The Short Answer
Compare Vivian Health and Aya Healthcare for travel nurses. See which platform offers better pay, more jobs, and better user experience.
Read the full breakdown below for detailed analysis, examples, and actionable steps.
Vivian vs. Aya: Travel Nurse Job Platform Comparison
Vivian Health and Aya Healthcare represent two different approaches to travel nursing: a job marketplace platform vs. a full-service agency. Here’s how they compare based on current data.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Vivian Health | Aya Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Job Marketplace | Full-Service Agency |
| Average Weekly Pay | Varies by agency posted | $2,129–$3,448/week |
| Job Volume | Very High (multi-agency) | Very High (4,000+ jobs) |
| Support | Self-Service / Agency-dependent | Dedicated Recruiter + 24/7 support |
| Day-One Benefits | Depends on agency | Yes — medical, dental, vision |
| 401(k) | Depends on agency | Yes — eligible after 4 consecutive months; matching after 1 year (1,000 hrs) |
| Sick Pay | Depends on agency | Accrues from day one (1 hr per 30 hrs worked) |
| Overall Nurse Rating | N/A (marketplace) | ~4.1/5 (Glassdoor) |
Platform Model
Vivian Health: A job marketplace where multiple agencies post travel nursing jobs. You apply directly to positions from various agencies through one platform, making it easy to compare rates across agencies.
Aya Healthcare: A traditional full-service agency ranked #1 by nurses. Aya has dedicated recruiters, their own extensive hospital network, and a vertically integrated support system handling housing, licensing, and compliance.
Pay Comparison
Aya Healthcare’s current travel RN weekly pay ranges from $2,129 to $3,448/week (based on 2,910 open travel nurse jobs with 3×12 shifts as of early 2026), including taxable wages and tax-free expense reimbursements. Annual earnings can reach $78,535–$143,792.
Vivian Health aggregates jobs from multiple agencies, so rates vary widely. The benefit is transparency — you can compare packages side by side before applying.
Winner: Aya for consistent, well-documented pay packages. Vivian for maximum rate comparison across agencies.
Benefits
Aya Healthcare:
- Day-one medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) eligible after 4 consecutive months; employer matching after 1 year / 1,000 hours
- Sick time accrues from day one (1 hr per 30 hrs worked)
- Free CEUs through MedBridge (unlimited)
- Paid company housing (pets welcome) or generous housing stipend
- Licensure and relocation reimbursements
- 68% of nurses say they are paid fairly (Indeed Work Happiness survey)
Vivian Health: Benefits are entirely determined by whichever agency you work with through the platform. No standardized benefits.
Winner: Aya Healthcare for consistent, comprehensive benefits.
Support & Recruiter Experience
Aya Healthcare provides dedicated recruiter support plus credentialing experts, clinical support teams, and housing assistance. Nurses rate compensation and benefits at 4.1/5 on Glassdoor.
Vivian Health gives you a self-service search experience with transparency into job listings. Once you choose an agency through Vivian, that agency’s recruiter handles your contract.
Winner: Aya Healthcare for structured support. Vivian for upfront transparency.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Vivian Health if:
- You want to compare pay packages from multiple agencies side by side
- You prefer to research and negotiate independently
- You already know which agency you want to use and want to find their jobs quickly
Choose Aya Healthcare if:
- You want dedicated recruiter support and a single point of contact
- Day-one benefits and 401(k) matching are priorities
- You want a large volume of curated, high-paying contracts
- You value a top-rated agency (#1 ranked by nurses)
Bottom Line
Vivian Health is a powerful tool for rate comparison across agencies, while Aya Healthcare provides a complete, benefits-rich agency experience with one of the strongest support systems in the industry. Many experienced travelers use Vivian to scout the market, then work directly with Aya or another top agency once they identify the best fit. Use our travel nurse pay calculator to compare your potential earnings.
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