What Manpower does and who it serves

Manpower is a staffing agency that places workers into temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent jobs across industries including manufacturing, logistics, administrative work, and light industrial roles. The company operates in all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries. When you register with Manpower, you are joining a pool of workers that employers contact when they need staff for a specific period or role.

Manpower makes money by charging the employer a fee — typically a percentage of your hourly wage — and paying you a portion of what the employer pays. You do not pay Manpower directly. The company handles payroll, tax withholding, and some benefits depending on how long you work and which Manpower office places you.

Unlike a direct hire, you are employed by Manpower, not by the company where you work each day. This means Manpower is your official employer for tax purposes, benefits may be able to access, and unemployment insurance claims. The employer you work for is called the "client" or "end user."

Key Takeaways

  • Manpower is your employer even though you work at a client company's location, which affects your taxes, benefits, and who you report problems to.
  • Pay varies by job type, location, and client, and Manpower deducts its fee before you receive your paycheck.
  • You can work temporary assignments (days to weeks), temp-to-hire roles (which may convert to permanent employment), or permanent placements.
  • Manpower offers some benefits including workers' compensation and unemployment insurance, but health insurance and paid time off depend on assignment length and your local Manpower office.
  • Registration is free and happens at a local Manpower office or online, and you can start receiving job offers within days if positions match your skills.

How registration and job matching work

To work with Manpower, you visit a local Manpower office or register online at manpower.com. You will provide your work history, skills, availability, and transportation. Some offices require an in-person visit; others allow you to complete the process entirely online. There is no cost to register.

After registration, Manpower's system matches your profile to open positions at client companies. A recruiter or automated system contacts you with job offers. You can accept or decline each assignment. If you accept, Manpower tells you the client name, location, job duties, pay rate, and start date. Some assignments are same-day or next-day starts; others have a week's notice.

The time between registration and your first job offer depends on local demand. In areas with high demand for your skill set, you may receive offers within 24 hours. In slower markets, it may take a week or longer. Manpower prioritizes workers who are flexible about hours, locations, and job types.

Pay, deductions, and how often you receive paychecks

Manpower pays you weekly or biweekly depending on your local office and the client. Your pay rate is set by the client and Manpower's agreement with that client. Rates vary widely: warehouse work might pay $15 to $18 per hour, while skilled manufacturing or administrative roles may pay $18 to $25 per hour or more. Your actual take-home pay is lower because Manpower deducts its fee, which typically ranges from 20 to 40 percent of the gross amount the client pays.

Example: If a client pays Manpower $20 per hour for your work, Manpower might keep $5 and pay you $15 per hour. The exact split depends on the specific job and contract between Manpower and the client. You will see the gross amount and Manpower's deduction on your pay stub.

Manpower also withholds federal and state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare from your paycheck, just as any employer does. If you work multiple assignments in a year, you will receive a W-2 form at tax time showing all earnings from Manpower.

Types of assignments: temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent

Temporary assignments last from one day to several weeks. You work the agreed-upon dates, and the assignment ends. There is no expectation of continued work unless the client requests you again or Manpower offers you another job. Temporary work is useful if you need when ready income, want to test a type of work, or have other commitments.

Temp-to-hire assignments are temporary positions that may convert to permanent employment with the client company. The typical arrangement is 90 to 180 days as a Manpower employee, after which the client decides whether to hire you directly. If hired, you become the client's employee, not Manpower's, and your pay, benefits, and employment terms change. Not all temp-to-hire roles convert; some end after the trial period.

Permanent placements are jobs where Manpower places you directly into a permanent role with a client, and the client hires you as their own employee from day one. Manpower's involvement ends after placement. These roles are less common than temporary work but do occur in administrative, technical, and skilled trades.

Benefits, workers' compensation, and what happens between assignments

Manpower provides workers' compensation insurance for all workers, which covers medical costs and lost wages if you are injured on the job. This is required by law and is automatic — you do not pay for it.

