Top 3 Picks
2026 Outlook
The staffing sector is projected to expand through 2026, driven by technological advancements like AI in recruitment and the growing need for remote and temporary workers in a post-pandemic world. Analysts anticipate a compound annual growth rate of around 5-7% globally, fueled by demographic shifts and business digitalization, though potential economic downturns could introduce volatility. By 2026, companies that leverage data analytics and automation are expected to outperform, positioning the sector for resilient long-term growth despite cyclical risks.
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Stock | Score | Price | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Barrett Business Services
|
66.7 | $37.23 | $1.1B |
|
2
|
Insperity, Inc
|
66.2 | $42.26 | $1.9B |
|
3
|
ManpowerGroup
|
64.8 | $29.92 | $1.8B |
|
4
|
Tema Electrification ETF
|
64.1 | $29.81 | -- |
|
5
|
Kelly Services Inc
|
62.2 | $8.68 | $463M |
|
6
|
Star Equity Holdings, Inc. 10% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock
|
61.7 | $9.35 | -- |
|
7
|
BGSF, Inc.
|
60.6 | $4.96 | $52M |
|
8
|
Robert Half Inc.
|
59.7 | $26.92 | $3.5B |
|
9
|
Cross Country Healthcare Inc
|
56.9 | $8.51 | $451M |
|
10
|
HireQuest, Inc. Common Stock (DE)
|
55.4 | $10.93 | $135M |
|
11
|
DLH Holdings Corp.
|
55.2 | $5.60 | $82M |
|
12
|
Star Equity Holdings, Inc. Common Stock
|
54.2 | $10.67 | $39M |
|
13
|
Trueblue, Inc.
|
54.1 | $4.70 | $189M |
|
14
|
TTEC Holdings, Inc. Common Stock
|
54.0 | $3.62 | $166M |
|
15
|
Kforce Inc.
|
53.4 | $31.90 | $561M |
In-Depth Analysis: Top Staffing Stocks
BBSI
Barrett Business Services Inc is a provider of payroll administrative services and staffing services. The company categories of services include professional employer services and staffing. Professional employer services offer payroll management, payroll tax services, and workers' compensation coverage solutions, as well as workforce management services, including hiring and termination of employees. Staffing offers temporary staffing services, as well as contract …
Barrett Business Services Inc. matters in the Staffing sector as it delivers specialized payroll administrative and staffing services, including professional employer services that streamline workforce management for businesses. Its focus on payroll management, tax services, and workers' compensation coverage positions BBSI as a key player in helping companies navigate regulatory and operational complexities amid growing labor demands.
BBSI's 4.5% profit margin indicates moderate profitability, but this is bolstered by a strong 24.1% ROE, demonstrating efficient use of equity to generate returns. The 10.0% revenue growth further underscores solid financial health, suggesting the company is effectively expanding its operations while maintaining earnings stability.
Investors should consider buying BBSI stock in 2026 given its 10.0% revenue growth, which signals sustained demand for staffing services in a potentially recovering economy. The P/E ratio of 17.5 offers an attractive valuation compared to industry peers, providing opportunities for capital appreciation. Additionally, the 24.1% ROE highlights BBSI's ability to deliver strong shareholder returns, making it a promising investment in the evolving Staffing sector.
NSP
Insperity Inc is a company that provides a wide range of human resources and business solutions designed to help businesses improve their performance. Small and midsize enterprises are the company's primary target customers. Majority of the company's products are offered through the company's Workforce Optimization and Workforce Synchronization solutions, which comprise various human resource functions, such as payroll and employment …
Insperity Inc. matters in the Staffing sector by providing specialized HR and business solutions that enable small and midsize enterprises to optimize workforce management and enhance performance, addressing a critical need for efficient staffing in a competitive market.
Insperity's profit margin of 0.2% reflects slim profitability, potentially due to high operational costs in the HR services space, but its ROE of 16.0% indicates efficient equity utilization and strong returns for shareholders, supported by a modest revenue growth of 4.0%.
Insperity's steady revenue growth of 4.0% positions it for potential expansion in the staffing sector by 2026, driven by increasing demand for HR solutions amid economic recovery. The company's ROE of 16.0% highlights operational efficiency that could improve profitability as margins expand. Additionally, with a Tradestie Score of 66.2/100, the stock may offer upside if the high P/E ratio of 80.5 is justified by accelerating growth in workforce management services.
MAN
ManpowerGroup Inc. is engaged in providing workforce solutions and services. The company provides services that include Recruitment and Assessment, Upskilling, Reskilling, Training and Development, Career Management, Outsourcing, and Workforce Consulting. The reportable segments of the company are Staffing and Interim, Outcome-Based Solutions and Consulting, Permanent Recruitment, and Others. The Staffing and Interim segment derives the maximum of the company's revenue. …
ManpowerGroup Inc. matters in the Staffing sector as a leading global provider of comprehensive workforce solutions, including recruitment, upskilling, reskilling, and outsourcing, which address critical business needs amid evolving labor markets. Its reportable segments enable it to influence industry standards and support economic recovery through tailored services.
