How do you onboard a contractor?

Before they arrive, arrange for orientation paperwork such as the I-9, W-4, or W-9. You may also want an employee handbook for contract workers, along with any benefits information. Also, set up team introductions, share the company vision, and then begin with specific training on the tasks that are needed.

What is contractor onboarding?

This is the process for temporary employees, contract workers, and freelancers to get acclimated to your company, culture, and priorities. It should cover the tasks they will be working on in addition to access to software, compensation paperwork, and other considerations to help them do their job well.

Is onboarding important for staffing and contract employees?

Onboarding helps improve employee retention . Gallup cites SHRM, the society for human resource management, on the statistic that employee turnover can be as much as 50% in the first 18 months. It’s important for your contract employees to get a glimpse of your culture and priorities so they can be productive while working for your company.

Are staffing agencies worth it?

Staffing agencies are all different. They can specialize in certain placements, such as tech or medical or general office. They can focus on direct placements or short-term projects or some combination of both. They have the potential to save you time and money during the hiring process. It all depends on the agency you use, their past history of success, and if they attract the type of contractors you need.

What are the benefits of staffing agencies?

Staffing agencies provide short-term and seasonal work to lessen the burden of employing full-time workers who may only be needed for a few short months. Staffing agencies also mitigate the risk of making a bad hire, and gives you greater access to talent, allowing you to fill positions faster.

What are the cons of staffing agencies?

When you use a staffing agency, the incoming contract worker may not fit your company culture, and very often, no one has spoken to the candidate before they appear for work. Companies often do not know the full work background of a staffing employee. And because of the short-term nature of staffing, the training may be incomplete.

What questions should I ask when choosing a staffing agency?

Ask about their experience, interview-to-hire ratio, their certifications and their onboarding process. Ask for any referrals or case studies from other clients to judge the staffing agency.

How can you review the staffing agency’s record with previous clients?

If you ask the agency, they will refer you to testimonials on their website—which they have already curated—or put you in touch with a previous client that they know had a fantastic result. This can be helpful, but you may also want to contact those past clients directly. Sites like Glassdoor, TrustRadius, or other review sites, like Best Staffing Agencies , may also help.

Find the best staffing agency in Boston

There are more than 20,000 staffing agencies in the United States. We've developed a free ranking algorithm to grade staffing agencies on a wide set of factors. You'll find the very best staffing agency in Boston to help you, and reduce your risk of an unsuccessful hire.

The Top 11 Staffing Agencies in Boston in 2024

Hiring excellent employees—whether part-time, full-time, or temporary—is an essential step for business success. But as an employer, finding those employees could be challenging. Fortunately, you can enlist a Boston staffing agency to fill vacancies in every area of your company.

In Boston, tons of temp agencies offer their services and promise to find you the perfect new hire. But how can you find the right agency to meet your needs? Our Boston staffing guide covers all the details and the top staffing agencies in Boston.

1. Toptal

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Toptal boasts a wide array of the industry’s elite tech and business talent, but it is unlike many other staffing agencies. Most of their talent work remotely from across the world. Initially conceived as freelance marketplace, Toptal has evolved as a preferred staffing destination for leading Fortune 500 companies to bring in the very best. Toptal began with only tech experts, but, over the years, they expanded their network to include finance experts, designers, and more. Companies are paired with a talent matcher who then finds the best talent for that company, working on hourly, part-time, or full-time contracts.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

2010

CEO:

Taso Du Val

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Global

2. Robert Half

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Robert Half offers businesses a full spectrum of specialized staffing and consulting solutions. They also help candidates find career opportunities where they can fit and thrive.
The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: RHI) and is a member of the S&P 500 index. It has been recognized nationally for its work.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1948

CEO:

Harold Messmer Jr

Areas of specialities:

General

Served Regions:

