A new study by the American Staffing Association (ASA) and LinkedIn reveals that temporary and contract workers engaged through staffing agencies are developing artificial intelligence skills at a significantly faster pace than the broader professional workforce. The analysis examined labor market data from more than 200 million U.S. LinkedIn members and approximately 500,000 individuals who have worked through staffing firms. According to the findings, temporary and contract workers added AI literacy skills at a rate 40% higher than overall LinkedIn members in 2023, rising to 46% higher by 2025.
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In addition, they were 7% more likely to add AI engineering technical skills compared with LinkedIn’s wider membership base. The data suggests that staffing professionals increasingly recognize AI expertise as a key competitive advantage in today’s evolving job market. “Staffing agency workers are embracing the AI revolution,” said Stephen Dwyer, president and chief executive officer of ASA. “Employers are looking for talent whose AI skills can give their organizations an advantage over competitors, and staffing professionals are ready to help companies build those futures.” The study also found that contract job postings on LinkedIn grew 7% year over year in 2025, continuing a steady rise since 2023.
