Temp Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find Short-Term Work That Fits Your Life

Looking for temp jobs in Atlanta—whether to bridge a gap, test a new field, or earn extra income—can actually open a lot of doors. Atlanta’s mix of corporate headquarters, logistics hubs, hospitals, universities, and events means there are year-round temporary and seasonal opportunities across many industries.

This guide walks you through how temp jobs work in Atlanta, where to find them, what to expect in pay and schedules, and how to use short-term work to your advantage.

What Counts as a “Temp Job” in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, temporary work usually falls into a few main categories:

• Short-term assignments (a few days to a few weeks)
• Contract roles (often 3–12 months)
• Temp-to-hire positions (start as temp, may become permanent)
• Seasonal work (holidays, tax season, sports seasons, and big events)
• Day labor or on-call work (often industrial or event-based)

You’ll see the same basic structure across the metro—you’re employed by a temp agency or staffing firm, and you’re assigned to work at a company somewhere in the Atlanta area (Downtown, Midtown, Perimeter, Duluth, Hapeville, etc.).

Common Types of Temp Jobs in Atlanta

Atlanta’s temp job market tends to cluster around a few major sectors:

1. Office & Administrative

These are common in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and near the I-285 corridor, where many corporate offices and regional headquarters are located.

Typical roles:

• Receptionist and front-desk support
• Administrative assistants
• Data entry and document processing
• Customer service reps (in-office or call centers)
• Executive assistants (often temp-to-hire)

These jobs are popular with college students, career changers, and people re-entering the workforce because they can provide weekday, daytime hours and office experience.

2. Warehouse, Logistics & Manufacturing

Because Atlanta is a major transportation and logistics hub, there are many temp roles concentrated around:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Major interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, I‑20)
• Areas like Forest Park, College Park, Fairburn, Lithia Springs, Stone Mountain, and Norcross

Common temp roles:

• Order pickers and packers
• Forklift operators (if certified)
• Shipping and receiving clerks
• Production line workers
• Inventory and stocking

These often involve shift work, including nights and weekends, and can offer overtime during busy seasons (holidays, back-to-school, major promotions).

3. Hospitality, Events & Catering

Atlanta hosts conferences, concerts, sports, and conventions year-round, especially around:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• Major hotels in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Event spaces and catering venues across the city

Typical temp roles:

• Event staff and ushers
• Banquet servers and bartenders
• Setup and breakdown crews
• Front-of-house hotel staff
• Event registration and check-in staff

These roles often spike on evenings and weekends, and around large events, festivals, and game days.

4. Healthcare Support (Non-Clinical Roles)

With large health systems like Emory Healthcare, Grady Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, and Wellstar in the region, there can be temporary needs such as:

• Medical office reception
• Scheduling and patient intake
• Medical records and billing support
• Non-clinical support roles in clinics and hospital offices

Note: Many clinical roles (nurses, techs) require specific licenses and may be filled through specialized healthcare staffing agencies.

5. Professional & Technical Contract Roles

Atlanta’s tech and corporate sectors, especially in Midtown’s Tech Square, Perimeter, and Alpharetta, frequently use contract workers for:

• IT support and help desk
• Software and web development
• Digital marketing and content
• Accounting and finance projects
• HR and recruiting coordination

These are often 3–12 month contracts, sometimes labeled as “contract” or “contract-to-hire” rather than “temp.”

Where to Find Temp Jobs in Atlanta

You can find temp work in Atlanta through a mix of staffing agencies, job boards, and local workforce services.

1. Staffing & Temp Agencies (How They Work in Atlanta)

Most temp workers in Atlanta register with one or more staffing agencies. The process generally looks like:

1. Apply online or in-person
2. Interview or screening, sometimes skills testing
3. Onboarding paperwork (tax forms, direct deposit, ID verification)
4. Wait for assignments that match your skills, location, and availability

Agencies often focus on certain industries (clerical, industrial, technical), so it’s common for people to sign up with multiple agencies to increase options.

🔎 Tip: When you talk to an agency, ask which areas they mainly staff (e.g., Downtown vs. suburbs), so you know if assignments will be realistic for your commute or MARTA access.

2. City & State Workforce Resources

Atlanta-area government and workforce organizations provide free help connecting residents with temp and permanent jobs.

Some key options:

WorkSource Atlanta

WorkSource Atlanta provides job search help, training referrals, and connections to employers.

• Office: 818 Pollard Boulevard SW, Atlanta, GA 30315
• Phone: 404-546-3000

They can help you:

• Build or update a resume
• Learn about entry-level and temp openings
• Get referrals to employers and training programs

Georgia Department of Labor – Atlanta Career Center

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) maintains job listings and can help you explore temporary and permanent opportunities.

