Temp Companies in Atlanta, GA: How to Find the Right Agency for Your Next Job or Hire

If you live in Atlanta, GA or are planning to move here, working with a temp agency (also called a staffing agency or employment agency) can be one of the fastest ways to find work or fill open roles. Atlanta has a large number of agencies that specialize in everything from corporate office roles Downtown to industrial jobs near the airport.

This guide explains how temp companies work in Atlanta, what types of jobs they commonly place, how to choose an agency, and what to expect whether you’re a job seeker or an employer.

How Temp Agencies Work in Atlanta

In Atlanta, temp companies connect employers with workers for:

• Short-term assignments (days or weeks)
• Seasonal or project-based work
• Temp-to-hire positions
• Long-term contracts

Who technically employs you?

For most temporary jobs in Atlanta:

• The staffing agency is your official employer.
• You typically fill out your tax forms and onboarding paperwork with the agency, not the worksite company.
• You get paid by the agency, even though you report to work at a client company (for example, a warehouse in Forest Park or an office in Buckhead).

The client company pays the agency, and the agency pays you.

Common pay and schedule patterns

In Atlanta, temp jobs often involve:

• Hourly pay (weekly or biweekly)
• Shift work for industrial, warehouse, and hospitality roles (days, nights, weekends)
• Standard business hours for office, call center, and professional roles

Many agencies now offer online timekeeping and direct deposit, but some still use paper timesheets or in-person sign-ins, especially for light industrial work.

Types of Temp Jobs Commonly Available in Atlanta

Because Atlanta’s economy is diverse, temp agencies serve many industries. Some of the most common categories include:

1. Office, Administrative, and Call Center Roles

These are often concentrated in:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Office parks along Peachtree Road, Perimeter Center, and Cumberland

Typical positions:

• Administrative assistant
• Receptionist
• Data entry clerk
• Customer service representative
• Call center agent
• Office coordinator

These roles are often temp-to-hire, giving employers a chance to see how you perform before offering a permanent position.

2. Warehouse, Logistics, and Light Industrial

Atlanta’s location and highway network (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285) make it a major distribution hub. Temp companies frequently place workers in:

• Warehouses near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Logistics centers in Forest Park, College Park, Norcross, Lithia Springs, and McDonough
• Facilities along Fulton Industrial Boulevard

Typical positions:

• Picker/packer
• Forklift operator
• Shipping/receiving clerk
• Material handler
• Assembly line worker

These jobs can involve early morning or overnight shifts and may require steel-toe boots or other basic PPE.

3. Hospitality and Events

With large venues like the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and major hotels in Downtown and Midtown, temp agencies help staff:

• Banquet servers
• Dishwashers
• Housekeeping
• Event setup/teardown
• Concession and guest services

Work can be very event-driven, with busy periods around conventions, concerts, and sports seasons.

4. Professional, IT, and Finance

Atlanta’s growing business and tech scene (Midtown’s “Tech Square,” Perimeter, and Cumberland areas) supports temp and contract roles in:

• IT support and help desk
• Software development (often as contractors)
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Human resources
• Project coordination

These are usually longer-term contracts or contract-to-hire roles with higher pay and more specialized requirements.

5. Healthcare and Medical Support

In an area with major healthcare systems like Emory, Piedmont, and Grady, staffing agencies may place:

• Medical receptionists
• Patient service representatives
• Coders and billers
• Lab support techs (non-clinical)
• Medical records clerks

Licensed medical roles (like RNs or LPNs) are often handled by specialized healthcare staffing firms.

Major Atlanta Areas Where Temp Agencies Cluster

While many agencies serve the entire metro area, you’ll see clusters in:

• Downtown & Midtown Atlanta
  Focus on professional, office, government-related, and hospitality/event roles.

• Buckhead & Perimeter Center
  Heavier on corporate, finance, and administrative placements.

• Cumberland / Galleria area
  Office, call center, and some logistics roles.

