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10 Best Staffing Agencies of 2026
This list is for people in the US who want to find temporary, contract, temp-to-hire or permanent work through a national staffing agency. It covers professional specialists (Robert Half, TEKsystems, Insight Global), broad generalists with large branch networks (Kelly, Adecco, Randstad, Manpower), and agencies built around industrial, office and local hiring (Aerotek, Express Employment Professionals, Spherion). We compared documented features, job seeker policies and published benefits for 10 agencies. Agencies are paid by the employers that hire through them, so value is judged on what you get as a candidate: pay frequency, benefits, training and the support of a recruiter. Scores weigh features at 40%, ease of use at 30% and value at 30%.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
Robert Half is our top pick for office and professional job seekers: it focuses on finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative roles, offers contract, contract-to-hire and full-time work across the US, and gives candidates more than 8,000 courses plus free continuing professional education. Kelly ranks second because its specialist divisions cover engineering, science, education, government and IT under one agency, and it says it places about 350,000 workers a year. Aerotek is the strongest choice for warehouse, manufacturing, construction and maintenance work thanks to weekly pay and clearly published benefits. Adecco and Express are good picks for fast local hiring with free training, and TEKsystems is the IT specialist to call if you work in technology.
Top picks
Best overall
Robert Half
9.1 / 10
Experienced office and professional workers who want contract, contract-to-hire or full-time roles, including remote and hybrid work.
Read the review →Runner-up
Kelly
9.0 / 10
Job seekers who want one agency that covers many fields, including career changers moving into a new industry.
Read the review →Also great
Aerotek
8.9 / 10
Warehouse, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and airport workers who want weekly pay and clear benefits.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Half | Experienced office and professional workers who want contract, contract-to-hire or full-time roles, including remote and hybrid work. | Free for job seekers; employers pay Robert Half | 9.1 |
| 2 | Kelly | Job seekers who want one agency that covers many fields, including career changers moving into a new industry. | Free for job seekers; employers pay Kelly | 9.0 |
| 3 | Aerotek | Warehouse, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and airport workers who want weekly pay and clear benefits. | Free for job seekers; employers pay Aerotek | 8.9 |
| 4 |  Adecco | Job seekers who want quick local placement in office, call center, warehouse or industrial roles plus free training. | Free for job seekers; Adecco says it never asks for payment during recruitment | 8.8 |
| 5 |  Express Employment Professionals | Job seekers who want a local office, one application for many jobs and weekly pay. | Free for job seekers; Express bills its client companies | 8.7 |
| 6 |  TEKsystems | IT professionals who want contract or permanent technology roles at large employers. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.6 |
| 7 |  Randstad | Job seekers who want a wide mix of temporary, temp-to-perm, contract and permanent jobs searchable in one place. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.5 |
| 8 |  Spherion | Job seekers in light industrial, administrative, call center and accounting roles who prefer a local office. | Free for job seekers | 8.4 |
| 9 |  Insight Global | IT, healthcare and finance professionals who want active listings posted by managers ready to hire. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.3 |
| 10 |  Manpower | Job seekers in manufacturing, logistics and skilled technical roles who want training while they work. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.2 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
Robert Half
A specialized staffing firm for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative jobs.
roberthalf.com9.1
out of 10
Best for: Experienced office and professional workers who want contract, contract-to-hire or full-time roles, including remote and hybrid work.
Robert Half started specialized staffing in 1948 and describes itself as the world's largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm. For job seekers that specialization is the point: its recruiters work on finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles, and its US site lists jobs that are on site, hybrid or fully remote. You can upload a resume to be matched with open positions, search listings by title or specialty, or set job alerts, and a recruiter then pitches you to employers who are hiring.
The agency offers contract, contract-to-hire and full-time placements, and its Full-Time Engagement Professionals program hires consultants as salaried employees with benefits. Candidates get access to more than 8,000 courses and free continuing professional education credits, which suits accountants who need CPE. The main limit is scope: if you want warehouse, manufacturing or trades work, an industrial agency fits better.
