Temporary Agencies in Atlanta, Georgia: How to Find Work (or Workers) Fast

Temporary agencies in Atlanta, Georgia play a major role in connecting local employers with workers who can start quickly, fill short-term gaps, or test out a role before going permanent. Whether you’re in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs, understanding how temp agencies work in Atlanta can save you a lot of time and frustration.

This guide walks through what temp agencies do, how they operate in Atlanta specifically, which industries use them most, and how to choose and work with an agency effectively.

How Temporary Agencies Work in Atlanta

Temporary agencies (also called staffing agencies or temp services) help match job seekers with employers who need workers for:

• Short-term assignments (a few days or weeks)
• Seasonal roles (holidays, tax season, summer rush, festivals)
• Temp-to-hire positions (start as temp, may become permanent)
• Contract roles (fixed length projects)

In Atlanta, agencies are especially active in:

• Downtown and Midtown for corporate, administrative, legal, and government-adjacent roles
• Perimeter, Buckhead, Cumberland, and Sandy Springs for finance, tech, and professional jobs
• Industrial areas near I-20, I-75, and I-85, including Doraville, Forest Park, and Lithia Springs, for warehouse, logistics, and light industrial work
• Airport area (Hartsfield-Jackson) for hospitality, food service, customer service, and logistics roles

Who’s the Employer?

When you work through a temp agency in Atlanta:

• The agency is usually your official employer
• The agency handles your paychecks, tax withholdings, and sometimes benefits
• You work on-site at the client company (a warehouse in Forest Park, an office in Midtown, a hotel in Downtown, etc.)

This setup can be useful if you:

• Need work quickly
• Want to try out different roles or industries
• Prefer flexible schedules or short-term commitments
• Are new to Atlanta and building local experience

Types of Temporary Agencies in Atlanta

Atlanta has a wide mix of temp agencies, from large national firms with multiple branches to smaller local outfits that focus on one niche.

1. General & Administrative Staffing

These agencies place workers in roles such as:

• Receptionist and front desk
• Data entry and office clerk
• Administrative and executive assistants
• Customer service and call center
• File clerk and records management

You’ll find many of these agencies clustered around Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter Center, close to major office buildings.

2. Industrial, Warehouse & Logistics Staffing

Common positions include:

• Warehouse associates and pick/pack workers
• Forklift and equipment operators
• Shipping and receiving
• Assembly and production workers
• Drivers (non-CDL and sometimes CDL)

These agencies often serve facilities along major corridors like I-285, I-20, and near the Airport. If you live in areas like College Park, East Point, Lithia Springs, or Norcross, there are typically several industrial-focused agencies within a short drive.

3. Hospitality & Event Staffing

Given Atlanta’s busy convention centers, hotels, restaurants, and sports venues, hospitality and event staffing agencies are very active. They may supply:

• Banquet servers and bartenders
• Housekeeping and hotel support staff
• Event setup/breakdown crews
• Concession workers at stadiums and arenas
• Conference and registration staff

Look for these agencies near Downtown (close to the Georgia World Congress Center), Midtown, and around major hotel clusters.

4. Professional, IT & Finance Staffing

These agencies focus on skilled and degreed roles:

• Accountants and bookkeepers
• HR professionals and recruiters
• IT support, developers, analysts
• Project managers, business analysts
• Marketing, design, and communications

Offices are commonly found in business-heavy areas such as Buckhead, Midtown, Perimeter Center (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs), and Cumberland/Galleria.

5. Healthcare & Medical Support Staffing

Atlanta’s healthcare hubs around Emory, Grady, Northside, and Piedmont support a network of agencies that place:

• Medical assistants, CNAs, LPNs
• Medical office reception and scheduling
• Lab techs and pharmacy techs
• Non-clinical hospital support roles

Clinical roles often have specific licensing and background requirements; these agencies are usually clear about those before you apply.

