How to Start a Temp Agency

Temp agencies and staffing centers recruit work talent on behalf of their client employers. The terms “staffing services” and “staffing firm” are the most comprehensive ways of describing this business, since both of these include all three forms of possible worker recruitment: temporary employment (possibly just a single day); direct hire (the immediate placement of full-time help); and temp-to-full-time. This last area involves delivering workers on a temporary basis who might eventually be hired full-time by your client after a trial period. Some staffing firms provide only some of these services, but most offer all three.

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Start a temp agency by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Temp Agency
  2. Form your Temp Agency into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Temp Agency for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Temp Agency
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Temp Agency
  7. Get Temp Agency Insurance
  8. Define your Temp Agency Brand
  9. Create your Temp Agency Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your temp agency. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Temp Agency Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a temp agency?

Like many small businesses, this one can be started with you as your sole employee. Unlike many business categories, however, you won’t always be able to start this one in your spare bedroom. While you won’t often be inviting clients to your office, you will need room to host prospective workers. You’ll want to sit across from them to see how they present themselves and respond to interview questions. Depending on the expected volume of applicants per recruitment call, you could receive a lot of visitors at one time. So think of square footage and location (you’ll want to make it as accessible as possible to applicants who might have to rely on public transportation).

Here’s how your annual start-up costs might break down:

Office — $5,000-10,000, but this figure is highly variable depending on your city and location within the city. Here’s a little guidance on typical costs. Depending on your type of recruitment business, you might make a deal with the owners of an underused warehouse for receiving talent, at a very low cost. If you’re recruiting doctors, engineers or other professionals, you’ll want to invest more in presentable space. However, if your professional talent base is national or even international in scope, you might conduct most of your business by email, phone and Skype, thereby greatly reducing your office needs.

Phone, business cards, website development and other office needs — Several hundred dollars, at least.

Office automation — $3,000-5,000. You’ll need not only a computer and printer, but you might also need a workstation so that applicants can fill out electronic applications. There are also payroll and HR software programs in which you’ll want to invest to streamline job searches, applications, job scheduling and payroll responsibilities.

Temp worker wages — variable. Since this will be based on prevailing local wages and your volume of placements, it’s hard to set an estimate. But remember that there could be several weeks between when you must pay the wage and you get paid by your client, unless you can command faster client payment.

Membership in local chamber and other relevant organizations –– Zero to several hundred dollars. This will depend on your client and talent pool. If you’re mostly recruiting minimum wage, temporary help, you’ll spend less than if your talent pool consists of professionals who belong to multiple organizations and have other firms competing for their services.

Advertising — Perhaps $10,000 or more. You’ll frequently post to job boards. While your clients will either reimburse those expenses or you’ll roll the cost into your fee, this is likely to be an upfront cost that won’t we reimbursed until later in the recruitment process. Here’s a look at typical job board costs, though by buying in bulk you’ll pay less. 

What are the ongoing expenses for a temp agency?

Your most significant ongoing expense will be the wages you must pay non-permanent placement workers. Remember, to the temp worker you’re the employer, not your client, and they need to be paid weekly. If you’ve contracted to be paid monthly by your client, this delay could be pricey. Consider the services of a payroll funding service such as this to cover that delay.  

Who is the target market?

Your best clients are likely to be those who regularly must hire. This might be because their business is growing so quickly they can’t keep up with hiring, or because their workforce needs fluctuate day-to-day or with the rise and fall of business conditions. In that circumstance, the client is likely to seek temp workers on a moment’s notice.

Other motivated prospects include employers who don’t have the time or resources to go through resumes and job applications or feel that they need a third-party expert opinion on hiring decisions. This might particularly be the case when employers seek highly compensated or niche talent, in which case the hiring might be a major investment.

Among the workers who’ll sign up with your agency, this will include those who are willing to work on a temporary basis while seeking eventual full-time work, as well as those who prefer the flexibility and changing environment of temp placements.

How does a temp agency make money?

For the placement of temp employees, staffing firms will take an hourly rate from the employer and pay the temp worker from that amount. For instance, the employer might pay you $25 an hour and you pay the worker $15 (minus the various withholdings such as taxes and FICA; you are the actual employer in this scenario, so you’re responsible for all payroll costs). In the case of placing a direct hire, your firm will charge a fee based on the starting annual salary of the new employee — typically 10-33 percent.

Some staffing agencies might instead provide their services free to employers and charge the workers for a hire, though this is rare today. You might also generate income by consulting with employers on recruitment and/or screening services without actually placing the candidate, in which case you’ll charge a flat rate or hourly wage.

How much can you charge customers?

The amount can vary from ten dollars an hour or so for a low wage temp worker to several tens of thousands of dollars for the direct hire of a professional.

Prevailing wages in your location and fees charged by the competition will also factor into your revenue stream.

How much profit can a temp agency make?

