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Temporary Jobs to Grow 13 Percent Over the Next Five Years, According to New Research from CareerBuilder

Study Identifies Hot Occupations and Metros for Temporary Employment

CHICAGO – March 5, 2015 – Is the growth in temporary jobs here to stay? Temporary help services was among the first industries to add jobs when the recession officially ended, growing 15 percent from 2009 to 2010 and 57 percent from 2009 to 2014.

Nearly 3 million people are employed in temporary jobs today, and new analysis from CareerBuilder shows that number will continue to rise in 2015 and beyond. Temporary employment is expected to grow 3 percent (75,384 jobs) from 2014 to 2015 and 13 percent (354,877 jobs) from 2014 to 2019.

The study is based on data from Economic Modeling Specialists Intl (EMSI), CareerBuilder’s labor market analysis arm that pulls data from over 90 national and state employment resources.

“Temporary employment will continue on an upward trajectory as companies look for ways to quickly adapt to market dynamics,” said Eric Gilpin, President of CareerBuilder’s Staffing & Recruiting and Healthcare divisions. “Two in five U.S. employers expect to hire temporary or contract workers this year, which opens new doors for workers who want to build relationships with different organizations and explore career options.”

CareerBuilder compiled a list of fast-growing occupations for temporary employment from 2014 to 2019, and a list of metros with the greatest concentration of temporary jobs today. Among occupations that pay less than $15 per hour*, temporary employment is expected to grow in double digits in a variety of areas:

Occupation

Temp Jobs (2014)

Temp Jobs (2019)

% Change (2014 - 2019)

Median Hourly Earnings

Home Health Aides

17,822

20,420

15%

$10.12

Gaming Dealers

1,524

1,744

14%

$9.22

Childcare Workers

3,166

3,618

14%

$9.81

Cooks, Restaurant

2,978

3,396

14%

$10.73

Substitute Teachers

29,061

33,099

14%

$13.00

Demonstrators and Product Promoters

5,762

6,549

14%

$12.26

Retail Salespersons

16,840

19,114

14%

$10.13

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

15,275

17,328

13%

$11.73

Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

1,554

1,762

13%

$11.28

Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

18,140

20,547

13%

$10.07

Pharmacy Technicians

3,280

3,693

13%

$14.47

Bakers

1,206

1,327

10%

$11.22

Among occupations that pay $15 or more per hour*, hot areas for temporary employment include:

Occupation

Temp Jobs (2014)

Temp Jobs (2019)

% Change (2014 - 2019)

Median Hourly Earnings

Computer Systems Analysts

11,802

14,024

19%

$39.15

Accountants and Auditors

11,130

12,654

14%

$31.40

Management Analysts

10,923

12,418

14%

$38.49

Computer User Support Specialists

19,597

22,276

14%

$22.68

Software Developers, Applications

11,698

13,292

14%

$44.95

Customer Service Representatives

88,610

100,642

14%

$15.02

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

25,075

28,479

14%

$18.67

Registered Nurses

46,052

52,296

14%

$32.60

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

23,806

27,027

14%

$17.26

Machinists

21,493

24,391

13%

$19.07

Construction Laborers

50,505

57,275

13%

$15.61

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

68,486

77,660

13%

$15.89

Twenty metro areas have a concentration of temporary jobs that is greater than the 2 percent national average, with major manufacturing cities leading the way. The top ten metros with the highest percentage of temporary jobs in relation to overall employment are:

Metro

Total Workforce 2014

Temp Workforce 2014

% Share of Temp Jobs

Memphis, TN-MS-AR

610,952

30,816

5.0%

Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI

523,078

24,739

4.7%

Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN

984,359

38,530

3.9%

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

4,413,345

150,809

3.4%

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

884,210

30,134

3.4%

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

2,431,278

77,080

3.2%

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN

620,763

19,304

3.1%

Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

3,288,169

99,325

3.0%

Columbus, OH

990,849

29,908

3.0%

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI

841,991

24,299

2.9%

In a separate CareerBuilder and Harris Poll study, 46 percent of employers reported that they plan to hire temporary or contract workers in 2015, up from 42 percent last year. Of these employers, more than half (56 percent) plan to transition some temporary or contract workers into full-time, permanent roles.

*Median hourly earnings covers anyone working in that occupation whether they are temporary or full-time, permanent staff.

About CareerBuilder®

CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract great talent. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 24 million unique visitors and 1 million jobs. CareerBuilder works with the world’s top employers, providing everything from labor market intelligence to talent management software and other recruitment solutions. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, South America, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.


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