What Kelly Services does and who uses it

Kelly Services is a staffing agency that matches workers with temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent jobs across industries including office administration, light industrial, healthcare, accounting, and customer service. The company operates in the United States and internationally, and it makes money by charging employers a fee when they hire through Kelly rather than recruiting on their own.

You contact Kelly as a job seeker, not as someone paying for a service. Kelly interviews you, tests your skills if relevant to the roles you're pursuing, and then calls you when a job opening matches your background. If you accept an assignment, Kelly becomes your employer on paper — you receive a paycheck from Kelly, not directly from the company where you work. The company you're assigned to pays Kelly, and Kelly pays you minus a small percentage.

This arrangement means you have a faster path to work than explore directly to employers, but it also means you have less control over which specific job you get and when. Kelly decides whether to send you to interviews, and the hiring company decides whether to hire you once you arrive.

Key Takeaways

  • Kelly Services connects you to temporary and permanent jobs; you work for Kelly as your official employer even though you work at another company's location.
  • You do not pay Kelly anything — the hiring company pays Kelly a fee, and Kelly pays you a wage minus their cut.
  • The process starts with an interview and skills assessment at a Kelly office or online, then Kelly contacts you when a matching job opens.
  • Temp assignments can last days to months; temp-to-hire roles may convert to permanent employment with the client company after a trial period.
  • Benefits such as health insurance may be available depending on assignment length and hours worked, though coverage varies by location and assignment type.

How to get your free guide with Kelly Services

Visit Kelly's website or call a local Kelly office to begin. You will need to provide your work history, education, and references. Kelly will ask about the types of roles you want and the industries you're interested in — this helps them match you to openings that fit your background.

Next comes a skills assessment. For office roles, this typically includes typing speed, Microsoft Office proficiency, and grammar tests. For industrial roles, you may take a physical assessment or safety test. For healthcare roles, you may need to show current certifications. Kelly conducts these assessments either in person at their office or online, depending on the role and your location.

Once you pass the assessment, Kelly adds you to their candidate pool. You will receive calls or emails when jobs matching your profile become available. You can accept or decline each assignment. If you accept, Kelly sends you the job details, location, start date, and pay rate. You show up on the first day, and Kelly handles the paperwork — you sign an agreement with Kelly, not with the client company.

Temporary assignments versus temp-to-hire roles

A temporary assignment is a job that ends on a set date or when the work is complete. These last anywhere from a few days to several months. You work for Kelly the entire time, and when the assignment ends, you return to Kelly's candidate pool and wait for the next call. Temporary work is useful if you need income quickly, want to test out a company before committing, or have gaps between permanent jobs.

A temp-to-hire role is a temporary assignment with the possibility of becoming permanent. You work for Kelly for a trial period — usually 90 days to six months — and if both you and the client company want to continue, the company hires you directly as a permanent employee. At that point, you stop working for Kelly and become the client company's employee. Temp-to-hire is useful if you want a permanent job but the company wants to test your fit first, or if you want to prove yourself before committing to a role.

The pay rate is usually the same whether the role is temporary or temp-to-hire, but benefits differ. Temporary assignments typically offer no benefits or limited benefits. Temp-to-hire assignments may offer health insurance and other benefits once you convert to permanent status with the client company.

Pay, taxes, and what Kelly deducts

Kelly pays you a wage for each hour worked. The rate depends on the role, your experience, the location, and current demand for that type of work. Kelly does not publish a standard wage list, so rates vary. You can ask Kelly what the pay rate is before you accept an assignment.

Kelly withholds federal income tax, Social Security tax, and Medicare tax from your paycheck, just as a regular employer would. Depending on your state, Kelly may also withhold state income tax. You receive a W-2 form at the end of the year, meaning you are classified as a Kelly employee, not an independent contractor.

Kelly also deducts a small percentage from your gross pay as their fee — this is how they make money. The exact percentage is not standardized and may vary by role and location. Ask Kelly what percentage they deduct before you start work so you know what your take-home pay will be.

