US staffing companies employed an average of 3.2 million temporary and contract workers per week in the second quarter, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association. This is the highest number for any second quarter since 2000.

Staffing employment rose 2.3% in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, marking the largest year-over-year growth for any quarter in three years.

“Businesses are turning to staffing companies for flexible workforce solutions, which is driving up demand for temporary and contract employees,” ASA President and CEO Richard Wahlquist said. “This means more opportunities for job seekers in an ever-tightening labor market as employers focus on talent as a way to differentiate their businesses.”

Quarter over quarter, staffing employment increased 3.1% from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2018.