Nobody in staffing wants you to read this
So obviously, you should.
Let's start with a number: $9,000
That's what agencies take from a typical 13-week travel assignment. Not the number they'll tell you — they'll say “single digits” or “industry standard.” But the math doesn't lie.
On a 13-week assignment where the hospital pays $90/hr, the agency keeps roughly $9,000of what should be your money. That's $692 per week. Gone.
The Reality
What agencies actually do for that money:
- Find a job posting (takes minutes)
- Match you to it (you could do this yourself)
- Handle compliance (~$700 at cost)
- Process payroll (standard payroll service)
- Provide “support” (a recruiter who texts you)
Total cost to deliver these services? Around $3,000. The rest is margin.
The “competitive pay” illusion
Ever notice that no agency shows you the bill rate? There's a reason. If you saw what the hospital actually pays, you'd see exactly how much the agency is taking. Instead, they show you a “pay package” and call it competitive.
Competitive with what? Other agencies taking the same percentage? That's not competition. That's a cartel dressed up in scrubs.
Why recruiters don't want you self-serving
A good recruiter manages 30-50 travelers. At $9,000 per placement, that's $270,000-450,000 in gross profit per recruiter per cycle. The agency needs you to believe that a recruiter adds enough value to justify that cost.
If you've done 2+ assignments, you know the truth. You know your specialty. You know what locations work. You know the compliance process. What exactly is the recruiter doing that's worth $9,000 of your money?
What Bypass actually is
Bypass is the honest version of travel staffing. We charge $3,000 flat per assignment — that covers placement, compliance, payroll, insurance, everything. One number. No add-ons. Enough to run a real operation with a reasonable margin. Not enough to buy a boat.
We show you the bill rate. We show you the math. We show you exactly what you keep. If that scares other agencies, good. It should.
Simple Math
Agency cost per assignment
$9,000
Bypass cost per assignment
$3,000
Flat. Everything included.
Who this isn't for
If you're brand new to travel and want someone holding your hand through every step, a traditional agency might be right for you. Recruiters provide real value for first-timers.
But if you've done this before — if you know how it works and you're tired of watching thousands of dollars disappear from every assignment — Bypass was built for you.
The bottom line
You're the one with the license. You're the one working 36+ hours a week at the bedside. You're the one the hospital is paying for.
You should keep what you earn.