US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 9% year over year in April — an acceleration from 7% in March — among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly Pulse survey.

“Temporary staffing overall continued to hold the momentum in April, which indicates continued strength in the market,” SIA Research Analyst Sree Thiyagarajan said. “Engineering/design and IT staffing showed robust growth in April.”

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

• Legal: to 22% from 3%
• Marketing/creative: to 19% from 2%
• Engineering/design: to 17% from 5%
• Per diem nursing: to 7% from -4%
• IT: to 7% from 2%
• Office/clerical: to 6% from 3%
• Allied healthcare: to 10% from 7%
• Locum tenens: to 6% from 4%
• Finance/accounting: to 3% from 1%

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

• Clinical/scientific: to 5% from 11%
• Travel nursing: to 4% from 7%
• Industrial staffing: to 4% from 6%

Median year-over-year revenue growth increased 23% in direct hire and 12% in retained search.

The April report also found the net proportion of firms reporting an increasing trend in new orders fell to 46% in April, down from 58% in March but higher than the last 12-month average of 41% for this metric. The net proportion of firms reporting an increase in new orders was slightly higher than its last 12-month average for industrial and IT staffing firms and staffing firms serving the manufacturing industry, but stayed the same for staffing firms serving the healthcare industry.

Average sales difficulty rose to 2.74 in April from 2.58 in March (on a five-point scale, with five being most difficult), and average recruiting difficulty rose to 3.33 from 3.18 in the survey overall.

Starting with this April report, the Pulse research now covers metrics by company size — including median year-over-year revenue growth, bill rates, new order trends, and sales and recruiting difficulties. US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 17% year over year in April for survey respondents with $10 million or less in US staffing revenue; 9% for those with $11 million to $200 million; and 4% at firms with more than $200 million in revenue.

Pulse survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of April were submitted by individuals from 137 staffing companies. Corporate members of Staffing Industry Analysts 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.