Common Temp Jobs in Atlanta

While offerings change constantly, many Atlanta agencies frequently recruit for:

• Office & admin:

  • Receptionist, front desk, office clerk
  • Administrative assistant
  • Customer service representative
  • Data entry specialist

• Warehouse & production:

  • Order picker/packer
  • Warehouse associate
  • Forklift operator
  • Production line worker

• Hospitality & events:

  • Banquet server, bartender
  • Housekeeping/room attendant
  • Event setup crew
  • Stadium/arena concessions

• Professional & technical:

  • Accounting clerk, AP/AR specialist
  • Help desk support
  • Junior analyst or project assistant
  • Marketing assistant or coordinator

• Healthcare support:

  • Medical receptionist
  • Patient services representative
  • Medical records clerk
  • Certified nursing assistant (CNA), where allowed via agency

The type of work you can get may depend on where you live (for commute reasons), your experience, and your schedule.

What You Need Before Contacting a Temp Agency

In Atlanta, most agencies expect you to be “job-ready” when you walk in or apply online.

Prepare:

• Resume: Updated and clearly formatted
• Work history: Names, addresses, and dates of past employers
• Identification: Typically a valid photo ID and work authorization documents
• References: A couple of professional references, if possible
• Availability: Days, hours, and how far you’re willing to commute (e.g., Downtown, Norcross, Lithia Springs)

Many agencies in Atlanta now start the process online. You create a profile, upload your resume, and then schedule an interview at a local branch—often in areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or near your home.

How Pay and Schedules Usually Work

Pay Rates

Pay depends heavily on the:

• Type of job (warehouse vs. professional office vs. hospitality)
• Location in Atlanta (city core vs. outer suburbs)
• Shift (overnight, weekend, or early morning often pay more)

In practice:

• Entry-level warehouse or hospitality work often starts near the lower end of the local hourly range
• Administrative and call center roles sit in the middle
• Professional and technical temp jobs can pay significantly higher, especially for specialized skills

Most agencies pay weekly or biweekly, often by direct deposit or pay card.

Schedules

Common schedule patterns in Atlanta include:

• Standard weekday office hours for administrative and professional jobs
• Shift-based work (1st, 2nd, 3rd shifts) for industrial and warehouse jobs
• Event-based or on-call shifts for hospitality and special events (sports games, concerts, conventions)
• Seasonal spikes: retail, logistics, and hospitality often surge during holiday seasons and large events

If you need public transit, consider work near MARTA rail stations (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Airport, Doraville, Sandy Springs) or near bus routes. Many industrial parks are not easily reachable by train, so clarify transportation before accepting a job.

Using Temporary Agencies to Find Work: Step-by-Step

1. Identify the Right Type of Agency

Think about:

• What kind of work you want (warehouse, office, events, healthcare, IT, etc.)
• Where in Atlanta you can realistically work (commute time matters with traffic)
• When you’re available (days, nights, weekends, flexible)

Then look for agencies that clearly advertise that type of work in the Atlanta area.

2. Apply Online or Visit a Local Branch

Most agencies let you:

• Submit an online application
• Upload your resume
• Complete basic skills assessments (typing, data entry, industrial safety, etc.)
• Schedule an in-person or video interview

If you plan to visit a physical office, it’s often smart to call ahead to see if they accept walk-ins or require appointments.

3. Interview and Skills Testing

In Atlanta, a typical agency registration may include:

• A brief interview about your experience and job goals
• Skills tests (for admin jobs: typing, Microsoft Office; for industrial jobs: safety quizzes or basic aptitude)
• Discussion of pay expectations and commute boundaries

Be honest about what you can and cannot do—Atlanta employers often need people quickly, and if you’re reliable, agencies tend to call you first.

4. Getting Assigned to a Job

Once you’re in the agency’s system, they’ll contact you when a matching job opens:

• They provide job details: location (e.g., near the Airport, in Norcross, in Downtown), pay, shift, expected length
• You confirm whether you accept or decline
• If you accept, you’ll receive reporting instructions: start time, dress code, safety gear, where to check in

⚠️ Important: If you can’t make a shift, agencies typically expect you to call them as early as possible. No-shows can make it harder to get future assignments.

5. Temp-to-Hire Opportunities

Many employers around Atlanta use temp agencies to preview workers before hiring permanently. If a role is listed as “temp-to-perm” or “temp-to-hire”:

• You start as a temp employee of the agency
• After a certain number of hours or weeks, the company may offer to hire you directly
• Performance, attendance, and attitude matter a lot

Temp-to-hire is common in call centers, warehouses, and office roles across metro Atlanta.

