• HireQuest analysis dated Aug. 18, 2026 shows U.S. manufacturing staffing revenue tracking at about three times pre-pandemic levels.
• Footprint expanded to 35 states in Q1 2026 from 32 states in 2020, signaling broader demand across manufacturers.
• Data points to a shift toward temporary, temp-to-perm hiring, which can precede permanent payroll gains in official labor reports.
• Demand extends beyond entry-level roles into skilled trades, including machinists, maintenance, automation technicians, process engineers.
• Firm argues automation is lifting demand for workers to operate and maintain advanced systems, rather than displacing hiring.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. HireQuest Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief via PR Newswire (Ref. ID: 202608180907PR_NEWS_USPR_____CL26969) on August 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.