This expert source puts your annual earning potential at $103,000, but that’s highly variable. Your take-home pay will depend on many factors, including sales success and the compensation level of your talent pool. If you’re recruiting minimum wage factory or warehouse workers, you’ll make significantly less per placement than if you represent engineers or physicians. However, you’ll also spend less time and energy on a lower-paying placement than when representing a professional.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider adding training, resume writing and other job-aid services to your menu. For this, you might contract with large employers going through significant layoff activity who want to provide outboarding services that will help their laid off employees find work. Also consider teaming with your local community college to implement training services that will upgrade the skill set of applicants. You can generate income by taking a percentage of tuition while at the same time presenting your clients with a more work-ready workforce.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your temp agency is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your temp agency were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

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Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a temp agency. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

A temp agency  is usually run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease office space:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a temp agency.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build office space:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your temp agency will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Temp Agency needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Temp Agency.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a temp agency

Start with a professional-looking website, because that’s your calling card for employer clients. You should also join your local Chamber of Commerce, relevant trade associations or other places where networking is possible. Also, ask good clients if you can use their name as testimonials which you might place on your site or offer prospective clients.

Then figure out the best way of calling attention to applicants. This will vary depending on your talent pool. If you’re mostly hiring minimum wage day laborers or other temp workers, messaging might be as basic as leaving fliers on windshields and in coin laundries and at unemployment agencies — wherever your applicants can likely be found. If you’re seeking professional candidates, join the organizations where they can be found.

How to keep customers coming back

Your largest challenge will be standing out from your competitors. But once you’ve successfully delivered excellent job candidates to clients, they’ll remember you. That’s why it’s important to carefully screen applicants and stay in touch with clients to see how the hire is working.

Recruiting workers for your clients will often not be as difficult since they’re likely to be motivated to find employment through your services.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

You should understand the human resource side of the business, as you’ll be dealing with common HR issues, such as interviewing, hiring, firing, work disputes, and tax and other withholdings. You must also have the sales ability to attain clients, and a knack for managing and motivating your own employees, many of whom are likely to be on the sales side of the business.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

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What happens during a typical day at a temp agency?

In your position as an employment broker, your daily responsibilities are likely to include the following:

  • Pitching your expertise to the human resource professionals and office managers who will be the decision makers among your client base
  • Posting job descriptions to job boards and other places where they’ll be seen by applicants, and creating additional ways of attracting talent
  • Conducting job interviews, screening applicants and making hiring recommendations to your clients
  • Maintaining and updating work schedules
  • Managing payroll services and income inflow and outflow

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful temp agency?

Sales abilities are critical because you might have a lot of competition, and all similar firms in your field have access to the same talent pool. Find a way to differentiate your firm from others, perhaps by your attentiveness, attention to detail or screening skills in recruiting talent.

Screening job canidates in a quick and effective way not only leads to better retention within the jobs but allows you to help a greater number of clients. 

What is the growth potential for a temp agency?

Your company’s success will be based on your sales ability and greatly affected by the economy. If you mostly provide employers with temporary workers, a challenging economy might be most beneficial to your bottom line. That’s because in a weak economy employers are hesitant to make significant long-term workforce investments when they’re unsure of their revenue stream even a quarter or two down the road. In this case, they’d rather bring on workers they can immediately discontinue using with no severance costs.

On the other hand, during good economic times, clients might come to you for temp or full-time workers because their hiring needs are so great they can’t keep up on their own. Your growth will depend on how you can take advantage of local and national economic trends to provide the services needed.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a temp agency?

You’ll be ahead of the game if you first serve as a recruiter or are otherwise employed at a staffing services firm. A background like that will help jump-start your business and avoid a few nasty learning curves.

Also, know the workforce needs of your community. If you’re in Silicon Valley, you’d better know about digital technology and the region’s thirst for software engineers, computer scientists and the like. If you’re in a setting reliant on more traditional industry, it’s likelier that you’ll be recruiting steelworkers, warehouse workers and truck drivers.

But stay ahead of workforce trends. Communicate with local universities or community colleges to see what employers will need next year, or partner to deliver training needs that will keep your talent pool on the cutting edge.

Also, if you know a particular industry well — say, for instance, you spent years working as a licensed practical nurse — consider specializing within that niche. It will not only make it easier to convince clients that you can identify with their needs, but you’ll also know how to find and attract top talent within that narrow field. You’ll literally be speaking their language.

How and when to build a team

If you’re busy, you’ll really be busy. Finding, attracting and screening talent is a different skill set than selling your services to client employers or the detail-oriented duties related to payroll and tax services and work scheduling. As your growing revenue base allows, invest in employees who specialize in areas you’d most like to step away from. If you enjoy sales, hire payroll services personnel who have more talent for the detail work.

Since your salespeople will most likely be at least partially compensated through commissions, you might find that recruiting a competent sales staff is a worthwhile investment without a lot of upfront cost.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading