STAFFING IN 2006 STARTS AT A FAST PACE

According to data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

$16.41
Employees average hourly earnings across the United States.

4.7%
The unemployment rate. Dropped from 4.9% in December and is at its lowest level since July 2001 when the rate was 4.6%.

7.6%
Increase in payrolls, for temporary help firms over the same month in 2005.

14,300
Number of jobs added to the payrolls of temporary help firms in January.

193,000
Nonfarm payroll employment increase in January 2006. This was below most economists’ predictions of nearly 250,000.

2,650,000
Total number of staffing employees—the highest number recorded for the month since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the industry.

For more information see: www.bls.gov