More U.S. employers plan to hire temporary workers in 2014 than did in 2013, according to CareerBuilder’s job forecast for 2014. The forecast’s survey found that 42 percent of employers plan to hire temporary or contract workers in 2014, up from 40 percent in last year’s survey.

In addition, 43 percent of employers hiring temporary workers plan to transition some into full-time, permanent employees.

The survey also found that 24 percent of employers plan to add full-time, permanent headcount in 2014, down from 26 percent who planned to hire in 2013. Thirteen percent plan to decrease staff levels — up from 9 percent last year — while 54 percent anticipate no change.

“The general sentiment shared by employers whom CareerBuilder talks to every day is that there will be a better job market in 2014,” said Matt Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder. “What we saw in our survey was reluctance from some employers to commit to adding jobs until the outcomes of debt negotiations and other issues affecting economic expansion are clearer. As these stories play out and employers find their footing in the New Year, there is greater potential for the average monthly job creation in 2014 to exceed that of 2013.”

Hiring for science, technology, engineering and math occupations is expected to take center stage with 26 percent planning to create jobs in these areas over the next 12 months.

Hiring managers plan to recruit full-time, permanent employees for:

• Sales: 30 percent
• Information technology: 29 percent
• Customer service: 25 percent
• Production: 24 percent
• Administrative: 22 percent
• Engineering: 17 percent
• Marketing: 17 percent
• Business development: 17 percent
• Accounting/finance: 15 percent
• Research/development: 13 percent
• Human resources: 10 percent

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive on behalf of CareerBuilder among 2,201 hiring managers and human resource professionals. It was between Nov. 6 and Dec. 2.