An average of 2.09 million temporary and contract workers were employed per day in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 2009, according to the American Staffing Association's quarterly staffing employment survey released today.

The number is down 15.2% from the fourth quarter of 2008, but it's up 2.2% from the third quarter.

The fourth quarter of 2009 marked the second consecutive quarter of increase after six quarters of declines, according to the ASA.

"Staffing firms are hiring again and anticipate that demand will continue to increase across all sectors during the course of the year," said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and CEO. "This is good news for jobs seekers in what continues to be a very tough employment market."

For full-year 2009, staffing firms employed an average of 2.01 million workers per day.