Staffing executives taking part in the monthly Staffing Industry Pulse Survey reported their U.S. direct hire revenue rose 38 percent on a year-over-year basis. The 38 percent growth is the same growth rate direct hire reached during its peak in mid-2011. Dan Begley-Groth, research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts, said the growth rate decelerated until it hit 25 percent in December before picking up again in January.

Pulse survey respondents also reported U.S. temporary staffing revenue rose in January, up 14 percent.

“Within temporary staffing segments, information technology reported the highest year-over-year growth with 24 percent,” said Begley-Groth. “Travel nursing came in second with 23 percent. Similar to direct hire, travel nursing peaked in mid-2011 at almost 40 percent growth before gradually decelerating to 23 percent in January. It is notable that before travel nursing revenue began to decelerate, respondents indicated declining month-over-month trends. In January, respondents reported a sharp increase in month-over-month trends, perhaps indicating future acceleration in travel nursing growth.”

Respondents to the survey also reported seven acquisitions in January — the most since March 2011, Begley-Groth said.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of staffing firms that included data submitted by individuals from 144 companies for January’s survey.

Full survey results are available to companies that take part in the survey. For more information, contact Dan Begley-Groth at dbegleygroth@staffingindustry.com.