Third-quarter U.S. temporary and contract staffing sales rose 3.6% year-over-year, according to the American Staffing Association's quarterly employment and sales survey. America's staffing companies employed an average of 3.05 million temporary and contract workers per day in the third quarter, up 2.3% from the same period last year and a new third-quarter high, according to the ASA. Employment had been flat to slightly down in the previous four quarters.

"The ASA Staffing Index, which measures weekly changes in temporary and contract employment shows a mostly flat August followed by a strong September and continued growth in October," said President and CEO Richard Wahlquist. "While softer demand affected our members earlier in the year, we are seeing some increased demand in the second half, particularly for employees with higher skill and education levels."