Standout feature
Free continuing professional education and more than 8,000 courses for candidates.
Use cases
Staff accountants
Take a contract role during busy season while looking for a permanent job
Outcome: Paid work now and a path to a full-time offer
Administrative professionals
Find a remote or hybrid assistant role through a recruiter
Outcome: Interviews with employers that are already hiring
Key features
- Contract, contract-to-hire and full-time jobs across the US, on site, hybrid and fully remote
- Specialties in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support
- Resume upload that matches you with open positions, plus job alerts
- Full-Time Engagement Professionals program: salaried consultant roles with full-time benefits
- More than 8,000 courses and online references, plus free continuing professional education credits
Pros
- States that it never charges candidates fees
- Recruiters present you to employers that are actively hiring
- Publishes a yearly Salary Guide you can use to check pay before you negotiate
Cons
- Few industrial, warehouse or skilled trades roles
- Best results go to candidates with a professional track record
- Openings and recruiter coverage vary by city
Rank 2 · Runner-up
Kelly
A staffing company founded in 1946 with specialist divisions for engineering, science, education, government, IT and industrial work.
kellyservices.com9.0
out of 10
Best for: Job seekers who want one agency that covers many fields, including career changers moving into a new industry.
Kelly has placed workers since 1946 and is based in Troy, Michigan. Instead of one generic recruiting team, it runs specialist divisions: Kelly Engineering, Kelly Science & Clinical, Kelly Education, Kelly Professional & Industrial and Kelly Government, with Motion Recruitment handling IT. Each has recruiters focused on that field, so the person reading your resume should understand the work. Kelly says it places about 350,000 workers a year across 5,000 client companies.
All three staffing models are available: contract or temporary assignments, temp-to-hire and direct hire. That mix is useful for career changers, because a short contract in a new field adds credible experience to a resume. The downside is that the division structure can be confusing at first, and Kelly publishes fewer benefit details for contract workers than some rivals, so ask your recruiter about coverage and pay schedules early.
Standout feature
Specialist divisions for engineering, science, education, government and IT under one agency.
Use cases
Lab technicians
Find a contract role through Kelly Science & Clinical
Outcome: Placement with a recruiter who knows lab hiring
Career changers
Take a temp-to-hire assignment in a new industry
Outcome: Recent experience in the new field on the resume
Key features
- Specialty divisions: Kelly Engineering, Kelly Science & Clinical, Kelly Education, Kelly Professional & Industrial and Kelly Government
- Motion Recruitment, a Kelly company, for IT roles
- Contract or temp, temp-to-hire and direct hire placements
- Dedicated recruiters inside each division who know the field
- Free myKelly career advice library on resumes, interviews and working with agencies
Pros
- Covers more distinct fields than most agencies through its divisions
- Kelly says it places about 350,000 workers a year with 5,000 client companies
- States that it never charges job seekers fees
Cons
- Several division brands can make it unclear where to apply
- Fewer published benefit details than Aerotek or Express
- Openings depend on which divisions are active in your area
Rank 3 · Also great
Aerotek
A staffing agency for industrial and skilled trades work, from manufacturing and logistics to construction and facilities.
aerotek.com8.9
out of 10
Best for: Warehouse, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and airport workers who want weekly pay and clear benefits.
Aerotek is the most transparent agency on this list about what contract workers receive. Its job seeker FAQ states there is no cost to job seekers, that contract employees are paid weekly with direct deposit or a check every Friday, and that benefits start on the first day of the month after you are hired. Those benefits include contributory medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k), an employee assistance program and employee discounts, and some assignments include paid time off.
The work is industrial and skilled trades: aviation and airport operations, construction, distribution and logistics, facilities and maintenance, and manufacturing and production. Aerotek says it connects more than 170,000 workers with more than 18,000 employers a year through about 200 offices, and its application takes under 5 minutes. Assignments range from a few months to a few years. Office and professional job seekers should look at Robert Half or Kelly instead.
