Temp Agency Chicago
Looking for temp work in Chicago? You're not short on options. Search "temp agencies Chicago" and you'll get dozens of names, from global firms with downtown offices to family-run agencies on the Northwest Side. The tricky part is figuring out which ones are legit, which ones place people in your field, and which office is actually close to you.
So we narrowed it down. Below are 7 of the best temp and staffing agencies in Chicago for 2026, what each one is best for, where their Chicagoland offices are, and how to check that an Illinois temp agency is properly registered before you sign up.
Updated October 2026: we re-checked every agency against its own website, removed claims we couldn't verify, added two Chicago agencies, and added a section on your rights as a temp worker in Illinois.
Questions Answered
- What are the best temp agencies in Chicago?
- What is the Chicago job market like right now?
- How do I check that a Chicago temp agency is legit?
- What rights do temp workers have in Illinois?
- Do temp agencies charge a fee?
- What is the difference between a staffing agency and a temp agency?
The Chicago Job Market Right Now
Chicago's job market is a little tighter than the country's as a whole. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area was 5.2% in August 2026 (preliminary), compared with 4.3% for the U.S. overall on the same not-seasonally-adjusted basis. For the City of Chicago itself, it was 6.0%.
That's exactly when a temp agency can help. Agencies hear about openings before they're posted, and a short assignment can turn into a permanent job if you're a good fit.
Best Temp Agencies in Chicago (Quick List)
- Robert Half: best for office, finance, tech, legal, and creative jobs
- AllStaff: best for light industrial and clerical jobs in the city and suburbs
- Sharp Staff Inc.: best for a local, family-run agency
- Aerotek: best for warehouse, manufacturing, and skilled trades
- Kelly Services: best for science, education, and engineering
- Advanced Resources: best for Chicago HR and finance pros
- Artisan Talent: best for creative, marketing, and digital jobs
Top Temp and Staffing Agencies in Chicago
1. Robert Half
Best for office, finance, tech, legal, and creative jobs
Robert Half has been in specialized staffing since 1948 and recruits in five main areas: Finance and Accounting, Technology, Marketing and Creative, Legal, and Administrative and Customer Support.
Its downtown Chicago office is at 10 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2050, and it also has recruiters in suburbs including Oakbrook Terrace, Rosemont, Orland Park, Northbrook, and Naperville. Nationally, it has more than 300 staffing locations.
You can meet a recruiter in person or sign up online, and you can browse contract and full-time roles, including hybrid and remote listings, on its job board.
2. AllStaff
Best for light industrial and clerical jobs in the city and suburbs
AllStaff places people in administrative and clerical, light industrial, and skilled industrial jobs, and also offers direct-hire placements.
It has a lot of offices around Chicagoland. Its locations page lists a Chicago branch at 4128 N. Milwaukee Ave. (60641), plus offices in Addison, Aurora, Bolingbrook, Carpentersville, Elgin, Gurnee, Melrose Park, and Palatine. If you live in the suburbs, there's a good chance one is nearby.
You can apply online or call or visit your nearest branch.
3. Sharp Staff Inc.
Best for a local, family-run agency
Sharp Staff Inc. has been a Chicagoland staffing agency since 2004. It's family-owned and operated, and it says every client and employee matters, which is what you'd hope for from a smaller agency.
It has two offices: one in Chicago at 5023 W. Armitage Ave. and one in Wood Dale at 335 N. Wood Dale Rd. You can browse its job openings online, apply on its website, or stop by during business hours.
4. Aerotek
Best for warehouse, manufacturing, and skilled trades
Aerotek has been in business for over 40 years. It isn't quite the company it was a few years ago, though: in 2021, its parent, Allegis Group, split its specialized business units into separate companies. Aerotek kept the industrial business, professional roles moved to Aston Carter, and engineering and sciences moved to Actalent.
Today, Aerotek focuses on construction, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and facilities and maintenance jobs. It doesn't list an office inside the city, but its Illinois locations include Oakbrook Terrace, Schaumburg, Deerfield, and Crystal Lake.
Submit your resume or apply for specific jobs online, and a recruiter will reach out if you're a good fit.
5. Kelly Services
Best for science, education, and engineering
Kelly has been placing workers since 1946, when it opened in Detroit, and it says it provides workforce solutions in 80 countries.
Kelly runs specialty divisions for science and clinical, education, engineering, government, and professional and industrial roles. That makes it a strong pick if you work in one of those fields, including teacher, paraeducator, and school support jobs through Kelly Education.
To get started, search Chicago-area jobs on Kelly's website.
