15 best staffing agencies by industry

Staffing agencies have become essential partners for businesses across various industries, helping them meet workforce demands and streamline hiring processes. 

These agencies specialize in recruiting talent for roles ranging from temporary assignments to executive positions. They’re essential in supporting companies by providing skilled professionals without the lengthy, resource-intensive hiring process. 

This article will explore the best staffing agencies by industry, along with considerations for choosing the right agency and the benefits they provide.

An overview of staffing agencies

Staffing agencies act as intermediaries between employers and job seekers. They assist companies in recruiting, screening, and placing candidates in roles suited to their skills and experience. 

Different types of staffing agencies cater to various business needs, such as temporary staffing, permanent placements, and executive searches. 

Temporary staffing agencies, for example, focus on short-term roles, helping companies adjust their workforce quickly to meet fluctuating demands. Meanwhile, executive search firms specialize in recruiting high-level professionals like C-suite executives and specialized experts.

Some agencies focus on specific industries, developing deep knowledge of the particular skills and requirements that companies in those fields need. 

Partnering with an industry-focused staffing agency enables businesses to access a tailored pool of candidates with specialized skills and experience. 

As staffing agencies continue to evolve, they’re playing a critical role in filling roles with top-tier talent and adapting to labor market trends, especially in industries with unique requirements.

15 Best staffing agencies by industry

Staffing needs vary widely by industry, and certain sectors have distinct requirements in terms of skills, experience, and certification. 

Below are some of the top industries that regularly rely on staffing agencies and the agencies renowned within each field:

Information Technology (IT)

1. Robert Half Technology

Robert Half Technology is a leading IT staffing agency, providing businesses with experienced tech professionals for contract, project-based, and permanent roles. 

Robert Half Technology’s broad network connects companies with top talent for roles like software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, and IT support. 

Known for its rigorous vetting processes and industry expertise, it offers tailored staffing solutions to match the specific needs of each organization. 

2. TEKsystems

TEKsystems focuses on delivering talent solutions within the IT and digital transformation sectors, helping companies stay ahead. 

Its comprehensive offerings range from staffing and managed services to talent management, making them a versatile choice for IT recruitment. 

TEKsystems is particularly known for its commitment to client partnership. The company takes time to understand business objectives and industry challenges to provide customized talent solutions. 

The agency has built a strong reputation for providing IT professionals skilled in areas like software engineering, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

3. Kforce

Kforce is a specialized staffing agency with expertise in the IT and finance sectors. In the technology domain, Kforce focuses on providing skilled professionals for various technical roles, including network engineering, data science, and application development. 

Its approach is based on a deep understanding of the technology landscape. This enables its team to match companies with talent that meets both current and future needs. 

Healthcare

1. AMN Healthcare

AMN Healthcare is a top healthcare staffing agency in the United States. It provides highly qualified medical professionals for a variety of roles across hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities. 

It specializes in staffing doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, as well as offering workforce solutions like managed services and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO). 

AMN’s commitment to quality and compliance ensures that all candidates are thoroughly vetted and meet stringent industry standards. As a result, it is a preferred partner for healthcare providers aiming to deliver high-quality patient care.

2. Aya Healthcare

Aya Healthcare is renowned for its expertise in travel nursing and locum tenens placements. This has made it a go-to agency for healthcare facilities facing staffing shortages or seasonal demand spikes. 

Aya Healthcare’s extensive network of healthcare professionals allows it to quickly provide skilled and credentialed staff for temporary and permanent roles across the U.S. 

Its innovative approach includes digital tools that allow healthcare providers and professionals to manage placements efficiently. This ensures that facilities have access to qualified staff when and where they need them most.

3. Cross Country Healthcare

Cross Country Healthcare is a leading provider of healthcare staffing and workforce management solutions. It focuses on supplying hospitals and other healthcare facilities with qualified nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals. 

Cross Country Healthcare is known for its rigorous screening and credentialing processes. The agency offers flexible staffing options that allow facilities to address critical staffing needs without compromising on quality. 

Finance and accounting

1. Robert Half Finance & Accounting

Robert Half Finance & Accounting is a leader in staffing services for finance and accounting roles. The firm offers access to top talent in areas like bookkeeping, financial analysis, tax preparation, and corporate finance. 

Robert Half is known for its meticulous candidate screening, making it a trusted partner for companies looking to build robust finance teams that drive growth and compliance. 

Its specialized consultants understand the nuances of finance roles and work closely with businesses to provide talent that matches their specific needs and organizational culture.

2. LHH

LHH specializes in talent acquisition and career transition solutions, providing staffing services that are particularly effective in finance and accounting. 

LHH connects companies with high-caliber financial talent, ranging from entry-level accountants to executive finance professionals. 

They also offer services like leadership development and organizational consulting. This makes it a versatile partner for companies that prioritize strategic workforce planning alongside staffing. 

