Revenue in the U.S. employment services industry -- which includes temporary staffing, direct hire, executive search and professional employer organization and outplacement services -- rose 7.9% year-over-year in the first quarter, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. The sector had $45.81 billion in revenue in the quarter, compared with $42.46 billion in the first quarter of 2007.

The 7.9% year-over-year increase represented an acceleration in revenue growth from the 4.7% year-over-year increase reported in the fourth quarter.