Standout feature
Weekly Friday pay and benefits that start the first of the month after hire.
Use cases
Forklift operators
Find a warehouse assignment with weekly pay
Outcome: A paycheck every Friday from the first week
Maintenance technicians
Move from short contracts to a multi-year assignment
Outcome: Steady work with medical coverage and a 401(k)
Key features
- Jobs in aviation and airport operations, construction, distribution and logistics, facilities and maintenance, and manufacturing and production
- Weekly pay every Friday by direct deposit, paper check or pay card
- Contributory medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) and an employee assistance program
- Benefits start on the first day of the month after you are hired
- Online application that Aerotek says takes under 5 minutes, plus a talent network for job alerts
Pros
- Publishes its benefits and pay schedule in plain language
- Aerotek says it connects 170,000+ workers with 18,000+ employers each year
- Hires contract employees on a W-2 basis with taxes withheld
Cons
- Little office or professional work
- Applicants must be at least 18
- Paid time off is only included on some assignments
Rank 4
Adecco
A national staffing agency for temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire jobs, with more than 300 US locations.
adecco.com8.8
out of 10
Best for: Job seekers who want quick local placement in office, call center, warehouse or industrial roles plus free training.
Adecco is a strong choice when you want to start working soon and keep building skills. Its US site lists more than 300 locations nationwide, so most job seekers can visit a branch, and it covers temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire jobs at companies from small businesses to national brands. Applying is simple: a free AI resume builder with speech-to-text helps you write a resume, and a Reverse Matching tool pairs it with open jobs.
Once you are on assignment, Adecco offers health coverage, an associate discount program and an employee assistance program through Optum. Its Aspire Academy gives active associates free online courses in call center, clerical, IT, manufacturing, logistics and industrial skills. Adecco also earned 2026 Military Friendly Employer designations. Adecco states that it never asks for payment during recruitment. The trade-off is that many roles are temporary and professional specialties are thinner than at Robert Half or TEKsystems.
Standout feature
More than 300 US locations and free Aspire Academy courses for associates.
Use cases
Call center workers
Get placed quickly and take free customer service courses
Outcome: Paid work while building skills for a better role
Veterans
Find a civilian role through a Military Friendly employer
Outcome: Local job matches through a nearby branch
Key features
- More than 300 branch locations nationwide
- Free AI resume builder with speech-to-text, plus Reverse Matching that pairs your resume with open jobs
- Aspire Academy: free online courses for associates on active assignment, available 24/7
- Health coverage, an employee assistance program and an associate discount program
- Adecco app for paystubs and assignment details
Pros
- Large branch network makes walk-in help easy to find
- Free courses in customer service, clerical, IT, manufacturing and logistics skills
- 2026 Gold Military Friendly Employer designation for veteran hiring
Cons
- Aspire Academy is only open to associates on active assignment
- Fewer specialist recruiters for senior professional roles
- Many listings are temporary, so hours can change between assignments
Rank 5
Express Employment Professionals
A franchised staffing company whose locally owned offices place people in office, industrial, skilled trades, professional and healthcare jobs.
expresspros.com8.7
out of 10
Best for: Job seekers who want a local office, one application for many jobs and weekly pay.
Express Employment Professionals works through franchised offices that are locally owned, which shapes the experience. You apply online, by phone or in person, and that single application is used to match you with temporary, contract and direct hire roles at local employers. An Employment Specialist interviews you first, then calls when a client request matches your skills, and you can decline any assignment.
Express lists weekly pay, free skills training and no fees to job seekers, and its FAQ gives useful planning numbers: assignments run from four hours to months, the average temporary assignment lasts 16 weeks, and associates average 37 hours a week. Payroll and W-2s are in an online Workforce Account. Jobs range from office services and light industrial to skilled trades, professional and healthcare roles. Because every office is independently run, the quality of recruiters and the mix of jobs depend on your local franchise.
Standout feature
One application is matched to many jobs through a locally owned office.
