U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 2.3 million temporary and contract workers per week in the third quarter of 2020—an increase of nearly 300,000 from the second quarter—according to data released today by the American Staffing Association.

“During the third quarter, staffing companies played an essential role in getting people safely back to work,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “The staffing industry is uniquely positioned to continue providing opportunities to those who have been furloughed or laid off during the pandemic, aiding the recovery of overall employment in the U.S.”

Staffing jobs grew 14.4% from the second quarter of 2020 to the third quarter, and staffing sales expanded 14.5%. Temporary and contract staffing sales totaled $29.7 billion in the third quarter of 2020, down 13.6% from the same quarter in 2019. Staffing companies expect their fourth-quarter revenue to decline 7% year-to-year and anticipate a 15% drop for the full year compared with 2019.