The US staffing industry grew in 2006, but modestly, according to the annual economic analysis of the American Staffing Association. Temporary and contract employment (in terms of headcount) grew at 1.8%, or 52,000 jobs, compared with the overall economy, as measured by GDP, which grew at 3.3%. Staffing industry sales (turnover) did better, growing at 4.1% to $72.3bn (£36.5bn).