Top Healthcare Recruiting Firms for 2025: Our Official Ranking

Healthcare careers are in high demand, but getting hired isn't always easy. If you're wrapping up nursing school, training as a medical assistant, or just earned your license, you've probably noticed how crowded the job market feels. Everyone's applying to the same hospitals, and most entry-level roles disappear fast.

That's why working with the top healthcare recruiting firms can give you an edge. These agencies focus on placing new grads in roles that match their training, preferences, and goals. Whether you're looking for a local job or a travel contract, a good recruiter will guide you through the process, help with paperwork, and keep things moving. It's one of the fastest ways to land real experience after school.

Why Use a Healthcare Recruiting Firm?

Healthcare is one of the toughest industries to break into without help. Employers want candidates with specific training, licenses, and experience. But what if you're new and still figuring out your place?

Healthcare recruiters can speed up the process. They know which employers are hiring and what they're really looking for. A good recruiter won't just forward your resume. They'll prep you for interviews, help with certifications, and keep you in the loop about contract terms.

These firms also open doors to travel assignments, short-term roles, and full-time positions that never make it to public job boards. For students and recent grads, that kind of access can make a huge difference.

Criteria for Ranking Top Healthcare Recruiting Firms

There are a lot of staffing firms out there, but not all of them are equal. To build this list, the team at SkillHub analyzed real user reviews, placement success rates, specialties, and how each agency supports new grads.

If you're wondering how this compares to other lists with the top 10 healthcare staffing agencies, this ranking focuses more on firms that actively engage with students and early-career professionals.

Here's what we looked for:

• Specialization in key roles (nurses, techs, assistants, therapists, etc.)
• Support services, like resume help or licensing assistance
• Placement rates and how fast candidates land jobs
• Transparency in pay, contract terms, and communication
• Geographic range, including travel, rural, and urban roles
• Student-friendliness, such as willingness to place new grads

We also looked at how responsive each firm was during the application process. Some agencies left applicants hanging for weeks, while others followed up within a day or two. That kind of communication matters when you're juggling exams, license prep, and job searches all at once. Firms that kept candidates informed, even if there were delays, ranked higher, especially for students who are navigating this system for the first time.

The 7 Top Healthcare Recruiting Firms of 2025

1. Aya Healthcare

Aya stands out for its tech-forward approach and focus on travel assignments. Its app is one of the most intuitive in the field, letting you apply, manage documents, and chat with your recruiter all in one place.

What students love most is that Aya actively places first-time travelers and recent grads. You can filter by location, pay, and shift length, and it helps with housing, too.

Aya is also one of the few agencies offering personalized feedback on your resume, almost like having a medical resume writer in-house. Its onboarding process is smooth, and its recruiters actually answer emails.

2. AMN Healthcare

AMN is huge, but that's not a bad thing. It covers nearly every specialty and location, and it's great at matching people to the right contracts.

While AMN works with a lot of experienced clinicians, it has ramped up efforts to attract new talent. AMN has partnerships with several universities and often runs student job fairs.

What makes AMN different is its network. Once you're in, you stay on its radar for better jobs down the line. If you're open to relocating or trying multiple states, this firm can help you build your resume fast.

3. Cross Country Healthcare

Cross Country is a solid pick if you want a mix of travel and local roles. It has deep connections with hospitals across the U.S., and it is one of the few firms that actively invest in career development.

Cross Country Healthcare even offers free CEU (Continuing Education Units) credits for some placements. That's useful if you're still building up medical assistant skills and duties and want to keep learning on the job.

The firm also works with allied health professionals, not just nurses. If you're a speech therapist, sonographer, or physical therapy grad, you'll find options here.

4. CHG Healthcare

CHG is the parent company of well-known brands like CompHealth and Weatherby Healthcare. It has serious experience with physician, NP, and PA placements, but it also handles a growing number of nurse and tech assignments.

What stands out here is its recruiter training. CHG's team is known for being proactive and transparent. It walks you through each step without pressuring you into bad-fit roles.

If you're into travel contracts or want to work in underserved areas, CHG is worth checking out. Its onboarding team is especially helpful for licensing and compliance paperwork.

5. Maxim Healthcare Services

Maxim is one of the few firms that still place people in school settings and home healthcare. That makes it a great option if you're looking for something flexible or want to gain experience before diving into hospital work.

It is also known for helping students transition into full-time roles after internships or clinical rotations. Maxim recruiters often have healthcare backgrounds themselves, so they understand what it's like starting out.

For those interested in admin roles or tech, Maxim's team of healthcare IT recruiters has also grown in recent years. This is a smart move as digital systems expand in hospitals and clinics.

6. Medix

Medix doesn't just recruit. It focuses on career coaching, especially for students. The firm hosts workshops, resume clinics, and mock interviews with real feedback.

It also covers a broader range of roles, from medical assistants to lab techs and administrative staff. The recruiters get to know you before throwing you into random job openings.

If you're someone who needs guidance choosing between hospital, clinic, or private practice settings, Medix is a strong pick. It will walk you through every option and give honest advice.

Its parent company also runs a healthcare HR consultancy, which helps hospitals structure better work environments. This means Medix knows what kind of jobs actually respect your time and effort.

7. Triage Staffing

Triage is a smaller agency compared to the giants, but that's part of the appeal. It is super hands-on, and its recruiters are known for being honest about pay, job duties, and contract terms.

Triage Staffing focuses on allied health and travel nursing, but you'll also find radiology tech and lab openings. Triage doesn't promise the moon, but it delivers consistently and doesn't ghost you after you apply.

The job listings are updated often, and the website is simple but effective. For new grads who want a straight path into healthcare, this firm keeps things real.

‍

Final Thoughts

If you're stepping into the healthcare field, choosing the right recruiting firm can fast-track your career. The agencies above each offer something different, from personal coaching to broad national networks, and they all support students and early-career professionals in meaningful ways.

Whether you're aiming for travel gigs, local shifts, or tech-based roles, the right recruiter will help you grow. Use this list to explore your options, and don't hesitate to reach out to the one that fits your goals.