Benefits and protections while assigned to Kelly

Health insurance, dental, and vision coverage may be available depending on how many hours you work per week and how long your assignment lasts. Most temporary assignments of fewer than 90 days do not include health benefits. Longer assignments or temp-to-hire roles may offer coverage after a waiting period. Contact Kelly directly to ask what benefits are available for the specific assignment you are considering.

Workers' compensation insurance covers you if you are injured on the job, regardless of assignment length. This is required by law and is paid by Kelly, not deducted from your pay. If you are injured, report it to Kelly and to the client company when ready.

You are protected under federal labor laws including minimum wage and overtime rules. If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you must be paid overtime (time and a half) unless you are classified as exempt, which is rare for Kelly assignments. Kelly is responsible for paying you correctly; if you believe you were underpaid, contact Kelly's payroll department or your local Kelly office.

What happens if an assignment ends early or you want to leave

If the client company no longer needs you, Kelly will tell you the assignment is ending. You then return to Kelly's candidate pool and wait for the next call. There is no penalty to you for an assignment ending — you are not responsible for finding the next job.

If you want to leave an assignment before it ends, you can resign. Give Kelly notice as soon as possible, ideally in writing. Leaving early may affect whether Kelly calls you for future assignments, depending on the reason and the client company's feedback. If you left because of unsafe conditions, harassment, or wage theft, those are different situations — contact Kelly's HR department or your state's labor board.

If you are converted to a permanent employee with the client company (in a temp-to-hire role), you are no longer a Kelly employee. Your employment terms, pay, and benefits are now between you and the client company, not Kelly.

Comparing Kelly Services to other staffing agencies

Kelly Services is one of the largest staffing agencies in the United States, but it is not the only option. Other major agencies include Adecco, Manpower, Robert Half, and Apex Group. Smaller local agencies also exist in most cities. The differences between them include:

  • Industries covered: Kelly covers office, industrial, healthcare, and customer service. Robert Half focuses on accounting and finance. Manpower covers a broad range. Local agencies may specialize in one industry.
  • Geographic reach: Kelly has offices nationwide and internationally. Smaller agencies may serve only one city or region.
  • Assignment types: All major agencies offer temporary and temp-to-hire roles. Some also offer direct-hire permanent placement.
  • Pay rates: Rates vary by agency and role. Calling multiple agencies and asking for the same type of job can help you compare.
  • Speed to work: Large agencies like Kelly can often place you within days. Smaller agencies may take longer but may offer more personalized attention.

You can register with multiple staffing agencies at the same time. There is no rule against it, and doing so increases the number of job calls you receive. However, be honest with each agency about your availability and the other agencies you are registered with, so they do not send you to conflicting assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to accept every job Kelly offers me?

No. You can decline assignments without penalty. However, if you decline too many jobs that match your profile, Kelly may stop calling you or may assume you are no longer looking for work. Be selective but responsive — accept jobs that fit your needs and politely decline those that do not.

What if I get hurt on the job?

Report the injury to your supervisor at the client company and to Kelly when ready. Workers' compensation insurance covers medical treatment and lost wages if you cannot work. File a claim with Kelly's workers' compensation carrier. Do not sign anything the client company gives you without reading it first.

Can Kelly fire me or end my assignment without cause?

Yes. Temporary assignments can end for any reason or no reason. The client company can ask Kelly to remove you, or Kelly can end your assignment if you violate their policies or the client company's rules. You have fewer protections than a permanent employee, but you are still protected from discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, disability, or other protected categories.

Will working through Kelly hurt my chances of getting a permanent job later?

No. Temp-to-hire assignments are specifically designed to lead to permanent jobs. Even temporary assignments can lead to permanent offers if the client company likes your work and decides to hire you directly. Many employers use staffing agencies to test workers before making permanent hires.

How long does it take to get my first assignment?

This varies. If you complete your assessment quickly and match an open job, you could be placed within days. If no jobs match your profile right away, it may take weeks. Having flexible availability and willingness to accept different types of work speeds up placement.