Staffing employment edged up during the week of April 7–13, with the ASA Staffing Index increasing 0.7% to a rounded value of 84. Staffing companies cited no primary factor that hindered further growth. Staffing jobs were 6.2% lower relative to the same period last year, narrowing the gap by half a point from 6.7% observed the previous week.
New starts increased marginally in the 15th week of the year, inching up 0.8% from the prior week. Almost half of all staffing companies (47%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week, slightly above the average of 44% so far in 2025.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average increased from the previous week but held at a rounded value of 83. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending April 13 was 7.0% below the same period in 2024.
“The ASA Staffing Index has shown consistent growth in the first two weeks of April, with the year-to-year gap steadily narrowing as well,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “However, the staffing industry’s progress remains fragile, as low turnover and creeping unemployment push against its future momentum.”
This week will be used in the April monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2.