6. Advanced Resources
Best for Chicago HR and finance pros
Advanced Resources is a Chicago-based, minority-owned, women-led human capital firm. According to its website, it has supported thousands of companies and executed more than 40,000 projects.
It focuses on human resources and accounting and finance, with interim staffing, project consulting, and executive search. If you're an HR or finance professional in the Chicago area, it's worth a call. You can also browse its latest jobs online.
7. Artisan Talent
Best for creative, marketing, and digital jobs
Artisan Talent is a staffing agency for digital, marketing, AI, and creative talent. Chicago is one of the 13 U.S. cities it serves, so if you're a designer, writer, marketer, or UX pro, it's a good place to register.
You can browse Chicago jobs on its website or register online, and a recruiter will follow up. Depending on the role, that could mean an on-site job in the city or a remote position.
Related Articles:
How to Check a Chicago Temp Agency Before You Sign Up
Illinois has stronger rules for temp agencies than many states, and they're worth knowing.
- Check that it's registered. Under the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act, many staffing and temp agencies have to register with the Illinois Department of Labor before operating in the state. The department posts its current list of registered agencies on that page. Agencies that only place clerical or professional workers may be exempt, so a missing name isn't automatically a red flag for an office or professional staffing firm, but it's worth asking.
- Know your pay rights. If you're assigned to the same company for more than 720 hours in 12 months, the agency generally has to pay you at least what the company pays its lowest-paid direct employee doing the same work, according to the department's FAQ.
- Ask for an application receipt. Agencies must give an application receipt to anyone who applies but isn't assigned to a job, according to a department bulletin.
- You can say no to a strike site. The same bulletin says agencies must tell you if the worksite has a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute, and you can refuse that assignment without losing out on others.
- Read reviews from workers, not just clients. Look at what people placed by the agency say about pay, scheduling, and how recruiters treat them.
- Get free local help. Chicago-area American Job Centers offer free job search help, and Illinois workNet lists state job resources.
If you think an agency is breaking these rules, you can file a complaint with the Illinois Department of Labor.
Never pay to get placed
Legitimate temp agencies are paid by the employer, not by you. The Federal Trade Commission says: "Honest placement firms do not typically charge a fee to job candidates. Instead, the hiring company pays them a fee to find qualified candidates. If a placement firm asks you for a fee — especially one you have to pay in advance — walk away."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does the job market look like in Chicago?
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area's unemployment rate was 5.2% in August 2026 (preliminary), above the 4.3% national rate on the same basis, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That makes it a good time to have a recruiter in your corner.
What Is A Staffing Agency?
Staffing agencies (also called staffing firms, temp agencies, employment agencies, or recruiting firms) recruit job seekers and pair them with employers that need to fill open positions.
The jobs can range from a few days of temp work to month-by-month contracts and full-time permanent roles. Employers fill openings faster, and you get help finding work. Win-win!
Difference Between A Staffing and Temp Agency?
Temp agencies mainly offer short-term work lasting anywhere from a few days to a couple of months, while staffing agencies often also fill longer contracts and permanent roles. In practice, most agencies do some of both. The work usually falls into one of these buckets:
-
Short-Term Gigs | Short assignments that last a few days to a couple of months
-
Contract Gigs | Contracts that fill in for absent employees, help during a busy season, or staff a project
-
Contract to Hire | Longer contracts that could turn into a full-time role
-
Full Time | Permanent roles where the employer is adding to the team or replacing someone
Do temp agencies in Chicago charge a fee?
No, legitimate ones don't. The employer pays the agency, either through the hourly rate it pays for temp workers or a fee if it hires you permanently. If an agency asks you to pay to be placed, walk away.
Wrapping Up | Best Temp Agencies in Chicago
Temp and staffing agencies act as a middleman between employers and job seekers, matching qualified people with companies that have openings right now.
Job hunting in Chicago can be tough, but the right agency can make it a lot easier. To recap, here are the 7 best temp agencies in Chicago:
- Robert Half
- AllStaff
- Sharp Staff Inc.
- Aerotek
- Kelly Services
- Advanced Resources
- Artisan Talent
Whatever your field, check that the agency is registered, never pay a fee, and reach out to the two or three that best fit your goals. Best of luck!
Title: 7 Best Temp Agencies in Chicago for 2026 (and How to Pick One)
Category: Job Search
Tags: temp agencies chicago, chicago temp agency, staffing agencies chicago, temp agencies near me, staffing agency near me, employment agencies, temp-to-hire, best temp agencies
Zip Codes: 60629 (Chicago), 60618, 60617, 60647, 60625, 60628, 60634, 60657, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet
Author: Jordan Ellis writes about job searching and interviews for theJub, focusing on practical steps for early-career job seekers.
