US temporary staffing revenue growth rose a median 10% year over year in December, up from 7% in November, according to Staffing Industry Analysts’ Pulse Survey Report of staffing firms. In the healthcare sector, median year-over-year growth accelerated in locum tenens and travel nursing; however, it decelerated in per diem nursing and in allied healthcare.
Average sales difficulty for all firms decreased to 2.67 in December from 2.83 in November (on a five-point scale, with five being most difficult), while average recruiting difficulty decreased to 3.27 from 3.31. For healthcare staffing firms, sales difficulty increased to the highest level ever reported at 3.00, while recruiting difficulty decreased.
Median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in December compared to year-over-year growth in November:
- Locum tenens: to 27% from 0%
- IT staffing: to 11% from 3%
- Travel nursing: to 6% from 1%
- Marketing/creative: to 22% from 17%
- Engineering/design: to 12% from 8%
- Industrial staffing: to 8% from 5%
Median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the following staffing segments in December compared to year-over-year growth in November:
- Life sciences (formerly clinical/scientific): to 10% from 21%
- Legal: to 3% from 13%
- Per diem nursing: to 4% from 13%
- Allied healthcare: to 10% from 13%
- Finance/accounting: to 2% from 4%
- Office/clerical: to 2% from 3%
Median year-over-year revenue growth rose in direct hire to 18% from 10% in last month’s report.
Pulse Survey results are based on a survey of US staffing firms. Information for the month of December was submitted by individuals from 140 staffing companies. Corporate members of SIA can view a high-level summary of the report, and the full report is available to participants.
Starting in 2019, SIA reduced the frequency of Staffing Industry Pulse Survey to six times per year to save time for staffing firms and to provide more in-depth insights on industry trends. The next SIA Pulse survey will be in March, and there is no cost to participate.
