Half of temporary workers say they worked remotely at least some of the time in 2023, according to a new report by Staffing Industry Analysts. However, some occupations with the highest use of remote work have seen it decline, while some segments with least use have seen it increase.

The North America Temporary Work Survey 2024 found that 51% of temporary workers worked remotely, with 36% saying they “worked an entire assignment remotely” and 15% saying they “worked an assignment partly remotely.” The remaining 49% did not work remotely.

Typically, higher paid workers and those in professional occupations had the highest rates of remote work. For example, among those making $60 or more per hour, 63% said they worked entire assignments remotely. In comparison, only 5% of those earning under $16 per hour did so. And only 18% of office and administrative support worked an entire assignment remotely.

On the other hand, the report found a trend with segments that have higher use of remote work seeing slight declines, while segments with lower use of remote work are seeing slight increases.

The computer/math segment and business/financial saw gradual declines in total use of remote work between 2020 and 2023. In the computer/math segment, 94% were working remotely full time or part time in 2020, while 86% were doing so in 2023.

On the other hand, among production workers — an occupation category with the lowest levels of remote work — remote work rose to 11% in 2023 from 8% in 2024.

The full report is available online to SIA corporate members.

The 2024 Temporary Worker Survey was conducted alongside Staffing Industry Analysts’ Best Staffing Companies to Work For competition. Conducted in late 2023, the survey reflects the opinions of 3,434 North American temporary workers.

-Sanestina Hunter