US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 5% year over year in August among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly Pulse Survey. This is down from a 6% growth rate reported in July.

“In August, temporary staffing revenue growth as a whole decelerated slightly, while five temporary staffing segments accelerated in terms of median year-over-year revenue growth,” said Research Associate Sree Thiyagarajan. “Nevertheless, a decreasing sales difficulty as well as a higher net proportion of firms reporting an increase in new orders are bullish signals. Another notable finding was the signs of improvement in engineering staffing.”

Sales difficulty decreased to 2.59 from 2.74 (on a five-point scale, with five meaning most difficult) and average recruiting difficulty increased to 3.29 from 3.27 in the survey overall. The net proportion of firms reporting an increasing trend in new orders rose to 36%, a level above the last 12-month average of 34% and a bounce back from the 29% reported last month.

The report found median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the following staffing segments in August from July:

• Office/clerical: To -4% from -1% growth
• IT: To 7% from 8%
• Travel nursing: To 23% from 33%
• Per diem nursing: To 20% from 23%
• Locum tenens: To 18% from 29%
• Finance/accounting: To 1% from 2%

The report also found median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in August from July:

• Industrial: To 2% from -3% growth
• Allied healthcare: To 11% from 5%
• Engineering/design: To 1% from -3%
• Legal: To 4% from 0%
• Marketing/creative: To 9% from 5%

Direct hire revenue growth accelerated to a median year-over-year expansion rate of 10% in August, up from a rate of 5% in July.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of August was submitted by individuals from 120 staffing companies.

The full Pulse Survey Report is available to firms that take part in the survey. Features include data on bill rate trends, data split by US regions, and tables with a snapshot of year-over-year and month-over-month revenue growth for the most recent month.

The next Pulse Survey is currently underway. Participate now by selecting this link.