ASA Staffing Index Monthly Report, March 2025
Index Holds at a Value of 83
Staffing employment edged down during the week of March 10-16, with the ASA Staffing Index decreasing 0.3% but holding at a rounded value of 83. Staffing companies cited no primary factor that hindered further growth. Staffing jobs were 7.7% lower relative to the same period last year, widening the gap slightly from 7.5% observed the previous week.
New starts also edged down in the 11th week of the year, decreasing 2.2% from the prior week. Almost four in 10 staffing companies (37%) reported gains in new assignments week-to-week, below the average of 45% 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 March 16 was 7.4% below the same period in 2024.
“Employment momentum remains confounded by a trifecta of higher labor costs, lower labor turnover, and plenty of uncertainties about the economy,” said Noah Yosif, Chief Economist at ASA. “Staffing companies, much like their clients, remain hopeful for labor market conditions to improve over the year but are prepared to weather further stagnation for the time being.”
This week will be used in the March monthly employment situation report scheduled to be issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 4.
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.
