Temporary staffing year-over-year revenue growth decelerated to 7 percent in April after rising to 11 percent in March, according to the latest Pulse Survey update by Staffing Industry Analysts. However, month-to-month trends in April continued to show “widespread” improvement for the third consecutive month, and the percentage of firms reporting positive year-over-year growth rose to 74 percent from 68 percent.

“It looks like the staffing industry has none of the verve it exhibited in 2012,” said Research Analyst Robert Balicki. “Pulse results came in at 7 percent in April. Results in 2013 have tended to show a deceleration, relative to the growth rates seen in 2011 and 2012. Over the long-term (from early 2012 until now), two other indicators tracked in the Pulse Survey support this conclusion: an increasing number of staffing firms have said sales is tougher than recruiting and fewer staffing firms say new orders are increasing.”

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of staffing firms. April’s survey included data submitted by individuals from 113 companies.

The full Pulse report is available to firms that take part in the survey. For more information, contact Robert Balicki at rbalicki@staffingindustry.com.