contract options across all specialties, prefer a larger agency network, or work in specialties beyond high-acuity areas.
Next Steps: Compare Your Options
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:
- Aya vs. TNAA: Which Travel Nurse Agency Pays More?
- Host Healthcare vs. Nomad Health: Travel Nurse Agency Showdown
- How to Negotiate Travel Nurse Contracts
- Understanding Travel Nurse Agency Margins
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