3. Randstad USA

Randstad USA offers a comprehensive range of staffing solutions for finance and accounting roles. Its solutions cover positions such as controllers, financial analysts, and compliance officers. 

With a focus on candidate quality, Randstad USA is dedicated to providing finance professionals who can adapt to each client’s specific operational and strategic needs. It also offers temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent staffing options, providing flexibility for companies.

Creative and marketing

1. Creative Circle

Creative Circle is a specialized staffing agency that connects businesses with creative professionals across areas like graphic design, content creation, marketing, and digital media. 

Creative Circle boasts a personalized approach to staffing. The agency ensures that it matches clients with candidates who not only have the right technical skills but also align with the brand’s creative vision. 

2. Mathys + Potestio

Mathys + Potestio is a staffing agency focused on creative and marketing roles. The firm offers staffing solutions for companies in industries like advertising, design, and content creation. 

Mathys + Potestio provides tailored staffing solutions that range from freelance and project-based roles to permanent placements. It brings a reputation for understanding the unique demands of the creative field. 

3. Aquent

Aquent is a global staffing agency specializing in marketing, design, and digital talent. Known for their industry expertise and rigorous candidate vetting, Aquent helps companies access top creative professionals who bring fresh ideas and innovative skills. 

Its talent pool includes web designers, UX/UI specialists, and digital marketing experts, enabling businesses to enhance their digital presence and engage audiences effectively. 

Aquent’s flexibility and deep knowledge of the creative landscape makes it an ideal choice for brands seeking high-quality creative talent.

Manufacturing and industrial

1. Aerotek

Aerotek is a staffing agency with a strong focus on manufacturing, industrial, and engineering roles. It specializes in connecting skilled laborers and technicians with employers in need of expertise in areas like production, assembly, and quality control. 

Aerotek’s commitment to safety, compliance, and candidate quality makes it a top choice for manufacturing companies.

2. PeopleReady

PeopleReady is known for its specialization in industrial staffing. It has vast experience providing companies with a flexible workforce for roles in construction, warehousing, and logistics. 

Its ability to scale quickly and supply workers on demand makes it ideal for industries with seasonal or project-based staffing needs. 

PeopleReady’s emphasis on safety and skill matching ensures that clients receive reliable workers who meet industry standards, even for short-term assignments.

3. Kelly Services

Kelly Services offers staffing solutions for the manufacturing and industrial sectors. The firm pays special focus on roles like machine operators, logistics managers, and supply chain professionals. 

Kelly Services is well-regarded for its ability to provide tailored staffing solutions, helping companies optimize their operations with skilled, dependable workers. 

Factors to consider when choosing a staffing agency

Selecting the right staffing agency requires careful evaluation to ensure they meet your business’s specific needs. 

Here are some key factors to consider:

Industry expertise

Look for an agency that has a deep understanding of your industry’s unique requirements. Industry-specific staffing agencies have access to candidate pools with relevant skills and experience, making them more likely to find the right fit quickly.

Candidate quality and screening process

Review the agency’s process for vetting and screening candidates. 

Reputable agencies conduct rigorous background checks, skills assessments, and interviews to ensure that candidates are both qualified and reliable.

Range of services offered

Some agencies offer additional services like payroll management, workforce consulting, and compliance support. Consider an agency that provides value-added services that align with your hiring and workforce management needs.

Reputation and client reviews

Research reviews and testimonials from other clients to gauge the agency’s reliability and the quality of candidates they provide. 

A strong track record with positive feedback indicates that the agency consistently meets client expectations.

Flexibility and customization

Staffing needs can vary significantly from one business to another, so a flexible agency that can tailor its services to your needs is often the best choice. Agencies that provide customized solutions can better meet unique requirements, such as urgent or project-based hiring.

5 Benefits of working with the best staffing agencies

Partnering with a top-tier staffing agency brings several advantages, allowing companies to enhance their talent acquisition strategy and achieve greater efficiency.

These benefits include the following:

1. Cost savings

Staffing agencies can save companies significant resources by handling the recruitment process, including job postings, candidate sourcing, and screening. 

Additionally, temporary staffing solutions reduce the cost of long-term employee benefits, especially for short-term projects.

2. Access to specialized talent

The best staffing agencies provide access to talent pools that would be difficult to reach through standard job postings. This is especially valuable for roles that require niche skills or specialized experience.

3. Reduced time to hire

With a ready pool of pre-screened candidates, staffing agencies can fill positions faster than internal hiring teams. 

By reducing time to hire, agencies help companies maintain productivity levels and reduce operational disruptions.

4. Flexibility in workforce scaling

Temporary staffing allows companies to quickly scale their workforce up or down according to demand. Agencies can provide additional staff for peak periods or special projects and downsize when business slows.

5. Simplified administrative processes

Many staffing agencies handle payroll, compliance, and employee benefits for temporary hires. Taking this function reduces the administrative workload for the company. 

This is especially beneficial for businesses that need a flexible workforce but lack the resources to manage onboarding and payroll.