• South Atlanta / Airport area (Hapeville, College Park, Forest Park)
  Warehouse, logistics, and airport-related roles.

• Norcross, Duluth, Tucker, and Gwinnett County corridors
  Manufacturing, light industrial, and bilingual office roles.

Many agencies have multiple branches or cover the entire metro region from a central Atlanta office.

How to Choose a Temp Agency in Atlanta

Choosing the right temp company matters, especially if you’re hoping for a full-time job later. Here’s how to narrow it down.

1. Match the agency to your industry

Look for agencies that regularly place your type of role:

• Looking for warehouse or factory work? Focus on industrial staffing agencies.
• Interested in administrative or office roles? Look for agencies that emphasize “office support” or “professional staffing.”
• Working in IT or finance? Consider agencies that specialize in contract professionals and corporate clients.

If you’re unsure, you can call and ask directly what types of positions they fill most often in Atlanta.

2. Check location and access

Atlanta traffic and transit matter. When choosing an agency, consider:

• Is the office close to an MARTA rail station or bus line?
• Is there free parking if you drive?
• Are most of their clients in areas you can reasonably reach (for example, if you live in Decatur, will they mainly offer you jobs in Alpharetta, which may be a long commute)?

For many job seekers in Atlanta, being able to get to work consistently is as important as the pay rate.

3. Understand pay, overtime, and pay frequency

Before accepting assignments, ask:

• Pay rate (hourly)
• How often you’ll be paid (weekly vs. biweekly)
• Whether overtime is required and how it’s paid
• Whether they offer direct deposit or pay cards
• How time is tracked (online, app, or paper timesheets)

Being clear upfront can prevent misunderstandings once you start working.

4. Ask about temp-to-hire opportunities

If your goal is permanent employment, ask:

• How many of their roles in Atlanta are temp-to-hire?
• What the typical trial period is (for example, 90 days or 520 hours)
• How often their workers are converted to full-time at local companies

Organizations around Downtown, Midtown, and perimeter office parks commonly use temp-to-hire to fill administrative and customer service positions.

5. Pay attention to communication and responsiveness

When contacting agencies, notice:

• How quickly they return your calls or emails
• Whether they explain things clearly
• If they provide realistic expectations about job availability

In Atlanta’s competitive job market, responsive communication is often a good sign that an agency is active and regularly placing workers.

What You’ll Typically Need to Register With a Temp Agency

When you visit an Atlanta temp company to apply, you’ll usually need:

• Valid photo ID (such as a Georgia driver’s license or state ID)
• Work authorization documents (if applicable, such as a Social Security card or other I‑9 documentation)
• Updated resume (especially for office, professional, or IT roles)
• Names and contact info for references, if requested
• Bank details or pay card info if you choose direct deposit

Many agencies in Atlanta now allow you to start your application online and then come into the office to complete testing, interviews, or onboarding.

Typical Hiring Process at Atlanta Temp Companies

While each agency is different, many follow a similar pattern:

1. Online application or in-person form
   You share work history, skills, and availability.

2. Skills assessments
   May include typing tests, software tests (like Word, Excel), forklift or safety quizzes, or basic math depending on the job type.

3. Interview with a recruiter
   They ask about your experience, preferred schedule, transportation, pay expectations, and what areas of Atlanta you can work in.

4. Background checks or drug screening
   Often required for certain clients—this can vary by role and sector.

5. Placement on active list
   Once cleared, you’re added to the agency’s pool. They contact you when suitable assignments in the Atlanta area open up.

6. Assignment details
   You’ll be given job site address, supervisor name, shift schedule, dress code, and any special requirements (such as safety shoes).

Pros and Cons of Using Temp Companies in Atlanta

Advantages for job seekers

• Quick entry into the job market
  Especially useful if you’re new to Atlanta or re-entering the workforce.