Using Temporary Agencies to Hire Workers in Atlanta

If you’re a business in Atlanta looking for staff, temp agencies can:

• Cover sudden absences (sick leave, vacations, turnover)
• Help with seasonal or project-based spikes (holiday rush, large conventions, audits, IT rollouts)
• Allow you to test workers before extending a direct job offer
• Handle payroll, taxes, and sometimes onboarding for temporary staff

You’ll typically work with a local account manager who understands your part of the metro area—whether you’re based in Downtown, Cobb, Gwinnett, South Fulton, or elsewhere.

Businesses often:

1. Describe the job duties, schedule, and pay range
2. Define must-have skills or certifications
3. Decide whether the role is short-term or temp-to-hire
4. Review a shortlist of pre-screened candidates from the agency

Key Things to Watch For When Choosing an Atlanta Temp Agency

Not all agencies operate the same way. In Atlanta, consider:

Reputation and Local Presence

Look for:

• An office or clear operations in metro Atlanta
• A track record of placing people in the types of roles you want
• Clear, consistent communication (phone, email, or text updates)

Transparency About Pay and Fees

For job seekers:

• You should not have to pay the agency to find you a job
• Ask how and when you will get paid, and what the pay rate is for each assignment
• Make sure you understand any deductions (for optional benefits, pay cards, etc.)

For employers:

• Clarify the bill rate vs. pay rate, and what’s included (payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, recruiting efforts)
• Understand any conversion fees if you hire a temp as a permanent employee

Safety and Working Conditions

For industrial and warehouse roles around Atlanta:

• Ask if the agency has information about safety expectations on each site
• Clarify whether personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and who provides it
• If a site feels unsafe or against stated standards, agencies usually want to know

Commuting Realities

Traffic in metro Atlanta can be intense, and public transit is uneven outside the core. Before accepting an assignment:

• Check the location against your home and typical traffic patterns
• Verify if the site is reachable by MARTA rail or bus, if you rely on transit
• Ask about parking (especially in Downtown and Midtown)

Simple Comparison: Types of Atlanta Temp Agencies

Practical Tips for Job Seekers in Atlanta Using Temp Agencies

• Register with more than one agency
  Many Atlantans work with 2–3 agencies at once to increase their chances of steady assignments, as long as they manage their availability honestly.

• Be realistic about commute times
  A job “in metro Atlanta” might still be 45–60 minutes away, especially in heavy traffic or across town.

• Keep your phone on and respond quickly
  Agencies often fill jobs on a first-come, first-served basis. Fast responses can mean more work.

• Treat every temp job as a working interview
  In Atlanta’s job market, supervisors who like your work may request you again or ask to bring you on permanently.

• Track your hours
  Keep your own record of start/end times and days worked in case there are any payroll questions.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Employers Using Temp Agencies

• Be specific about location and shifts
  Many workers in Atlanta choose assignments based on commute time; clearer details help agencies find people who will stay.

• Plan ahead when possible
  For large events (conventions, festivals, peak seasons), agencies can often staff better if given advance notice.

• Provide clear onsite contacts
  Let the agency and workers know who they report to, where to park, and any site rules.

• Give feedback
  If an assigned worker is a good fit—or not—sharing that helps agencies refine future matches.

Where to Find Temporary Agencies in Atlanta

Across the Atlanta metro, you’ll typically find clusters of temp agencies in:

• Downtown Atlanta: near government buildings, office towers, and hotels
• Midtown: close to major corporate offices and tech/creative companies
• Buckhead: financial and professional services focus
• Perimeter Center (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs): many corporate headquarters and professional roles
• Cumberland/Galleria: office parks, retail, and some industrial access
• Airport / Southside: logistics, warehouse, hospitality, and airline-related support
• Industrial corridors near I-20, I-75, I-85, and I-285: warehouse and manufacturing agencies

If you’re unsure where to start, you can call the City of Atlanta Workforce Development services or check with local career centers and workforce agencies that often maintain lists of reputable staffing firms operating in the city.

For anyone living in or relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, temp agencies can provide a fast, flexible way to start earning income, explore different neighborhoods and industries, and sometimes transition into long-term employment. For Atlanta employers, they’re a practical way to keep operations running smoothly in a dynamic, fast-growing city.