Use cases
Recent graduates
Earn a paycheck through temporary assignments while exploring fields
Outcome: Work experience and references from local employers
Light industrial workers
Register once and get called when local shifts open
Outcome: Steady assignments without reapplying
Key features
- One application considered for multiple jobs with local employers
- Temporary assignments, part-time, full-time and direct hire jobs
- Weekly pay and free skills training
- Workforce Account portal for payroll information and W-2 statements
- Related brands Express Healthcare Staffing, Specialized Recruiting Group and Frontline Recruitment Group
Pros
- Locally owned offices know the employers in their area
- You choose whether to accept each assignment
- Express says the average temporary assignment lasts 16 weeks at about 37 hours a week
Cons
- Jobs and service vary from one franchise office to the next
- Assignments can be as short as four hours
- Hours are not guaranteed between assignments
Rank 6
TEKsystems
An IT staffing and services company that places technology professionals with more than 6,000 clients.
teksystems.com8.6
out of 10
Best for: IT professionals who want contract or permanent technology roles at large employers.
TEKsystems is a technology specialist. Its careers pages describe work across cloud services, data analytics, AI, machine learning and automation, and technology operations, and its FAQ says it has more than 6,000 clients and over 100 offices in North America, Europe and Asia. TEKsystems also says its consultants can work with over 80% of the Fortune 500.
The company is open that it relies mostly on networking and referrals, so the best route in is to contact a recruiter at your local office rather than only applying to posted jobs. Once placed, consultants get a TEKsystems Community portal with time and expense tools, payroll and tax information, benefits, perks and more than 6,500 free online courses, and it shows your assignment end date so you can plan the next move. Limits are clear too: it does not typically sponsor H-1B visas or fill internships. We could not confirm a fee statement for job seekers on its US pages.
Standout feature
More than 6,500 free online courses inside the consultant portal.
Use cases
Cloud engineers
Find a contract role at a large enterprise
Outcome: Interviews arranged by a technology recruiter
Entry-level IT support staff
Land a first help desk assignment
Outcome: Paid experience and access to free courses
Key features
- IT roles in cloud, data analytics, AI and machine learning, application development and technology operations
- More than 6,000 clients and work with over 80% of the Fortune 500
- TEKsystems Community portal for time, expenses, payroll, benefits and job interest
- More than 6,500 free online courses for consultants
- Over 100 offices in North America, Europe and Asia
Pros
- Recruiters focus on technology hiring
- Consultants can see their assignment end date and express interest in the next role in the portal
- Many entry-level roles across skill sets
Cons
- Relies mainly on networking and referrals, so many jobs are not posted online
- Does not typically sponsor H-1B visas or fill internship roles
- Little for non-technical job seekers
Rank 7
Randstad
A global staffing company with US jobs in operations, industrial, office, professional, healthcare and digital fields.
randstadusa.com8.5
out of 10
Best for: Job seekers who want a wide mix of temporary, temp-to-perm, contract and permanent jobs searchable in one place.
Randstad's US site is built around a large job search. Listings can be filtered by permanent, temporary, temp to perm and contract work, by remote roles and by distance from your location, and the search showed thousands of open jobs when we checked. Its divisions span operational work (customer service, industrial management, manufacturing and logistics, skilled trades), professional work (administration, engineering, finance and accounting, healthcare, HR, legal, life sciences, sales and marketing) and digital roles in cloud, data and product engineering.
If nothing fits, you can submit a resume and job interests so a recruiter contacts you, or set daily, weekly or monthly job alerts. Free tools include a salary comparison tool, a resume builder and a Randstad app for Android and iOS. What is missing is detail: the job seeker pages we checked do not spell out benefits, pay schedules or a fee policy as clearly as Aerotek or Express, so ask your recruiter.
Standout feature
One search covers temporary, temp to perm, contract and permanent jobs.
