Temp Agencies in Atlanta: How to Find Short-Term Work and Staffing Help in the City

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia and are looking for temporary work, or you’re an employer needing short-term staff, the city has a large network of temp agencies that can help. From corporate offices in Downtown and Midtown to industrial staffing centers around the Airport, South Atlanta, and the I-285 perimeter, there are options for many types of jobs and schedules.

This guide explains how temp agencies in Atlanta work, what kinds of jobs they typically place, where to find them, and how to get the most out of working with one—whether you’re a job seeker or an employer.

How Temp Agencies Work in Atlanta

A temporary staffing agency (or temp agency) connects workers with companies that need short-term, seasonal, contract, or temp-to-hire employees.

In Atlanta, temp agencies commonly:

  • Recruit and screen candidates
  • Match workers to open roles across the metro area
  • Keep workers on the agency’s payroll, while assigning them to a client company
  • Sometimes help transition temp workers into permanent full-time roles (often called “temp-to-perm” or “temp-to-hire”)

For job seekers:

  • You typically do not pay the agency.
  • The agency pays you directly (often weekly), and the hiring company pays the agency.

For employers:

  • You sign a service agreement with the agency.
  • You pay a bill rate per hour for each worker (covering the worker’s wage plus the agency’s fees, payroll taxes, and other costs).

Common Types of Temp Jobs in Atlanta

Because Atlanta’s economy is diverse—logistics, film, corporate headquarters, tech, healthcare, hospitality—you’ll find temp agencies that specialize in different types of work.

Office and Administrative Temp Jobs

Many agencies in Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter Center, and Downtown focus on:

  • Administrative assistants
  • Receptionists and front desk staff
  • Data entry and clerical roles
  • Customer service and call center positions
  • Executive assistants
  • Billing, basic accounting, and payroll support

These roles often place workers in office towers near Peachtree Street, the Downtown Connector, and along GA-400.

Industrial, Warehouse, and Logistics Jobs

Around Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, I-75, I-20, and I-285, you’ll find many agencies that supply:

  • Warehouse associates and pick/pack staff
  • Forklift operators
  • Shipping/receiving clerks
  • Assembly line and production workers
  • General labor for manufacturing and distribution

These agencies frequently work with distribution centers in Forest Park, East Point, College Park, Lithia Springs, and Union City, as well as warehouses near major trucking routes.

Hospitality, Events, and Convention Staffing

Because Atlanta hosts many conventions and events at venues like the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and hotels downtown and in Buckhead, some agencies focus on:

  • Banquet servers and bartenders
  • Event setup and teardown crews
  • Housekeeping and hotel support
  • Line cooks and dishwashers
  • Ushers and event staff

These assignments often spike during big events (sports seasons, concerts, trade shows, festivals).

Professional and Technical Contract Roles

Certain Atlanta staffing firms specialize in higher-skill contract and temp-to-hire roles, such as:

  • IT and software development
  • Project management
  • Engineering
  • Finance and accounting
  • Marketing and creative

You’ll often find these agencies clustered near Midtown’s Tech Square, Perimeter Center, and major office parks in Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody.

Healthcare and Medical Support

Some agencies in Atlanta focus on healthcare staffing, including:

  • Medical assistants
  • Certified nursing assistants (CNAs)
  • Medical reception and billing
  • Healthcare administrative roles

These agencies may place workers at hospitals, outpatient centers, nursing facilities, and clinics across the metro area.

Where to Find Temp Agencies in Atlanta

Temp agencies are spread across the Atlanta metro, but several neighborhoods and corridors have a high concentration of offices.

Central Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead)

In-town, you’re likely to find agencies in:

  • Downtown Atlanta – Around Peachtree Center, Five Points, and the Government District, serving office, customer service, and some government-adjacent roles.
  • Midtown – Near Tech Square, Peachtree Street, and MARTA stations, often focusing on professional, creative, and tech roles.
  • Buckhead – In and around Peachtree Road and major office towers, often handling corporate, finance, and administrative placements.

Many of these offices are close to MARTA rail stations, which is helpful if you rely on public transit.

Airport and South Atlanta

Near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the surrounding College Park, East Point, Hapeville, and Forest Park areas, you’ll find:

  • Industrial and warehouse staffing offices
  • Agencies focused on air cargo, ground support, and logistics
  • Some hospitality and hotel-support staffing operations

This is a strong area to look if you want warehouse or logistics temp jobs.

