What Aerotek does and who it serves

Aerotek is a staffing agency that matches workers with temporary and permanent jobs across industries. The company does not hire you as an employee; instead, it acts as a middleman between you and the employer. When you work through Aerotek, Aerotek is technically your employer on paper — they handle your paycheck, taxes, and benefits — while you work at a client company's location.

Aerotek operates in construction, manufacturing, warehouse and logistics, professional services, and light industrial work. The company has offices in all 50 states and places workers ranging from entry-level positions to skilled trades. If you are looking for work and want someone else to handle the job search part, or if you need a job quickly while looking for something permanent, Aerotek is one option among many staffing agencies.

The key difference between Aerotek and explore directly to an employer is speed and simplicity on your end. You complete one process and interview with Aerotek, and they pitch you to multiple employers. You do not explore to each job separately. However, you also have less control over which specific jobs you see, and Aerotek takes a cut of what the employer pays.

Key Takeaways

  • Aerotek is a staffing agency that acts as your employer on paper while you work at a client company's location.
  • You complete one process and interview with Aerotek, and they match you to open positions rather than you explore to each job individually.
  • Aerotek handles your paycheck and tax withholding, but the wages come from the client employer's budget.
  • Most Aerotek positions are temporary or contract-based, though some lead to permanent hire by the client company.
  • You can work with Aerotek while job searching elsewhere, since there is no exclusivity agreement that prevents you from taking another job.

How the process and matching process works

To work with Aerotek, you start by visiting their website or walking into a local branch office. You fill out an online process or paper form with your work history, skills, and availability. Aerotek asks what types of roles interest you and what shifts you can work — day, night, or rotating.

After you submit your process, a recruiter from the local Aerotek office contacts you to schedule an interview. This is usually a phone or in-person conversation lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The recruiter asks about your experience, why you left previous jobs, and what you are looking for. They may also ask you to take a skills test or background check at this stage, depending on the role.

Once you pass the interview, Aerotek adds you to their active candidate pool. When a client company has an open position that matches your skills and availability, a recruiter calls or texts you with the job details — the company name, location, job title, wage, and shift. You can accept or decline. If you accept, Aerotek handles the paperwork with the client, and you start work within days or sometimes the same week.

Pay, taxes, and benefits when working through Aerotek

Aerotek pays you as an employee on their payroll, not as a contractor. This means Aerotek withholds federal and state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from your paycheck. You receive a W-2 at the end of the year, not a 1099. The wage you receive is set by the client employer, but Aerotek takes a percentage before paying you — this is how staffing agencies make money. The exact amount varies by role and location, but it typically ranges from 15 to 30 percent of what the client pays.

For example, if a client employer budgets $20 per hour for a position, you might receive $14 to $17 per hour after Aerotek's cut. The wage Aerotek quotes you is what you actually take home, not the client's budget, so you know exactly what you will earn before you accept the job.

Aerotek offers health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and paid time off to employees who work a certain number of hours per week — usually 30 or more. The specifics vary by state and by how long you have been with the company. Temporary positions may not may have access to you for benefits when ready, but if you work consistently for several months, you may become may be able to access. Ask the recruiter about benefits may be able to access for the specific job they are offering you.

Temporary versus permanent placements

Most Aerotek jobs are temporary or contract positions lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months. The client company hires you through Aerotek for a specific project or to cover a gap in staffing. When the project ends or the gap closes, your assignment ends. Aerotek then looks for your next placement.

Some temporary assignments turn into permanent jobs. If the client company wants to keep you on permanently, they can hire you directly off the Aerotek contract. This usually happens after you have worked there for 90 days or longer and both you and the employer want to continue the relationship. When this happens, you leave Aerotek's payroll and become a direct employee of the client company.

If you are looking for permanent work, tell your Aerotek recruiter that you are interested in contract-to-hire positions. Aerotek also has some direct-hire roles where they place you permanently with a client from the start, though these are less common than temporary assignments. The recruiter can tell you which open positions have a path to permanent employment.

What happens if you need to leave or the assignment ends

You can leave an Aerotek assignment at any time. There is no contract binding you to stay, and you do not owe Aerotek notice or a penalty. If you find another job or decide the work is not for you, you can tell your recruiter and stop showing up. However, leaving without notice or abandoning a shift can damage your relationship with that Aerotek office and make it harder to get future placements there.

