Staffing FAQ’s

  1. How big is the industry?
  2. How many companies use staffing services?
  3. How much has the staffing industry grown?
  4. What accounts for the growth of the industry?
  5. Do staffing firms charge employees a fee for temporary assignments?
  6. How long do people hold temporary jobs?
  7. What types of assignments do staffing companies offer?
  8. What are the trends in the kinds of jobs being assigned?
  9. How many staffing companies are there in the U.S.?
  10. What kind of pay and benefits do temporary and contract employees receive?
  11. What kinds of services do staffing companies provide?

1) How big is the industry?
The staffing industry generated more than $62 billion in revenue in 2003: $56 billion from temporary help services and $6 billion in permanent placement services.

2) How many companies use staffing services?
90% of companies use temporary help services.

3) How much has the staffing industry grown?
Average daily employment for temporary help services has increased at an average rate of 10% per year over the past seven years.

4) What accounts for the growth of the industry? top
America's work force is changing as more and more people are looking for the flexibility that temporary work provides. Companies are tapping into the flexible labor market to keep fully staffed during busy times.

5) Do staffing firms charge employees a fee for temporary assignments?
No.

6) How long do people hold temporary jobs?
While specific jobs may last from a few hours to several years, the best estimates for the average tenure of temporary and contract employees range from three to five months.

7) What types of assignments do staffing companies offer?
Jobs range from assembly line worker to CEO and are available in virtually all occupations.

8) What are the trends in the kinds of jobs being assigned?
The fastest growth is occurring in professional and technical occupations.

9) How many staffing companies are there in the U.S.? top
There are about 7,000 firms that have been in business a year or more. Those companies operate approximately 20,000 offices. ASA member companies operate more than 15,000 offices across the nation and account for 85% of U.S. industry sales.

10) What kind of pay and benefits do temporary and contract employees receive?
To attract the most qualified employees, staffing services offer highly competitive wages and benefits. The average temporary or contract employee earns more than $10 per hour. Some earn more than their permanent counterparts. Most staffing companies offer health insurance as well as vacation and holiday pay, and many offer retirement plans. Virtually any temporary or contract employee who wants benefits can find a staffing firm that offers them.

11) What kinds of services do staffing companies provide?
Staffing companies offer a wide range of services, including temporary and contract staffing, recruiting and placement, outsourcing, training, and human resources consulting.

Sources: American Staffing Association, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Omnicomp Group, the Conference Board