US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 5% year over year in November — a deceleration from October’s 7% rate — among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly Pulse survey.

“Healthcare staffing firms continued to report robust expansion, with three sub-segments indicating double-digit median revenue growth,” Research Analyst Sree Thiyagarajan said.

Median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in November from October:

• Travel nursing: to 16% from 6%
• Locum tenens: to 13% from 5%
• Finance/accounting: to 4% from 2%

Median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the following staffing segments in November from October:

• Engineering/design: to 13% from 21%
• Allied healthcare: to 6% from 13%
• Legal: to negative 2% from 1%
• Per diem nursing: to 10% from 13%
• Industrial: to 4% from 6%
• Office/clerical: to 2% from 3%
• IT: to 6% from 7%

Median year-over-year revenue growth stayed the same for the marketing/creative and clinical/scientific staffing segments at 10% and 4% respectively.

The report also found the net proportion of firms reporting an increasing trend in new orders fell to 34% in November, down from 41% in October and lower than the last 12-month average of 38% for this metric. The net proportion of firms reporting an increase in new orders rose for healthcare staffing firms, but decreased in industrial, IT and manufacturing.

Average sales difficulty rose to 2.77 in November from 2.69 in October (on a five-point scale, with five being most difficult), while average recruiting remained at 3.11 in the survey overall for the third consecutive month. Industrial staffing firms and firms supplying the manufacturing industry reported a decrease in recruiting difficulty, while sales difficulty increased. Healthcare staffing firms reported an increase in difficulty for both sales and recruiting. IT staffing firms reported an increase in recruiting difficulty, while sales difficulty decreased.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of November was submitted by individuals from 130 staffing companies. SIA corporate members can view a high-level summary of the report, and the full report is available to participants.

It’s free to take part, and the next Pulse Survey is currently underway. Participate now by selecting this link.