Temporary staffing providers noted strong and rising demand for temporary workers during the last part of 2011 in the Philadelphia, Cleveland and Richmond, Va., Federal Reserve districts, according to the new Federal Reserve Beige Book report released Wednesday. However, staffing firms in the Chicago and Dallas districts reported below-average seasonal hiring.

The Beige Book also reported that limited permanent hiring and the number of job-seekers have kept a lid on wage increases. However, the Dallas district reported large pay increases in for workers with specialized skills in the energy sector. The San Francisco district also reported pay hikes for those with specialized skills in technology.

Overall, the U.S. economy expanded at a modest to moderate pace between late November and the end of December.