Staffing Stats

Breaking Down the Latest Staffing and Hiring Trends

Contract Staffing Employment
According to the American Staffing Association, the Staffing Index moved to a value of 90 as staffing jobs increased 6.2% year-to-year averaged over the four weeks ending 6/28/2026. 

Where is the job growth?

Private education and health services, along with professional and business services led the job growth. 

Lay Off Data

June Layoffs

According to a report released July 1st^th from global outplacement and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, June layoffs cool to 45,849, down 53% from May.  June’s total is also down 4% from the 47,999 cuts announced in the same month last year.  Additionally, it marks the lowest monthly total since December 2025. 

Which industry cut the most in June 2026?

Technology again announced 15,503 job cuts in June.  For the year, Technology has announced 123,653 cuts. 

Why are Companies Cutting?

AI continues to lead all reasons for job eliminations, followed by market/economic conditions and then business closings.  

Click here for the full Challenger Report                                                                                                                                                                     

Job Growth

Jobs Added

BLS reports 57,000 jobs added in June while ADP reported 98,000 jobs added.   Why the difference? 

They each use different data sources, scope, and survey methodology.   BLS calculates the data using government jobs while ADP tracks only private-sector businesses.   The BLS uses actual payroll numbers to estimate total payroll, and they conduct heavy statistical modeling while ADP tracks a subset of its own clients aggregated and anonymized payrolls and weights the data to match the broader economy.   

Despite the differing numbers, we can draw a unified conclusion that job growth is cooling but not collapsing.   The US labor market remains structurally stable.  Both reports missed Wall Street’s expectations of roughly 110,000-115,000 new jobs. 

Labor Data

According to TED – The Economics Daily dated June 2026, current key US Labor Data stats include:

• US Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
• Job Openings: 7.6 million
• Average Hourly Earnings: $35.00 per hour
• Remote Work: 22% – 35% of people work remotely (hybrid or full time)

Geographical Growth Areas

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is growing in 8 metro areas, down in 4, and essentially unchanged in 375 other areas. 

What This Means for Your Staffing Agency

While employers remain cautious, they’re continuing to hire in key sectors and contract staffing demand continues to outpace last year.  

Here are 5 things to do this month to capitalize on today’s market:

• Double down on growth sectors. Healthcare, education, and professional services continue to lead hiring. If these aren’t already part of your niche, consider where your recruiting expertise can expand.
• Reconnect with inactive clients. Many companies that paused hiring earlier this year may be ready to fill critical positions. A simple check-in call can uncover new opportunities.
• Use layoff activity strategically. Technology has been hardest hit.  Experienced professionals entering the market can become strong candidates for clients in adjacent industries.
• Help clients hire with confidence. Employers are being more selective, which makes speed, market intelligence, and quality candidates even more valuable than simply filling orders.
• Stay close to your local market. National trends provide direction, but regional employment patterns can vary significantly. Understanding what’s happening in your geographic market will help you identify opportunities before your competitors do.