• Atlanta Career Center
  223 Courtland Street NE, Suite 100
  Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone: 404-232-3500

You can:

• Use computers to search job postings
• Ask about short-term or seasonal hiring
• Get assistance with applications and unemployment questions

3. Online Job Boards with Atlanta Filters

Major job boards and gig platforms regularly list “temporary,” “contract,” “seasonal,” and “temp-to-hire” roles. When searching:

• Use keywords like “Atlanta GA temporary,” “contract Atlanta,” “seasonal Atlanta,” “temp warehouse,” “temp office”
• Filter by location (Atlanta, or specific suburbs) and job type (temporary/contract)
• Check how current the posting is and whether it lists a local office or site location

What To Expect: Pay, Hours, and Commutes

Pay Ranges for Temp Jobs in Atlanta

Rates vary by industry, shift, and experience, but you’ll commonly see:

• Entry-level warehouse or event roles: often hourly, starting near the local entry wage range
• Administrative and office roles: usually higher than basic entry-level, depending on skills like typing or software proficiency
• Professional/technical contracts: often considerably higher hourly rates, reflecting experience and specialized skills

Many assignments are paid weekly, sometimes through direct deposit or pay cards issued by the agency.

Schedules & Shifts

In Atlanta, temp job schedules often include:

• Standard office hours (Mon–Fri, 8 or 9 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m.)
• Shift work (early mornings, late nights, weekends), especially for warehouses and hospitality
• On-call or same-day work for event staffing and day labor

Ask clearly:

• What the expected schedule is
• Whether overtime is likely
• How much notice you’ll get before schedule changes

Transportation & Commutes in Atlanta

Because Atlanta traffic can be heavy, location matters for temp jobs.

Consider:

• Is the site near a MARTA rail station or bus line?
• Will you need to travel to suburbs like Lithonia, Stockbridge, Kennesaw, or Lawrenceville?
• Does parking cost extra in areas like Downtown or Midtown?

If you rely on transit, tell your staffing agency so they can prioritize MARTA-accessible assignments.

Using Temp Jobs Strategically in Atlanta

Why People in Atlanta Choose Temp Work

Common reasons include:

• Newly relocated to Atlanta and testing the market
• Recent graduates from Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, and other schools
• Career changers building experience in a new field
• People between permanent roles who need income quickly
• Those who prefer flexible schedules or seasonal work

For many, temp work is a way to test different workplaces without long-term commitment.

Turning Temp Work into Permanent Jobs

In Atlanta, it’s common for companies to “try out” hires through temp agencies first. To improve your chances of being offered full-time:

• Show up on time consistently, especially in traffic-prone areas
• Learn the company’s systems and culture quickly
• Offer to take on extra tasks when reasonable
• Keep in touch with both your on-site supervisor and your agency recruiter

Even if one assignment doesn’t convert to permanent, strong performance can lead your agency to prioritize you for better future roles.

Pros and Cons of Temp Jobs in Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview to weigh your options:

How to Stand Out for Temp Jobs in Atlanta

A few practical ways to improve your chances:

1. Tailor Your Resume for Local Roles

Highlight:

• Any office software skills (Word, Excel, email systems)
• Customer-facing or call center experience
• Warehouse equipment skills (e.g., forklift certification)
• Familiarity with Atlanta neighborhoods or service areas (delivery routes, local knowledge)

Keep your address or general location current so agencies know where in the metro you’re based.

2. Be Clear About Your Availability

Agencies in Atlanta juggle many clients and shifts. Be upfront about:

• Whether you can work nights, weekends, or overtime
• If you’re limited to MARTA-accessible locations
• How far you’re willing to commute (for example, “inside I‑285 only” or “open to south metro locations near the airport”)

Honesty helps agencies match you better and avoid assignments that will be hard to keep.

3. Respond Quickly and Professionally

Many temp opportunities fill within hours of being posted. When recruiters call or text:

• Reply promptly
• Ask enough questions to understand the location, pay, schedule, and dress code
• Confirm you can realistically get there on time

4. Treat Every Assignment Like a Long-Term Opportunity

Even short assignments can lead to:

• Invitations to return during the next busy season
• Recommendations from supervisors
• Strong references when applying for permanent work elsewhere in Atlanta

Rights, Protections, and Practical Considerations

Your Employer of Record

In most temp jobs in Atlanta:

• Your agency is your official employer (not always the company where you work on-site)
• Questions about pay, time sheets, and employment paperwork usually go through the agency
• On-site supervisors handle daily tasks but may not control your pay rate or benefits

Clarify this during onboarding so you know who to call about what.

Recordkeeping and Taxes

For your own records:

• Keep copies of time sheets or pay stubs
• Track miles or transit expenses related to work, if relevant
• Make note of start and end dates of each assignment

These details can help when filing taxes, updating your resume, or proving work history for applications and housing.

Local Next Steps if You’re Ready to Start

If you’re in or moving to Atlanta and want temp work:

1. Decide your main focus
   • Office, warehouse, events, healthcare support, or technical/IT.
2. Prepare a basic resume
   • Include your Atlanta-area location and contact info.
3. Register with agencies that focus on your chosen type of work.
4. Contact WorkSource Atlanta or the Georgia Department of Labor
   • Use free local help for resumes, job search, and training referrals.
5. Stay flexible and reachable
   • The more responsive and reliable you are, the more likely you’ll be offered better assignments across the city.

Temp jobs in Atlanta can be a practical way to earn money quickly, build connections, and learn the local job market. With clear expectations and the right approach, short-term work can fit into almost any long-term plan you have in the metro area.