U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 2.96 million temporary and contract workers per week in the first quarter of 2014, up 3.2 percent from the first quarter of 2013, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association.

Despite winter weather that adversely affected much of the U.S., average weekly employment in the first quarter was higher than in any first quarter since 2006, when it was 3.10 million, according to the ASA.

Staffing employment typically peaks in the fourth quarter and grows in subsequent quarters, according to the ASA. The seasonal pattern meant staffing jobs were down 7.0 percent in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter.

The ASA staffing employment and sales survey is conducted on a quarterly basis, covering approximately 10,000 establishments.