Use cases
Customer service agents
Compare temporary and permanent roles near home
Outcome: A shortlist filtered by distance and job type
Job seekers checking pay
Benchmark an offer with the salary comparison tool
Outcome: A number to use in negotiation
Key features
- Job search with filters for permanent, temporary, temp to perm, contract and remote work
- Operational, professional and digital divisions, from manufacturing and logistics to finance, healthcare and data
- Resume submission so recruiters can contact you about matching roles
- Free salary comparison tool and resume builder
- Randstad app for Android and iOS, plus job alerts by email
Pros
- Thousands of open US jobs searchable by distance
- Covers both hourly and professional roles
- Career tools are free to use without registering
Cons
- Job seeker pages are heavy on navigation and light on benefit details
- No fee statement found on the US job seeker pages we checked
- Experience depends on the local recruiter you are assigned
Rank 8
Spherion
A franchise staffing network with more than 200 local offices in 36 states for industrial, office and professional jobs.
spherion.com8.4
out of 10
Best for: Job seekers in light industrial, administrative, call center and accounting roles who prefer a local office.
Spherion runs a network of more than 200 local offices in 36 states, each independently owned and operated as a franchise. Its job categories are light industrial, administrative and clerical, non-clinical healthcare, customer service and call center, finance and accounting, IT and other professional roles, and current openings range from welders and CNC machinists to receptionists and data entry operators.
Applying is simple: apply to a posting or submit an open application, and a local recruiter follows up with next steps. You do not need a polished resume to start, and you can set job alerts for new postings. Its FAQ states plainly that it never charges a fee and its services are always free for job seekers. Spherion calls itself the most-awarded staffing company in America and says over 100 locations hold Reputation.com's 800 Award. The gaps are coverage, since it operates in 36 states, and the lack of published benefit details.
Standout feature
More than 200 locally owned offices across 36 states.
Use cases
Data entry operators
Submit an open application and wait for a local match
Outcome: A recruiter call about suitable office roles
Welders and machinists
Find light industrial assignments near home
Outcome: Local placements without a long search
Key features
- Jobs in light industrial, administrative and clerical, non-clinical healthcare, customer service and call center, finance and accounting, and IT
- More than 200 local offices in 36 states
- Open application if you do not see the right posting
- Job alerts for new postings
- Salary comparison tool based on job title and location
Pros
- Clear written statement that its services are always free for job seekers
- Local recruiters follow up after you apply
- Spherion says 100+ of its locations have earned Reputation.com's 800 Award
Cons
- Not present in every state
- Independently owned offices mean service varies
- Benefits are not described on the job seeker pages
Rank 9
Insight Global
A staffing and consulting company with more than 15,000 openings across the US and Canada in IT, healthcare, engineering and finance.
insightglobal.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: IT, healthcare and finance professionals who want active listings posted by managers ready to hire.
Insight Global's job seeker page leads with volume: more than 15,000 openings across the US and Canada, including remote roles, across 30 industries such as healthcare, engineering, financial services, life sciences and technology. Its tech listings cover data, cloud, application development, data centers and enterprise operations, and featured jobs range from nurses and software engineers to lab technicians and call center staff.
The process has three steps: search, submit your resume, then connect with a recruiter. Insight Global says every listing is active and posted by a manager who is ready to hire, and that about 1 in 4 interviews it schedules ends with the candidate getting the job. It offers staffing, direct placement and executive search. The weakness for a job seeker is missing detail: its page does not describe consultant benefits or state a fee policy, so ask both questions before you sign anything.
Standout feature
More than 15,000 active openings, each posted by a manager ready to hire.