Global

3. Adecco

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Adecco is one of the world’s largest human resource and staffing firms. Adecco connects thousands of professionals with some of the top global employers. Adecco has more than 50 years of experience in staffing and recruitment. Adecco services talent requirements across accounting, marketing, hospitality, customer service, retail, administrative, manufacturing, and other fields.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1996

CEO:

Alain Dehaze

Areas of specialities:

General

Served Regions:

Global

4. Aerotek

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Aerotek began as an engineering staffing solution for aerospace and defense industries. These roots are what gave the company its name. Aerotek is ranked as one of the largest staffing firms in the U.S. for engineering and clinical/scientific industries. Staffing Industry Analysts has named Aerotek as one of the largest staffing firms for accounting and financing.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1983

CEO:

Todd M. Mohr

Areas of specialities:

General

Served Regions:

Global

5. Snelling Staffing Services

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Since 1951, Snelling has offered innovative staffing and recruitment solutions. Their commitment to both client and candidate success is the driving force behind their longevity. By combining award-winning history with industry-leading technology, their experts have what it takes to solve your complex staffing challenges.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1951

CEO:

Lee Elkinson

Areas of specialities:

Healthcare, Human Resources

Served Regions:

U.S.-only

6. Insight Global

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Insight Global is a premier provider of employment and staffing solutions to several Fortune 1000 customers across the United States and Canada. They provide long-term contracts, short-term contracts, temporary-to-permanent, direct placement, and enhanced staffing services.
Insight Global specializes in placing contract job seekers into information technology, accounting and finance, engineering (non-IT), and government jobs. Since their inception in 2001, they have experienced growth within their industry, rapidly expanding from an Atlanta-based start-up to one of the most successful staffing firms in America.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

2001

CEO:

Bert Bean

Areas of specialities:

General

Served Regions:

Global

7. Aquent

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Aquent is known for assisting some of the world’s largest, most innovative brands and is a team ready to tackle any challenge with speed and determination. They work diligently to understand your specific goals and to help you hire permanent, temp to perm, freelance, embedded, or outsourced help that delivers breakthrough customer experience.
By aligning their account services team by industry, Aquent delivers quick, effective solutions by identifying the talent who will already understand your exact needs. Their network of high-quality, innovating talent covers dozens of digital marketing roles, including UX, digital marketing, and more.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1986

CEO:

John Chuang

Areas of specialities:

Design & Creative, Human Resources, Marketing

Served Regions:

Global

8. Jobspring Partners

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Jobspring Partners offers deep expertise in the highest demand tech skill sets, such as UI/UX, open source, mobile, Microsoft development, data science, AI, DevOps/Infrastructure, and network security. Their high-touch, highly specialized teams, create rich networks and amass in-depth knowledge of localized technology markets; resulting in a truly consultative approach and an exemplary track record of results.
Jobspring Partners for contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire can be found across the country. They currently have offices in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Charlotte, Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, and Toronto.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1989

CEO:

Beth Gilfeather

Areas of specialities:

Engineering, IT

Served Regions:

U.S.-only

9. Mondo

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With nearly two decades of experience and offices nationwide, Mondo helps candidates find full-time, freelance, or contractual work with some of the best organizations. They have a high fulfillment rate and a fast fill time. They help solve the most challenging talent gaps at midsize to enterprise-level companies, along with recently VC-funded startups facing mass hiring challenges and organizations facing hiring needs.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

2000

CEO:

Tim Johnson

Areas of specialities:

Design & Creative, Marketing

Served Regions:

U.S.-only

10. Kforce

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Kforce provides excellent results through strategic partnership and knowledge sharing. As a leading staffing services firm specializing in technology, finance, and accounting, Kforce fully engages its network of professionals. They have successfully fulfilled contract jobs and direct hire needs for thousands of employers, including a high number from the Fortune 100.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1962

CEO:

David Dunkel

Areas of specialities:

Finance, Healthcare, IT

Served Regions:

Global

11. Randstad

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Randstad has earned a reputation for combining innovative HR technology with human insight to power solutions like on-site management, RPO, and outplacement services. They take a personal approach to technology consulting and deliver solutions for the projects and challenges your IT organization is facing.
Randstad provides independent studies of employers and employees and gathers objective workforce data to help you understand the workforce and propel your business.

