ASA Staffing Index Monthly Report, January 2025
Year-to-Year Gap Narrows While Four-Week Average Declines
The rate of staffing employment growth slowed during the week of Jan. 13–19, with the ASA Staffing Index increasing 1.6% to a rounded value of 82. Staffing companies cited inclement weather as a primary factor that prevented further growth. Staffing jobs were 5.9% lower relative to the same period last year, narrowing the gap from 8.5% observed the previous week.
New starts also increased slightly in the third week of the year, up 2.3% from the prior week. Four in 10 staffing companies (41%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week.
The ASA Staffing Index four-week moving average eased again from the previous week, down to a rounded value of 78. Temporary and contract staffing employment for the four weeks ending Jan. 19 was 8.0% below the same period in 2024.
“Staffing activity saw a modest start to 2025, hindered by the holidays and inclement weather,” said Noah Yosif, chief economist at ASA. “However, the temporary headwinds handicapping further momentum within staffing activity are no match for the long-term tailwinds expected to drive growth throughout the year, including robust economic activity, declining labor costs, and increased business sentiment.”
This week will be used in the January monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Feb. 7.
The ASA Staffing Index is reported nine days after each workweek, making it a near real-time measure of staffing employment trends. ASA Staffing Starts are the number of temporary and contract employees placed in new assignments during the reporting week. ASA research shows that staffing employment has historically been a coincident economic indicator.
The ASA Staffing Index is reported nine days after each workweek, making it a near real-time measure of staffing employment trends. ASA Staffing Starts are the number of temporary and contract employees placed in new assignments during the reporting week. ASA research shows that staffing employment has historically been a coincident economic indicator.
For more information, visit americanstaffing.net/index. Or follow ASA research on X.
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About the American Staffing Association (ASA)
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net.
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