Use cases
Software engineers
Apply to active contract roles in the US or remotely
Outcome: Recruiter-arranged interviews with hiring managers
Nurses
Find healthcare openings through a staffing recruiter
Outcome: Placement options across several employers
Key features
- More than 15,000 openings in the US and Canada, including remote roles
- Staffing, direct placement and executive search
- Listings across 30 industries, including healthcare, engineering, financial services, life sciences and technology
- Three-step process: search, submit your resume, connect with a recruiter
- Technology roles in data, cloud, application development and enterprise operations
Pros
- Insight Global says every listing is active and posted by a manager ready to hire
- Insight Global says about 1 in 4 interviews it schedules ends in a job
- Large volume of IT and healthcare roles
Cons
- Consultant benefits are not described on the job seeker page
- No fee statement found on the job seeker pages we checked
- Fewer entry-level industrial roles than generalist agencies
Rank 10
Manpower
ManpowerGroup's staffing brand for temporary, seasonal and permanent jobs, with free upskilling for associates.
manpower.com8.2
out of 10
Best for: Job seekers in manufacturing, logistics and skilled technical roles who want training while they work.
Manpower is the staffing brand of ManpowerGroup and says it has worked in employment for more than 70 years. Its US site offers seasonal, temporary and long-term jobs, and it says new openings arrive daily from companies in transportation, logistics, engineering and financial services. Specialized brands cover engineering, finance and skilled technical work, the last aimed at modern manufacturing.
The strongest reason to choose Manpower is training. A free account gives access to upskilling courses and skills assessments, active associates qualify for online training and personalized career guidance, and the MyPath program adds tailored assessments, education and full tuition coverage. The My Manpower app handles job matching, applications and a dashboard for your current assignment. On the downside, several US job seeker pages returned errors when we checked, and the site does not lay out associate benefits or a fee policy in detail, so confirm both with a recruiter.
Standout feature
MyPath offers associates full tuition coverage for skills programs.
Use cases
Production workers
Take a manufacturing assignment and join MyPath
Outcome: New credentials paid for while working
Seasonal workers
Find short-term logistics shifts through the app
Outcome: Applications and assignment details in one place
Key features
- Seasonal, temporary and long-term jobs in transportation, logistics, engineering, financial services and more
- MyPath program with skills assessments, education and full tuition coverage
- My Manpower app with job matching, applications and a personal dashboard
- Upskilling courses and skills assessments with a free Manpower account
- Specialized brands Manpower Engineering, Manpower Finance and Manpower Skilled Technical
Pros
- MyPath covers tuition for eligible associates
- Online training and career guidance for active associates
- More than 70 years in employment services
Cons
- Several US job seeker pages returned errors when we checked
- No fee statement found on the US pages we checked
- Benefits for associates are not described in detail
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best staffing agency to work for?
Robert Half is our top pick for office and professional job seekers because it offers contract, contract-to-hire and full-time roles in finance, technology, marketing, legal and administrative work, and it never charges candidates. Kelly is the best broad alternative, and Aerotek is the best choice for industrial and trades workers who want weekly pay and published benefits.
+Which is the best staffing agency in the USA?
For most professionals it is Robert Half, which pioneered specialized staffing in 1948. Kelly suits people who want field-specific recruiters in engineering, science, education, government or IT, and Adecco suits people who want a nearby branch, with more than 300 US locations.
+What is the best staffing agency in the USA for industrial or warehouse work?
Aerotek is our pick: it places workers in manufacturing, logistics, construction, facilities and airport operations, pays contract employees weekly every Friday, and offers contributory medical, dental and vision insurance plus a 401(k). Express Employment Professionals and Spherion are good local alternatives.
+What are the best staffing agencies in the US?
Our ranking is Robert Half, Kelly, Aerotek, Adecco, Express Employment Professionals, TEKsystems, Randstad, Spherion, Insight Global and Manpower. TEKsystems and Insight Global are the strongest picks for IT roles, while Express and Spherion work through locally owned franchise offices.
+Do staffing agencies charge job seekers a fee?
Legitimate agencies are paid by employers, not candidates. Robert Half, Kelly, Adecco, Aerotek, Express and Spherion all state on their own sites that job seekers pay nothing. Treat any request for money to get a job as a scam.
+Can I work with more than one staffing agency at a time?
Yes. Each agency fills different client roles, so registering with one specialist and one generalist, for example Robert Half and Adecco, widens your options. Tell each recruiter where you have already been submitted so an employer does not get your resume twice.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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