Staffing Employment Flat in Second Quarter, but Sales Gained

From 1Q25 to 2Q25: Employment Down 0.4%, Sales Up 1.5%

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. staffing companies employed an average of just under two million temporary and contract workers per week in the second quarter of 2025, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association—down by 8,300 from the first quarter.

On a quarter-to-quarter basis, temporary and contract staffing employment and sales typically decline in the first quarter, grow in subsequent quarters, and peak in the fourth quarter.

Although the slight decline in staffing employment (–0.4%) in the second quarter bucked this trend, this was counterbalanced by growth in staffing sales (1.5%), suggesting the industry is adapting to adverse economic conditions by finding growth with relatively reduced headcount. 

Totaling $28.5 billion in the first quarter of 2025, staffing sales were down 8.0% from the second quarter of 2024—the smallest year-to-year decline since the first quarter of 2023.

"In the second quarter, ongoing concerns about the economy, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions resulted in employers continuing to drag their feet in adding headcount. Staffing firms are helping organizations navigate through ongoing uncertainty by providing consultative, flexible employment services and solutions." said Richard Wahlquist, ASA chief executive officer. "In the current environment, job seekers need to embrace multitiered strategies to differentiate themselves from other candidates looking for similar employment opportunities."

To learn more about the quarterly ASA Staffing Employment and Sales Survey, visit americanstaffing.net/quarterly-survey, or follow ASA research on Twitter.

About the American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net.

CONTACT: Megan Sweeney, msweeney@americanstaffing.net

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SOURCE American Staffing Association