U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 3.13 million temporary and contract workers per week in the first quarter of 2015, up 5.5% from the same period in 2014, according to data released today by the American Staffing Association. Despite harsh winter weather, average weekly employment from January through March increased across a majority of industry sectors.

“Even with weak economic growth in the first quarter, demand for temporary and contract talent increased as businesses increased the size of their flexible and permanent workforces,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “The continued growth in staffing employment means more long-term opportunities for job seekers.”

Temporary and contract staffing sales totaled $28.08 billion in the first quarter of 2015, 5.4% higher than in the same period last year.