Health insurance, dental, and vision coverage vary by Manpower office and assignment length. Some offices offer health insurance to workers on assignments lasting 90 days or longer; others do not. You must contact your local Manpower office to learn what is available in your area. If you need health coverage when ready, you may want to explore the Affordable Care Act marketplace or Medicaid in your state.

Paid time off (vacation, sick days, personal days) is not standard for temporary assignments. Some long-term temp-to-hire roles include limited paid time off, but this is negotiated between Manpower and the client. Between assignments, you do not receive pay unless you are on a paid break arranged with Manpower.

You may be able to file for unemployment insurance between assignments if you meet your state's requirements. Manpower is your employer for this purpose, so you file with your state's unemployment office and list Manpower as your employer. may be able to access depends on your state's rules and the reason the assignment ended.

How Manpower differs from other staffing agencies

Manpower is one of the largest staffing agencies in the world, which means more job openings and more local offices than smaller competitors. This scale can mean faster job placement in high-demand areas. However, larger size also means less personalized attention — your recruiter may handle hundreds of workers, and you may interact more with automated systems than with a person.

Smaller or specialized staffing agencies often focus on specific industries (healthcare, IT, skilled trades) and may offer more detailed job matching and support. They may also negotiate better rates with clients, meaning higher pay for you. The trade-off is fewer total jobs available and longer waits between assignments.

Manpower's fee structure and benefit offerings are similar to other large national staffing agencies like Kelly Services and Apex Group. The main differences between agencies are local office quality, recruiter responsiveness, and the specific clients they work with in your area. If you are unhappy with Manpower, you can register with other agencies at the same time — there is no exclusivity clause.

Common issues and how to resolve them

If you do not receive a paycheck on time, contact your local Manpower office when ready. Payroll errors are usually resolved within one business day. If the problem persists, ask to speak with a payroll manager or file a complaint with your state's labor department.

If you believe you are being paid less than promised, review your pay stub and the job offer details. Manpower's fee should be clearly shown. If the deduction is larger than you expected, ask your recruiter to explain the calculation. Some clients change pay rates between job offers and start dates; if this happens, you can decline the assignment.

If you are injured on the job, report it to your supervisor and to Manpower when ready. Workers' compensation claims must be filed within a specific timeframe (usually 30 days), so do not delay. Keep copies of all medical records and communications about the injury.

If you experience discrimination, harassment, or unsafe working conditions at a client site, report it to Manpower first. If Manpower does not respond or the problem continues, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or your state's labor department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work for multiple staffing agencies at the same time?

Yes. You can register with Manpower, Kelly Services, and other agencies simultaneously. There is no exclusivity agreement. However, tell each agency about your other registrations so they do not send you to the same client at overlapping times, which could create scheduling conflicts.

What happens if I turn down a job offer from Manpower?

You can decline job offers without penalty. However, if you decline too many offers, your recruiter may deprioritize you for future placements. Manpower wants workers who accept assignments, so declining frequently can reduce the number of offers you receive.

Do I get paid if an assignment is cancelled by the client?

If the client cancels after you have started work, you are paid for the hours you worked. If the client cancels before your start date, you are not paid unless Manpower offers you another assignment when ready. Some offices have policies to pay workers for a cancelled shift if it is cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, but this varies.

Can a temp-to-hire assignment become permanent employment with Manpower instead of the client?

No. Temp-to-hire roles are designed to convert to direct employment with the client company. If the client does not hire you after the trial period, the assignment ends. Manpower does not convert temp-to-hire workers to permanent Manpower employees.

What should I do if I need time off during an assignment?

Tell your recruiter and your supervisor at the client site as soon as possible. For temporary assignments, taking time off may end the assignment early. For longer temp-to-hire roles, discuss time-off policies with both Manpower and the client. Planned absences are easier to accommodate than unexpected ones.