In May, US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 6% year over year for the third consecutive month among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly pulse survey.

“Temporary staffing continued to grow steadily with most of the segments showing positive trends in revenue and an increase in new orders,” Research Analyst Sree Thiyagarajan said.

The net proportion of firms reporting an increasing trend in new orders rose to 40% in May from 38% in April, remaining at a relatively high level. The metric was higher than its 12-month average for industrial staffing firms and firms serving the manufacturing industry, but lower than the 12-month average for staffing firms serving the healthcare industry and IT staffing firms.

Median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in May from April:

• Industrial: to 8% from 4%
• Office/clerical: to 8% from 5%
• IT: to 6% from 3%
• Travel nursing: to 21% from 18%
• Locum tenens: to 27% from 17%
• Allied healthcare: to 27% from 11%
• Engineering/design: to 10% from -5%
• Legal: to 3% from 1%
• Clinical/scientific staffing: to 10% from -1%

Median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the following staffing segments in May from April:

• Finance/accounting: to 2% from 4%
• Per diem nursing: to 12% from 16%
• Marketing/creative: to 1% from 3%

The report also found direct-hire revenue growth accelerated to a median year-over-year expansion rate of 11% in May from 10% in April.

Average sales difficulty increased to 2.72 in May from 2.63 in April (on a five-point scale, with five being most difficult), and average recruiting difficulty increased to 3.31 from 3.25 in the survey overall. IT staffing firms reported a decrease in difficulty levels of both sales and recruiting. Industrial staffing firms and firms supplying the healthcare and manufacturing industries reported increased difficulty levels for both sales and recruiting.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of May was submitted by individuals from 150 staffing companies. Report highlights are available online.

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