• Exposure to different companies
  You may work at downtown offices, warehouses in south Atlanta, or corporate centers in Buckhead through one agency.

• Temp-to-hire possibilities
  Many Atlanta employers—especially in administrative support, customer service, and light industrial—regularly convert strong temp workers to full-time.

• Flexibility
  You may be able to choose day, evening, or weekend shifts, depending on the assignment.

Drawbacks for job seekers

• Inconsistent hours
  Work can be seasonal or fluctuate with client demand, particularly in warehouse and event staffing.

• Limited benefits
  Some agencies offer basic benefits, but coverage is often less robust than full-time permanent roles.

• Commute challenges
  If you live in one part of metro Atlanta and are assigned to another area with limited transit, commuting can be difficult.

Using Temp Agencies as an Atlanta Employer

Businesses across the Atlanta metro—manufacturers in Norcross, offices in Midtown, small businesses in Grant Park—use temp agencies to:

• Cover seasonal spikes (holiday warehousing, convention season, tax season)
• Fill short-term leave (vacation, medical leave)
• Try out workers before offering full-time roles
• Handle rapid growth without immediately hiring permanent staff

What Atlanta employers should clarify with a temp agency

If you’re an employer in the Atlanta area, consider:

• Skill requirements (including any certifications or equipment experience)
• Which metro locations you need to staff (e.g., multiple warehouses around I‑285)
• Shift patterns and overtime expectations
• Background or drug screening requirements
• Whether you’re open to temp-to-hire arrangements

It’s common to sign a service agreement that outlines bill rates, replacement policies, and expectations.

Helpful Public Resources in Atlanta Related to Temp and Job Searching

In addition to private temp companies, Atlanta residents can access public workforce services that may connect with staffing agencies or direct-hire employers.

WorkSource Atlanta and WorkSource Metro Atlanta

WorkSource centers provide:

• Job search assistance
• Resume help
• Skills training programs
• Connections to local employers (including some that use temp or contract staffing)

Examples of local offices include:

• WorkSource Atlanta
  818 Pollard Boulevard SW
  Atlanta, GA 30315
  Phone: (often listed on City of Atlanta resources; verify current number before visiting)

• WorkSource Fulton (Central Office)
  2001 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW, Suite 100
  Atlanta, GA 30310

These centers often host job fairs and employer recruitment events that may feature temp agencies alongside direct employers.

Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) Career Centers

GDOL career centers around metro Atlanta provide:

• Job listings
• Workshops
• Unemployment claim support
• Referrals to training or placement programs

A commonly used office in the Atlanta area is:

• North Metro Career Center
  148 Andrew Young International Blvd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Calling ahead is wise to confirm current hours and services.

Quick Comparison: What To Look For in an Atlanta Temp Company

Below is a simple overview of key points to consider.

Practical Tips for Working With Temp Agencies in Atlanta

A few Atlanta-specific tips can make your experience smoother:

• Be honest about transportation.
  If you rely on MARTA, mention which rail line or bus routes you can use. This helps recruiters avoid offering you jobs in areas that are extremely difficult to reach.

• Update your availability often.
  Many agencies in Atlanta maintain large talent pools. Regular check-ins (by phone, app, or email) can keep you on their radar.

• Keep basic work gear ready.
  For warehouse and industrial assignments, having steel-toe boots, plain work clothes, and a safety vest (if requested) can help you start quickly.

• Know your preferred areas of town.
  Whether you prefer Downtown, North Atlanta, South Atlanta, or specific suburbs, tell your recruiter upfront.

• Track your hours and assignments.
  Keep personal notes on where you worked, who supervised you, and your hours. This helps if questions arise and can be useful on future job applications.

By understanding how temp companies in Atlanta, GA operate, what kinds of jobs they commonly offer, and how to choose and work with an agency, you can use staffing firms as a practical tool—whether you’re looking for your next job in the city or trying to staff a growing team somewhere in the metro area.