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YEAR OF FOUNDATION:

1960

CEO:

Jacques van den Broek

Areas of specialities:

General

Served Regions:

Global

Boston Staffing Guide

What Does a Staffing Company Do?

A staffing company takes the guesswork out of hiring new staff. No matter the role, an employment agency can find you a number of qualified candidates. While the hiring decision is ultimately yours, the staffing agency handles steps like:

Advertising the job opening
Recruiting candidates from past placements
Screening applicants for qualifications and work history
Running background checks
Confirming availability and extending job offers
Providing follow-up once staff is on the job

Rather than navigating the hiring process on your own, you can hire a Boston staffing agency to handle the nitty-gritty of the hiring process.

How Much Do Staffing Agencies Charge Companies in Boston?

Staffing agency fees vary widely, so it’s challenging to give an exact figure for Boston-area agencies. Variations in cost depend on:

The number of positions you need to fill
The position’s minimum qualifications. Roles with degree requirements may involve more effort to fill.
Your industry or niche
How competitive the job market is
The current unemployment rate—the lower it is, the harder it is to hire staff

Your best bet is to obtain quotes from any staffing agencies you are interested in before committing to one.

How Are Staffing Agencies Paid?

An employment agency in Boston earns its income from you, the employer. Because the agency is acting on your behalf to recruit and place candidates, you will owe them a fee.

The exact cost will vary, and many agencies have their own fee structures. You might pay a flat rate for each type of service. For example, a set amount for background checks or a sliding fee for recruitment depends on the qualifications for the role.

In other cases, employers pay a percentage of the new hire’s salary. Such a fee tends to apply when hiring full-time, long-term employees, of course. If things don’t work out, of course, a refund may be in order—or the agency will recruit a new applicant for the job.

Is It Worth Going to a Temp Agency?

For many employers, hiring a temp agency to handle staffing is a lifesaver. Instead of hiring—or delegating duties to—an HR staff, you’re outsourcing a necessary business function.

The expense of hiring HR staff—or at the very least, a recruiter—far outweighs the price you’ll pay with any Boston-area staffing agency. Plus, not every employment agency stops working for you once they find a worker for your vacancy.

Many agencies offer post-hiring support, such as assistance with employees who turn out to be a poor fit. If you need a rotating seasonal or otherwise temporary staff, your agency will be able to move quickly to place workers.

Whatever your primary motivation for hiring an employment agency in Boston, there are countless other benefits to consider, too.

Unfortunately, a handful of positive reviews and a great website aren’t the only things a staffing agency needs to prove they’re the best out there. For this reason, we offer comprehensive reviews of staffing agencies to help you make the right decision.

Should Employers Hire Staffing Agencies in Boston?

It is an excellent move to hire staffing agencies in Boston. Rather than stressing over filling a vacant position, you can worry about running your business.

Plus, Boston, MA, is a highly-populated area with plenty of competition. Allowing experts in staffing to locate and place workers saves you time, frustration, and money.

How Can Employers Choose a Staffing Agency to Work With?

Choosing a staffing agency to work with can be a headache. There’s more to selecting the right agency than reading online reviews or asking colleagues for recommendations.

While our formula factors multiple elements into the decision equation, here are the top considerations for sourcing the best staffing agency possible.

Narrow down the options by industry or niche. Depending on your industry, you might need to choose a specialized employment agency. For example, in highly technical industries, it can be challenging to find well-qualified candidates. The right agency will have the appropriate tools and resources to connect you with worthwhile applicants.