If your assignment ends because the client no longer needs you, Aerotek will contact you about your next placement. There may be a gap between assignments where you are not working and not being paid. Some workers stay with Aerotek through multiple assignments over months or years, while others use it as a bridge to a permanent job and then move on.

If you are laid off or your assignment is cut short, you may be may be able to access for unemployment benefits depending on your state's rules. Contact your state's unemployment office to file a claim. Aerotek will provide documentation of your employment and wages if you need it for the claim.

Common reasons to use Aerotek and alternatives to consider

Workers use Aerotek when they need a job quickly, want to avoid the process and interview process at multiple companies, or are testing out a new industry before committing. Aerotek can place you in a week or two, whereas explore directly to employers can take months. If you are between jobs and need income fast, a staffing agency is often the quickest route.

However, staffing agencies are not the only option. You can explore directly to employers through job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor. Direct applications give you more control over which jobs you pursue and you keep 100 percent of the wage instead of losing 15 to 30 percent to a middleman. Direct hire also usually means benefits and job security from day one, whereas temporary placements may not.

Some workers use both strategies at once — they register with Aerotek to have jobs coming to them while they also explore directly to companies they really want to work for. There is no rule against working with multiple staffing agencies or explore directly while registered with Aerotek. You can accept a permanent job elsewhere and leave Aerotek without penalty.

Red flags and questions to ask before accepting a placement

Before you accept an Aerotek assignment, ask the recruiter for the specific wage you will receive, the expected length of the assignment, and the exact job duties. Some placements are advertised vaguely, and you do not want to show up on day one and find the work is different from what you expected. Ask about the shift — start time, end time, and whether it is fixed or rotating. Ask whether the position includes benefits and when you become may be able to access.

If the recruiter cannot answer these questions or gives you vague answers, that is a sign to push back and get clarity before you commit. You should also ask about the client company's location and commute time, especially if you do not have reliable transportation. A job that pays $15 per hour but requires an hour of commuting each way may not be worth your time.

Be cautious of assignments that require you to pay upfront fees, purchase equipment, or buy a uniform out of pocket. Aerotek should not charge you to work. If a recruiter asks for money before placing you, that is a scam, not a legitimate staffing agency.

How Aerotek affects your taxes and job search record

Working through Aerotek shows up on your employment record as employment with Aerotek, not with the client company. When you explore for future jobs and employers ask about your work history, you list Aerotek as your employer and describe the duties you performed at the client location. This is normal and employers understand how staffing agencies work.

For tax purposes, Aerotek issues you a W-2 at the end of the year showing your total earnings and taxes withheld. You file your taxes normally using this W-2. If you worked multiple assignments through Aerotek in the same year, all earnings appear on one W-2. If you also worked other jobs, you will receive multiple W-2s and file them all together.

One advantage of working through Aerotek is that they handle all payroll taxes for you — you do not have to estimate quarterly taxes or file as self-employed. This makes tax time simpler than if you were a contractor or freelancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to work exclusively with Aerotek, or can I explore for other jobs while registered?

You can work with other staffing agencies and explore directly to employers at the same time. There is no exclusivity agreement. If you find a permanent job elsewhere, you can leave Aerotek without notice or penalty. Many people use Aerotek as one option while pursuing other opportunities.

What if I do not like the first assignment Aerotek offers me?

You can decline a job offer from Aerotek without consequence. Declining one assignment does not hurt your standing with the company. However, if you decline multiple offers in a row, the recruiter may stop calling you. Be honest with your recruiter about what types of work you want so they send you jobs that actually fit.

How long does it take to get paid after I start working?

Aerotek typically pays weekly or biweekly, depending on the client company's payroll schedule. Your first paycheck may take two to three weeks because of payroll processing time. Ask your recruiter about the pay schedule for the specific assignment before you start.

Can I negotiate the wage Aerotek offers me?

The wage is set by the client employer and Aerotek's cut is fixed, so there is limited room to negotiate. However, you can ask the recruiter if higher-paying assignments are available or if the wage can be adjusted based on your experience. It does not hurt to ask, but the answer is usually no.

What happens to my benefits if my assignment ends?

If you lose health insurance through Aerotek when an assignment ends, you may be may be able to access for COBRA continuation coverage or a marketplace plan through your state's health insurance exchange. You can also look into Medicaid if your income drops. Your Aerotek recruiter can tell you whether you may have access to for unemployment benefits while between assignments.