ManpowerGroup's negative profit margin of -0.1% and ROE of -1.0% indicate current unprofitability and inefficient use of equity, signaling financial challenges in the short term. However, the company's revenue growth of 2.3% demonstrates modest expansion, while a Tradestie Score of 64.8/100 suggests moderate overall financial health with potential for improvement.
ManpowerGroup's 2.3% revenue growth positions it to capitalize on increasing demand for staffing services in a recovering economy, particularly with its emphasis on upskilling and reskilling amid digital transformation trends by 2026. The Tradestie Score of 64.8/100 indicates a solid foundation for potential profitability turnaround, as sector growth projections could enhance margins. Investors should consider buying this stock for long-term gains, given the company's strategic services that align with future workforce needs projected to expand significantly by 2026.
VOLT
Tema Electrification ETF is a key player in the Staffing sector with a Tradestie Score of 64.1.
The company maintains a solid financial position in the competitive Staffing landscape.
With a score of 64.1, VOLT ranks among the top Staffing stocks for 2026. Investors may find value in its market position and growth potential.
KELYA
Kelly Services Inc is a provider of workforce solutions and consulting, and staffing services. The company's operations are divided into four business segments, namely Professional & Industrial, Science, Education, Outsourcing & Consulting Group, and International. Other than OCG, each segment delivers talent through staffing services, permanent placement, or outcome-based services. OCG segment delivers talent solutions, including managed service providers, payroll …
Kelly Services Inc matters in the Staffing sector as a diversified provider of workforce solutions across segments like Professional & Industrial, Science, Education, and International, enabling it to address talent needs in multiple industries globally. This broad reach positions the company as a key player in adapting to evolving labor market demands, including outsourcing and consulting services.
Kelly Services' negative profit margin of -3.6% and return on equity of -13.1% highlight challenges in generating profits and utilizing shareholder equity effectively, potentially due to sector-wide pressures. The -9.9% revenue growth further indicates declining sales, underscoring the need for operational improvements to enhance financial health.
By 2026, investors should consider buying KELYA stock as the staffing sector is poised for recovery amid potential economic growth and labor shortages, which could increase demand for Kelly's specialized services in segments like Science and Education. The company's Tradestie Score of 62.2/100 reflects moderate upside potential, supported by its international operations that may benefit from global expansion opportunities. Additionally, strategic diversification could enable Kelly to outperform peers as workforce trends shift toward flexible and outsourced solutions.
STRRP
Star Equity Holdings Inc is a diversified holding company currently composed of three business divisions: Building Solutions, Energy Services, and Investments.
Star Equity Holdings Inc., through its diversified portfolio including Investments, provides indirect exposure to the staffing sector by potentially allocating resources to human capital-intensive industries, offering investors a stable preferred stock option amid sector volatility. As a holding company, its 10% Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (STRRP) ensures a fixed dividend, making it a noteworthy choice for income-focused investors seeking diversification beyond pure staffing firms.
With a Tradestie Score of 61.7/100, Star Equity Holdings demonstrates moderate financial health, indicating a balanced profitability profile despite limited available data that suggests potential challenges in maintaining consistent earnings across its divisions. This score reflects a company that is neither highly profitable nor at immediate risk, positioning STRRP as a cautiously viable income vehicle based on its dividend structure.
By 2026, STRRP could appeal to investors due to anticipated growth in Star Equity's Building Solutions and Energy Services divisions, driven by increasing demand for infrastructure and sustainable energy projects that may boost overall cash flows and support the 10% dividend yield. Additionally, as a cumulative perpetual preferred stock, it offers priority in dividend payments and potential capital preservation during market fluctuations, making it attractive for risk-averse portfolios. Economic recovery trends post-2024 could further enhance the Investments division's performance, indirectly benefiting staffing-related exposures and increasing the stock's appeal.
BGSF
BGSF Inc is a national provider of consulting, managed services, and professional workforce solutions. two segments: Property Management and Professional. In the Property Management segment is a provider of office and maintenance talent. The Professional segment provides IT professionals with expertise in SAP, Workday, Peoplesoft, Hyperion, Oracle, One Stream, cyber, project management, managed services, and other IT workforce solutions to …
BGSF Inc. matters in the Staffing sector as a national provider specializing in Property Management and Professional segments, delivering essential office, maintenance, and IT talent solutions that address critical workforce needs in real estate and technology industries. Its diversified services position it as a key player supporting businesses amid evolving labor market demands.
BGSF's profitability is weak, evidenced by a -4.3% profit margin and -11.6% ROE, indicating operational losses and poor returns on shareholder equity that signal financial strain. The -9.8% revenue growth further underscores declining business activity, potentially exacerbated by sector-wide challenges in staffing demand.
