Staffing Stats

Average Hourly Earnings

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) March 7th report, the average hourly earnings for all employees in the United States rose to $35.93, up from $35.46 in November 2024. This average includes all industries, skills, and employee levels. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have risen 4%. 

Contract Staffing Employment

According to the American Staffing Association, contract staffing employment jobs for the four weeks ending 2/23/2025 were down 8.4% year over year with a staffing index of 83. In June of 2006 ASA established an index baseline of 100. ASA Economists predict staffing employment to contract by 6.1% in Q12025, and as the economy stabilizes, this will reverse. 

Temporary Help Penetration Rate

The temporary help penetration rate has historically been around 2% of total employment. In October of 2022, it dropped below 2% and has continued to decline.  

In September 2024, it dropped to 1.67%, and in February 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s hit a low of 1.59%

GDP Projection

According to BLS March 11^th report, the number of job openings is now at 7.7 million.

Job Openings

Categories of jobs with highest gains in employment

• Real Estate, Rental and Leasing –  6.4
• Accommodation and Food Services – 6.2
• Healthcare and Social Assistance – 6.0

See the full chart here.