Highlights from the report
- The U.S. staffing market is showing signs of stabilization. SIA forecasts 2% overall growth to $183.1B in 2026 – a meaningful improvement from declines of 14% in 2023, 11% in 2024, and 3% in 2025.
- Near-term demand indicators improved in the first half of 2026. Staffing hours strengthened in April and May, temporary help employment reached 2.5M in June, and employer hiring expectations rose to a nearly five-year high.
- Strong growth is projected across several staffing and recruiting segments in 2026, led by Industrial Staffing (+7%), Life Sciences (+4%), and Executive Search (+4%).
- M&A activity remains broadly steady, and the outlook is improving, especially as seller confidence strengthens. However, buyers continue to be selective – revenue and earnings quality, customer diversification, end market specialization, and technology sophistication remain key considerations for acquirers.
DISCLAIMER This presentation is intended for information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional investment advice. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the participants individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion or position of Harbor View Advisors, LLC (“HVA”). The information in this presentation was compiled from sources believed to be reliable for informational purposes only. HVA does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.
