Staffing companies in the U.S. employed an average of 3.0 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2013, up 4.0% from 2012, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association. Over the course of 2013, staffing firms hired a total of 11.0 million temporary and contract employees.

“Staffing and recruiting companies are employment experts, matching millions of people and their skills and lifestyle needs with millions of jobs every day,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “Staffing firms provide temporary, contract, and permanent employment opportunities—at no cost for job seekers—in virtually all occupations across all sectors of the economy.”

In the fourth quarter of 2013, staffing industry payrolls averaged 3.2 million employees per week, up 3.8% from the third quarter and an increase of 6.1% over the fourth quarter of 2012.

Temporary and contract staffing sales for the year totaled $109.2 billion in 2013, up 4.3% over all of 2012. Fourth quarter sales grew to $28.3 billion, 5.6% more than in the same quarter last year.