CNA Travel Agencies (2025 Guide) | Pay, Requirements & How to Start

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Travel CNA jobs are becoming one of the most flexible and highest-paying ways for Certified Nursing Assistants to build a career. Whether you want higher weekly pay, short-term contracts, new locations, or a break from traditional facility work, travel CNA agencies can help you get there. This guide explains how CNA travel staffing works, what agencies look for, pay expectations, requirements, and how to get started.

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🧭 What Is a Travel CNA?

A travel CNA is a Certified Nursing Assistant who accepts short-term assignments—usually 4 to 13 weeks—at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or rehabilitation centers across different cities or states. Instead of applying directly to the facility, CNAs work through a staffing agency that handles placement, scheduling, and weekly pay.

💼 How CNA Travel Agencies Work

Travel agencies match CNAs with facilities that need temporary help due to staffing shortages, seasonal demand, or rapid growth. Agencies:

Handle your job placement
Provide weekly pay
Arrange housing stipends (sometimes)
Offer short-term or long-term contracts
May reimburse travel or certification costs

Because CNAs move from contract to contract, they can choose when and where they want to work.

💰 Travel CNA Pay

Travel CNA pay varies by state and contract, but it is often higher than traditional CNA roles.

Average weekly pay: $700–$1,200
High-demand locations: up to $1,400+ per week
Overtime rates: higher on short-staffed contracts

Facilities pay agencies premium rates to fill temporary staffing needs, and CNAs benefit from that demand.

📍 Common Travel CNA Locations

Hospitals
Assisted living facilities
Nursing homes
Inpatient rehab centers
Long-term care centers

📋 Requirements to Become a Travel CNA

Requirements vary by agency, but most expect:

An active CNA license
6+ months of experience (some require 1 year)
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
A clean background check
Up-to-date immunizations

If you are licensed in one state and want to work in another, you may need CNA reciprocity depending on state rules.

🏡 Housing & Travel Stipends

Some agencies offer:

Free shared housing
Housing stipends
Travel reimbursement

Policies vary—always confirm before signing a contract.

🏢 Best CNA Travel Agencies

Although availability changes, these well-known national agencies frequently hire travel CNAs:

Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Maxim Healthcare Staffing
Aya Healthcare (select markets)
Cross Country Allied
Vital Workforce Solutions

You are never locked into one agency—you can sign with multiple to find better contracts.

🚀 How to Become a Travel CNA

Get certified as a CNA
Gain at least 6–12 months of work experience
Apply to 2–3 reputable staffing agencies
Upload your credentials
Select assignments based on pay and location
Start your contract and get paid weekly

🔗 Helpful Links

❓ FAQ

Do travel CNAs make more money?
Yes. Travel CNAs often earn higher weekly pay due to staffing shortages and premium contracts.

Do I need experience?
Most agencies prefer at least 6 months, but some require one full year.

Can I choose my location?
Yes—CNAs can select assignments based on pay, location, and schedule.

Is housing included?
Some agencies offer housing or stipends, but it varies by contract.