US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 10% year over year in January among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly Pulse Survey, unchanged from the rate reported in December.

“Temporary staffing overall continued to hold the momentum in January, with most segments showing revenue growth year over year,” said Research Analyst Sree Thiyagarajan. “IT, healthcare and direct hire staffing showed robust growth in January.”

Median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in January from December:

• Office/clerical: to 8% from 3%
• IT: to 11% from 5%
• Allied healthcare: to 15% from 1%
• Finance/accounting: to 5% from 1%
• Engineering/design: to 0% from -4%
• Clinical/scientific staffing: to 5% from -1%
• Marketing/creative: to 10% from 5%

Median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the following staffing segments in January from December:

• Travel nursing: to 20% from 29%
• Per diem nursing: to 21% from 23%
• Locum tenens: to 15% from 25%
• Legal: to -1% from 3%

Median year-over-year revenue growth in the industrial staffing segment remained unchanged at 7%.

The report also found direct hire revenue growth accelerated to a median year-over-year expansion rate of 14% in January from 6% in December.

Sales difficulty remained at 2.78 in January (on a five-point scale, with five being most difficult), while average recruiting difficulty increased to 3.16 from 3.14 in the survey overall. IT staffing firms reported sales difficulty bounced back up to 3.25 after a dip in December. Sales difficulty and recruiting difficulty increased for industrial staffing firms and firms supplying the manufacturing industry, but stayed at levels roughly the same as reported last month for staffing firms primarily serving the healthcare industry.

The net proportion of firms reporting an increasing trend in new orders edged up to 25% in January from 21% reported for December, but remains lower than the 32% average for last 12 months. The net proportion of firms reporting an increase in new orders increased in January in all sectors except industrial.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of January was submitted by individuals from 135 staffing companies. Report highlights are available online.

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