Perimeter, North Fulton, and Cobb

Along I-285, GA-400, and I-75, many corporate-oriented agencies are located in:

  • Perimeter Center (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs) – Administrative, professional, healthcare, and IT staffing
  • Alpharetta and Roswell (North Fulton) – Tech, professional services, call centers, and back-office roles
  • Cumberland and the Galleria area (Cobb County) – Corporate, logistics, and professional staffing

These areas are common destinations for commuters and have many large employers that rely on temporary staff.

Examples of Public-Facing Offices and Resources

Below are some types of locations and resources in the Atlanta area that can help you connect with temp work or staffing help. Always confirm hours and details before visiting.

Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) – Atlanta-Area Career Centers

While not temp agencies, GDOL Career Centers can help you:

  • Search current job openings (including many temp roles)
  • Create or update a resume
  • Learn about job fairs where temp agencies recruit

Examples of Atlanta-area centers include:

  • Atlanta Career Center (GDOL)
    223 Courtland St NE
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone: 404-232-3500

  • South DeKalb Career Center (GDOL)
    3879 Covington Hwy, Suite 100
    Decatur, GA 30032
    Phone: 404-298-3970

These centers often know which staffing agencies are actively hiring in the area.

How to Choose a Temp Agency in Atlanta

Not every temp agency will be a good fit. In Atlanta’s large market, it helps to be selective.

Match the Agency to Your Industry

Focus on agencies that regularly place people in the kind of roles you want:

  • Looking for warehouse work near the airport? Seek agencies with industrial/logistics in their description and offices near Hapeville, East Point, or Forest Park.
  • Want corporate office or admin work? Look for agencies with offices in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, or Alpharetta.
  • Interested in IT or professional contract work? Target agencies that advertise technology or professional staffing.

Check Practical Details

Before committing your time, clarify:

  • Location and transportation

    • Is the agency near a MARTA station, bus line, or do you need a car?
    • Where are most of their assignments located—inside the city or out in the suburbs?
  • Pay schedule and method

    • Weekly or biweekly pay?
    • Direct deposit, pay card, or paper check?
    • Any waiting period before your first paycheck?
  • Work hours and shifts

    • Do they have day, evening, and overnight shifts?
    • Are weekend-only or flexible assignments available?
  • Temp-to-hire opportunities

    • If you want a permanent job, ask how often their clients hire temps full-time.

Watch for Red Flags

In Atlanta, as in other cities, be cautious if:

  • An agency asks you to pay a fee just to be placed on their roster. Legitimate temp agencies normally charge the employer, not the worker.
  • You are pressured to accept an assignment with unclear pay, duties, or location.
  • You are not given basic information in writing (pay rate, expected schedule, who to report to on-site).

What You Need to Sign Up With a Temp Agency in Atlanta

Temp agencies usually have a registration process, which may be online, in-office, or both.

You will likely need:

  • Government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, passport)
  • Documentation to verify work authorization, such as a Social Security card or other acceptable forms
  • A current resume, especially for office, professional, or technical jobs
  • Direct deposit information (bank account or pay card details)
  • Names and contact information for references (previous supervisors, coworkers)

Some agencies in Atlanta may also:

  • Ask you to complete skills tests (typing, MS Office, customer service, forklift safety, etc.)
  • Require a background check or drug screen, especially for roles at warehouses, hospitals, or financial institutions
  • Have you sign policies about attendance, dress code, and workplace conduct

📝 Tip: Many Atlanta agencies require online applications first. It can save time to apply on their website, then call to schedule an in-person or virtual interview.

Pay Rates and Expectations in Atlanta’s Temp Market

Actual pay varies widely depending on:

  • Type of work (warehouse vs. office vs. technical)
  • Experience level
  • Specific employer and location (in-town vs. suburban campuses)
  • Shift (overnight and weekend shifts may pay more)

What to clarify before you accept an assignment:

  • Hourly pay rate and overtime rules
  • Whether you are guaranteed a minimum number of hours
  • If there is any shift differential for nights or weekends
  • Who you contact if you have issues with timekeeping or pay

Many temp workers in Atlanta receive weekly pay, which can be helpful if you’re trying to manage immediate expenses, but schedules may vary week to week.

Using Temp Work in Atlanta Strategically

Temporary work in Atlanta can be more than just short-term income. Many people use temp agencies to:

  • Break into a new industry – For example, starting in an entry-level office role in Buckhead to move toward a corporate job.
  • Gain local work experience – Especially useful if you just moved to Atlanta and don’t yet have local references.
  • Transition between careers – Work short-term assignments while you train for something else or search for a permanent job.
  • Test out companies – Temp-to-hire roles let you see the culture at an Atlanta employer before committing long-term.

If you’re aiming for permanent work, tell your recruiter you’re interested in temp-to-hire opportunities and ask which clients typically convert temps to regular employees.

