Is This Contract Good? Get It Graded.
Five numbers in, instant letter grade out — scored against real market data for your state and specialty, with a stipend ceiling check. Share the verdict with one link.
The question every travel group gets asked daily — answered with data instead of vibes.
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
What the Grades Mean
| Grade | vs Market | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| A- to A+ | 8%+ above market | Verify the stipend structure is clean, then sign. |
| B to B+ | Fair market (±5%) | One negotiation round usually moves this up a tier. |
| B- to C+ | 6–16% below market | Counter with a competing offer, or keep shopping. |
| C and below | 16%+ below market | Something is off — check the contract red flags list. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Contract Grade work?
We compare your offer's gross weekly value (taxable hourly × hours + stipends) against the expected market rate for that state and specialty — the state's average weekly pay scaled by the specialty's national pay differential. The ratio maps to a letter grade and percentile. We also check your stipend against the state's GSA-based weekly ceiling and flag tax-structure risks.
Is a B contract worth taking?
A B means you're at fair market value — not underpaid, but with nothing extra priced in. Most B contracts can become B+/A- with one round of negotiation, since recruiters expect a counter. Grade the offer, then use the negotiation ROI calculator to see what a $2-3/hr or $100/wk stipend bump is worth.
Why does my high-paying offer grade poorly?
Grades are relative to the market for that state and specialty. A $2,600/week ICU offer in California grades much lower than the same number in Alabama, because California ICU market rates are far higher. A big number in an expensive, high-paying market can still be a below-market offer.
Does the grade account for taxes and cost of living?
The grade compares gross weekly value and flags no-tax states as a bonus, but it doesn't model your personal tax situation or local rent. For true take-home, run the same numbers through the full pay calculator, and check the city's stipend margin in the GSA Rate Explorer.
Can I share my contract grade?
Yes — every grade generates a share link that reproduces the exact verdict for anyone who opens it, plus a copy-paste text summary formatted for Facebook groups, Reddit, or a text to a friend. No account needed and no contract details are stored on our servers; everything is encoded in the link itself.