Within temporary staffing, the segment performing the best at the moment is information technology, which scored the only year-over-year increase of any segment, up 1% on a weighted-average basis. At the other end of the spectrum, travel nursing reported a weighted-average year-over-year decline of 44% and no sequential relief.

According to data from the just-released Staffing Industry Monthly Pulse Survey, revenue trends are continuing to improve in most staffing segments. On a year-over-year basis, the 198 participants in the survey reported a weighted-average decline of 17% in overall temp revenue for the 12 months ending September 2009, a notable improvement from the 25% year-over-year decline reported for the 12 months ending August 2009. Sequential temporary staffing trends for September versus August were also very positive.

Improvement in direct hire trends was also noteworthy, with staffing firms reporting sequential improvement in September versus August.

According to the survey, the temporary staffing segments seeing the greatest merger & acquisition activity are information technology and per diem nursing.

The monthly Pulse survey for October revenue trends is now open for participation.  Staffing firms interested in participating and receiving the full survey report may do so by clicking here.