By 2026, investors may find BGSF attractive due to anticipated recovery in the staffing sector, particularly in IT professionals where demand is expected to grow with technological advancements, potentially reversing the -9.8% revenue decline. The company's Tradestie Score of 60.6 suggests moderate investment potential, offering upside if economic conditions improve and specialized segments capitalize on labor shortages. Additionally, operational efficiencies or market expansions could enhance profitability, turning around the current negative metrics like the -4.3% profit margin.
RHI
Robert Half Inc was founded in 1948, Robert Half provides temporary, permanent, and outcome-based staffing for both in-person and remote positions in the finance and accounting, technology, legal, marketing, and administrative fields. Its subsidiary consulting arm, Protiviti, specializes in technology, risk, auditing, and compliance matters. The firm generates its sales inside the U.S. and is one of the specialized firms …
Robert Half Inc. is a pioneering force in the staffing sector, having operated since 1948 and providing comprehensive temporary, permanent, and outcome-based staffing solutions across finance, accounting, technology, legal, marketing, and administrative fields, which positions it as a key player in addressing diverse talent needs amid evolving work dynamics. Its subsidiary, Protiviti, enhances its relevance by offering specialized consulting in technology, enabling the company to deliver integrated services that support businesses in digital transformation and risk management.
Despite a low profit margin of 2.9%, indicating tight cost controls in a competitive sector, Robert Half's ROE of 11.3% demonstrates moderate efficiency in generating returns on shareholder equity, suggesting financial stability amid challenges. However, the -7.5% revenue growth reflects recent economic headwinds, though the P/E ratio of 17.8 implies the stock is reasonably valued compared to peers, offering potential for recovery.
By 2026, Robert Half could benefit from a rebound in staffing demand as economic conditions improve, potentially reversing the -7.5% revenue decline and leveraging its diversified services in high-growth areas like technology and remote work. The company's established market position and Protiviti's tech consulting expertise position it to capitalize on digital transformation trends, with a Tradestie Score of 59.7 indicating moderate upside potential for investors seeking exposure to the staffing sector's recovery. Additionally, the 11.3% ROE suggests efficient capital use, making it an attractive buy for those anticipating long-term growth in talent solutions.
CCRN
Cross Country Healthcare Inc is a provider of total talent management services, including strategic workforce solutions, contingent staffing, permanent placement and consultative services for healthcare customers. The company operates in two business segments: the nurse and allied staffing segment, which generates a vast majority of revenue, offers temporary and permanent placements of travel and local nurses and allied professionals, and …
Cross Country Healthcare Inc matters in the Staffing sector as a specialized provider of healthcare talent management services, addressing critical workforce shortages through its nurse and allied staffing segments, which serve hospitals and healthcare facilities amid growing demand for skilled professionals.
Cross Country Healthcare's negative profit margin of -1.4% and ROE of -3.8% highlight ongoing profitability challenges and inefficient use of equity, signaling financial strain in a competitive staffing market. The -20.6% revenue growth further underscores recent operational difficulties, as reflected in a moderate Tradestie Score of 56.9/100, indicating potential risks to long-term financial health.
Investors should consider CCRN in 2026 due to anticipated rebounds in healthcare staffing demand, driven by an aging population and potential policy changes that could increase the need for nurse and allied professionals, positioning the company for revenue recovery. The firm's strategic focus on total talent solutions may enable it to capture market share as economic conditions improve, potentially reversing the -20.6% revenue decline. Additionally, with a Tradestie Score of 56.9/100 suggesting moderate investment appeal, CCRN could offer undervalued opportunities for long-term growth in the evolving staffing sector.
HQI
HireQuest Inc is a nationwide franchisor of offices providing direct-dispatch, executive search, and commercial staffing solutions in the light industrial and blue-collar segments of the staffing industry and traditional commercial staffing. The company's franchisees provide various types of temporary personnel through two business models operating under the trade names HireQuest Direct, HireQuest, Snelling, DriverQuest, HireQuest Health, Northbound Executive Search, and …
HireQuest Inc. matters in the Staffing sector as a nationwide franchisor specializing in light industrial and blue-collar staffing solutions, including direct-dispatch and executive search services, which address critical workforce demands in a fragmented market dominated by temporary labor needs.
HireQuest's 21.9% profit margin and 11.1% ROE indicate strong profitability and efficient equity utilization, reflecting solid financial health despite recent challenges; however, the -9.8% revenue growth signals potential short-term headwinds, balanced by a P/E ratio of 20.6 that suggests reasonable valuation relative to earnings.
By 2026, HireQuest could benefit from an anticipated economic recovery in the staffing industry, potentially reversing its -9.8% revenue growth and leveraging its 21.9% profit margin for sustained earnings; the company's franchise model positions it for expansion in blue-collar segments, and with a Tradestie Score of 55.4, it offers a moderate-risk opportunity for investors seeking sector rebound plays.
Methodology
Stocks are ranked using the Tradestie Score, a proprietary 0-100 rating that combines fundamental quality (profitability, balance sheet strength), growth metrics (revenue and earnings growth), valuation (P/E, PEG ratio), and momentum factors. Scores are updated daily based on the latest market data. Learn more about our methodology.