Decide what types of services you need. Some companies need to hire quickly, so their priority is selecting from a pool of pre-screened workers. But other companies prefer personalized recruiting strategies for specific types of staff. You might want follow-up services post-placement, too, especially if you plan to keep workers long-term.

Confirm the agency’s credibility. Employment agencies must follow specific licensing requirements in Massachusetts. Boston staffing agencies must either possess an employment agency license or register as a placement agency, according to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Both licenses and registration (these are separate entities) must be renewed yearly, and you can check the license status on the state website.

Check out reviews and client feedback. Reading online reviews and sourcing client feedback can help you determine whether an agency is a good fit. It’s also a good idea to contact the agency directly and ask questions specific to your industry and vacancies. You can get a feel for the expertise and professionalism of the agency this way, too.

What Jobs Are in Demand in Boston?

If you’re thinking about starting a new business—or moving to the Boston area—you’ll want to know what types of jobs are popular.

The most in-demand jobs in Boston, according to Glassdoor, are:

Software Engineer
Retail Sales Associate
Registered Nurse
Store Manager
Customer Service Representative
Product Manager
Business Analyst
Systems Engineer
Financial Analyst
Accountant

What is the Job Market Like in Boston?

The unemployment rate in Boston can impact your recruitment efforts in significant ways. If the rate is extremely low, it could be hard to find talent for your company’s openings. You might need to offer more competitive benefits packages, for example, to fill a role.

On the other hand, a high unemployment rate means a lot of competition for your company’s open jobs. At the same time, that doesn’t mean you’ll have a ton of well-qualified applicants in the pool of potential staff.

As of March 2020, the unemployment rate in the Boston area was a low 2.4 percent. In comparison, the nationwide unemployment rate averaged 4.4 percent in March of 2020.

The effects of COVID-19 caused the unemployment rate to skyrocket in 2020, however, just like in the rest of the country.

Business Climate in Boston

In Massachusetts, the corporate tax rate hovers around 8 percent, similar to areas like California and Washington, DC. Other states have much lower corporate tax rates, making Boston and its surrounding areas a bit unfriendly toward big businesses.

However, higher tax rates haven’t discouraged many large companies from establishing their headquarters in and around Boston.

Large Companies and Industries in Boston

While many employees work for the government in the Boston-Cambridge-Nashua area, many other industries employ hundreds of thousands of workers.

The most workers are found in industries such as:

Education and Health Services
Professional and Business Services
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities
Leisure and Hospitality
Manufacturing
Financial Activities

The largest companies in Boston include:

General Electric
Liberty Mutual
State Street
Fidelity Investments
Iron Mountain
Civitas Solutions
National Mentor Holdings
Boston Consulting Group
Giraffe Holding
Bain & Company

What Are the Best Companies to Work for in Boston?

According to employee reviews on Glassdoor, the best companies to work for in Boston are:

Hubspot
Bain & Company
Boston Consulting Group
Trader Joe’s
MathWorks
Power Home Remodeling
Microsoft
McKinsey & Company
Keller Williams
Wegmans Food Markets
Compass
Salesforce
Kronos Incorporated

Major Employment Hubs of the City of Boston

The city of Boston is a major employment hub and a growing one at that. Boston is growing about 1.1 percent each year, with a population of almost 700,000. However, the greater Boston region (the Boston-Cambridge-Newton-MA-NH area) was home to over 4.5 million people as of 2017.

While the population continues to grow, so have jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that the Boston area’s employment rate grew 5.4 percent from 2017 to 2018.

Conclusion: Consider a Boston Staffing Agency When Hiring

A well-qualified, professional, and driven staff is crucial for your company’s success. But rather than spend hours writing up job descriptions, screening applications, and flipping through resumes, you can outsource those duties to a Boston staffing agency.

The right employment agency in Boston can fill your company’s vacancies quickly—and with the most qualified candidates possible. Start here with the top staffing agencies in Boston, MA, and find the perfect fit for your business.

See below to search for a specialized staffing agency in Boston