The big picture: The American Staffing Association's Staffing Index increased in July 2026, reflecting an uptick in staffing employment across the U.S. This marks continued expansion in the contingent workforce sector.

Why it matters: This sustained growth indicates resilient demand for flexible labor, providing key insights into broader economic health and talent acquisition strategies for corporate and staffing leaders.

Between the lines:

• The ASA Staffing Index rose 0.6% to a rounded value of 90 for the week of July 13–19.
• Staffing jobs were 3.7% higher compared to the same period last year, a slight dip from the 4.6% year-over-year growth recorded the previous week.
• New starts also saw an increase during the 29th week of the year.

Staffing & HR impact: Continued index growth suggests a stable demand environment for staffing firms, potentially supporting recruiter mobility and healthy gross margins. HR leaders should note the sustained reliance on flexible talent as a core workforce strategy.

The bottom line: While the market continues to expand, the slight deceleration in year-over-year growth bears watching for any emerging shifts in labor demand.