Tips for Job Seekers Working With Atlanta Temp Agencies

These practical habits can help you get better assignments and build a good reputation in the local staffing network.

Be Clear About Where You Can Travel

Atlanta traffic and distances can be a challenge. When registering:

  • Give an honest picture of how far you can realistically travel—in-town only, or also Norcross, Marietta, Stone Mountain, etc.
  • Specify whether you rely on MARTA or have access to a car.
  • Ask if the agency has a lot of assignments along your transit route (for example, near the Red/Gold line or along key bus corridors).

Stay in Close Contact

  • Answer calls, texts, and emails promptly—temp assignments often fill same day or within hours.
  • Let the agency know in advance if your availability changes.
  • If an assignment ends, check in regularly to be considered for the next opening.

Perform Well On-Site

Your reputation follows you from site to site:

  • Arrive early on your first day to account for traffic or MARTA delays.
  • Ask for the name of your on-site supervisor and the exact building or gate to use (especially in large warehouses or campus-style offices).
  • Follow the company’s safety and dress code rules—this is especially important for industrial and hospitality sites.
  • Report any major issues to both your on-site supervisor and your agency recruiter.

Consistent reliability often leads to longer assignments, better shifts, and more pay over time.

Tips for Atlanta Employers Using Temp Agencies

If you run or manage a business in Atlanta, especially in sectors like warehouse operations, hospitality, retail, or corporate services, temp agencies can help you manage:

  • Seasonal surges (holidays, convention season, summer events)
  • Short-term projects (inventory, office moves, data clean-up)
  • Coverage for vacations, leaves, or sudden vacancies

When choosing an Atlanta temp agency:

  1. Clarify your staffing needs

    • Number of workers, shifts, job duties, physical requirements.
    • Locations: Are they all at one site (e.g., near I-20 West) or spread across multiple facilities?
  2. Ask about local recruiting reach

    • Do they regularly staff in your exact part of metro Atlanta?
    • Do they know the local transportation constraints and recruit workers who can reliably get to your site?
  3. Understand the bill rate and structure

    • What hourly wage will the worker receive vs. total bill rate your company pays?
    • How do they handle overtime, holidays, and conversions to full-time?
  4. Discuss safety and orientation

    • For industrial or warehouse clients, confirm how they handle worker safety, PPE, and incident reporting.
    • Decide what site-specific training you will provide vs. what the agency will handle.

A good Atlanta temp agency becomes a partner that understands your busy seasons and local labor market, helping you staff more smoothly year-round.

Using Public Transit and Logistics to Your Advantage

Because metro Atlanta is spread out, understanding transportation is essential for temp work:

  • MARTA Rail and Bus

    • Many temp offices and job sites are near stations such as Five Points, Peachtree Center, Midtown, Arts Center, Lindbergh Center, Dunwoody, and Airport.
    • Some warehouse and industrial areas are less accessible by rail and may require bus transfers or a car.
  • Carpool and Rideshare

    • For late-night or early-morning shifts in industrial parks (e.g., off I-20 or near the airport), some workers coordinate carpooling with coworkers.
  • Parking

    • Downtown and Midtown offices may have paid parking only; ask the agency if they validate parking or recommend specific lots.

Quick Transportation Planning Checklist for Atlanta Temp Work

QuestionWhy It Matters in Atlanta
Is the site on or near MARTA?Rail-accessible jobs are often easier to reach on time.
What time does your shift start?Rush hour traffic around I-75/85 and I-285 can be heavy.
Is free parking available?Downtown/Buckhead parking can be costly for low-wage work.
Is overtime common?Late overtime can affect bus/train availability.

Thinking through these details before accepting an assignment can prevent attendance issues that might hurt your standing with the agency.

Getting Started With Temp Agencies in Atlanta

If you’re ready to move forward:

  1. Choose your focus

    • Decide whether you’re mainly interested in warehouse, office, hospitality, healthcare, or professional/technical work.
  2. Identify a few agencies

    • Target agencies located near where you live or where you can reliably commute, such as Downtown, Midtown, Perimeter, or Airport area offices.
  3. Prepare your documents

    • ID, work authorization, resume, and direct deposit info.
  4. Apply and follow up

    • Complete online applications, then call or visit (when allowed) to schedule an interview or onboarding session.
  5. Stay flexible and communicative

    • In Atlanta’s busy and changing job market, flexibility and responsiveness often lead to more—and better—temp assignments.

For many people in Atlanta, temp agencies provide a practical way to earn income quickly, explore different types of work, and sometimes transition into a long-term role with a local employer. By understanding how agencies operate in this city, you can navigate your options with more confidence and make temp work fit your goals and daily life.