Kelly Named No. 2 on Forbes' 2026 Lists of America's Best Temporary Staffing and Best Professional Recruiting Firms

Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA), a global workforce strategy and solutions provider, was ranked No. 2 on Forbes' 2026 lists of America's Best Temporary Staffing Firms and Best Professional Recruiting Firms.

Rhea-AI Summary

Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA), a global workforce strategy and solutions provider, was ranked No. 2 on Forbes' 2026 lists of America's Best Temporary Staffing Firms and Best Professional Recruiting Firms.

The recognition, based on a survey of 13,800 recruiters, HR managers, and job seekers, aligns with Kelly's strategic investments in technology, AI-powered workforce solutions, and leadership as it approaches its 80th anniversary, connecting more than 375,000 people with work annually.

Argus May 19 session

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Details

News Market Reaction – KELYB

On May 19, the day this news came out, KELYB closed 9.88% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 19 session.

Key Figures

Forbes ranking: No. 2 Survey participants: 13,800 participants Company anniversary: 80th anniversary +4 more

Forbes ranking

No. 2

2026 lists of America’s Best Temporary Staffing and Best Professional Recruiting Firms

Survey participants

13,800 participants

Recruiters, HR managers, and job seekers surveyed by Forbes/Statista

Company anniversary

80th anniversary

Kelly approaching 80th anniversary in October 2026

People connected yearly

375,000 people

Number of people Kelly connects with work each year

Education rank

Largest provider

Nation’s largest provider of education workforce solutions

Engineering rank

Second largest

Second largest engineering staffing firm

Technology rank

11th largest

11th largest technology staffing provider

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 07

5 events

1. May 07

   Q1 2026 earnings

   24h Move

   -2.9%

   Revenue and EBITDA declines with operating loss and cautious near-term outlook.

2. May 04

   Provider awards

   24h Move

   -1.4%

   Pediatric Therapy provider recognition and bonus awards during Teacher Appreciation Week.

3. May 04

   Educator awards

   24h Move

   -1.4%

   Substitute Educators of the Year and runner-up recognition with cash awards.

4. Apr 23

   Earnings call notice

   24h Move

   -3.2%

   Announcement of timing and access details for Q1 2026 earnings webcast.

5. Mar 10

   Leadership appointment

   24h Move

   -5.8%

   Appointment of Joel Leege to lead SETT segment and drive profitable growth.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

business process outsourcing, managed service provider, recruitment process outsourcing

3 terms

business process outsourcing technical

"global workforce capabilities span staffing, business process outsourcing, managed service provider..."

Business process outsourcing is when a company hires an outside firm to perform routine operational tasks—such as payroll, customer support, IT operations, or back-office administration—so the company can focus on its core products or services. Investors care because outsourcing often lowers costs, improves scalability and flexibility, and shifts operational risks; changes in a company’s outsourcing strategy can therefore affect profit margins, growth prospects and regulatory or service-quality risks.

managed service provider technical

"global workforce capabilities span staffing, business process outsourcing, managed service provider..."

A managed service provider (MSP) is a company that remotely runs and maintains another organization’s technology systems—like networks, servers, security, or cloud services—on a continuous, contract basis. Think of it as hiring a building superintendent who ensures everything runs, gets fixed quickly, and is upgraded when needed. For investors, MSPs matter because they typically generate steady, recurring income, reduce client churn, and concentrate operational and security risks that affect profitability and growth.

recruitment process outsourcing technical

"managed service provider, and recruitment process outsourcing solutions to address clients’ total talent..."

A service where a company outsources all or part of its hiring activities to an external specialist that manages sourcing, screening, interviewing and onboarding candidates. Think of it like hiring a catering company to handle every meal at an event so the host can focus on other tasks; for investors, it matters because it can lower and stabilize recruiting costs, speed workforce scaling, improve hiring quality, and shift hiring risk off the company’s balance sheet.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Rankings add to series of industry recognitions as company approaches its 80th anniversary

TROY, Mich., May 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kelly (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), a global workforce strategy and solutions provider, has been named No. 2 on Forbes' 2026 lists of America's Best Temporary Staffing and Best Professional Recruiting Firms. The rankings were announced by Forbes and Statista Inc. and are based on a survey of 13,800 participants composed of recruiters, HR managers, and job seekers.

"These rankings reflect what Kelly does best: solving our clients’ most complex workforce challenges and connecting talented people to meaningful work," Kelly CEO Chris Layden said. "We meet critical workforce needs across specialized sectors like life sciences, engineering, technology, and education, and this recognition affirms that we are committed to ensuring every client and candidate we serve experiences the full strength of our expertise."

The Forbes recognition comes at a time of strategic investments in people, technology, and capabilities as Kelly approaches its 80^th anniversary in October. In 2026, Kelly strengthened the senior leadership team with key appointments focused on accelerating organic growth. The company is investing in a modernized technology stack, and its portfolio spans the full spectrum of AI-powered workforce solutions:

• Kelly connects more than 375,000 people with work every year and the company has been recognized for its industry-leading scale as the nation’s largest provider of education workforce solutions, the second largest engineering staffing firm, the fourth-largest life sciences staffing firm, and 11^th largest technology staffing provider. In addition, KellyOCG consistently ranks among the top outsourcing and consulting firms, according to HRO Today and Everest Group.
• The company’s global workforce capabilities span staffing, business process outsourcing, managed service provider, and recruitment process outsourcing solutions to address clients’ total talent management needs, from filling single specialized roles to managing the full contingent and permanent workforce at enterprise scale.
• Kelly’s technology-enabled and AI-powered offerings keep people at the center, delivering a differentiated experience for clients and candidates, deeper workforce data and insights, and the speed and precision to match the right talent to the right opportunities.
  

Earlier this year, Kelly was also recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Midsize Companies and one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture. Kelly has also been featured on USA Today’s list of America’s Climate Leaders and Newsweek’s ranking of America’s Most Patriotic Companies.

About Kelly^®
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB) helps companies recruit and manage skilled workers and helps job seekers find great work. Since inventing the staffing industry in 1946, we have become experts in the many industries and local and global markets we serve. With a network of suppliers and partners around the world, we connect approximately 375,000 people with work every year. Our suite of outsourcing and consulting services and solutions ensures companies have the people they need, when and where they are needed most. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, we empower businesses and individuals to access limitless opportunities in industries such as science, engineering, technology, education, manufacturing, retail, finance, and energy. Revenue in 2025 was $4.3 billion. Learn more at kellyservices.com.

Media Contact
Christian Taske
248-561-8823
christian.taske@kellyservices.com

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What Forbes 2026 recognition did Kelly (NASDAQ: KELYA) receive for staffing and recruiting?

Kelly was ranked No. 2 on Forbes' 2026 lists of America's Best Temporary Staffing and Best Professional Recruiting Firms. According to Kelly, the rankings were based on a survey of 13,800 recruiters, HR managers, and job seekers across the United States.

How were Kelly's 2026 Forbes staffing and recruiting rankings determined?

Kelly's No. 2 rankings were based on a survey of 13,800 participants, including recruiters, HR managers, and job seekers. According to Kelly, Forbes and Statista compiled these lists to highlight top-performing temporary staffing and professional recruiting firms in the American market.

What does Kelly's Forbes 2026 ranking mean for KELYA investors?

The No. 2 Forbes rankings highlight strong brand recognition and perceived service quality in staffing and recruiting. According to Kelly, this recognition aligns with strategic investments in people, technology, and AI-powered capabilities as the company targets organic growth and approaches its 80th anniversary.

How many people does Kelly connect with work each year according to its 2026 update?

Kelly connects more than 375,000 people with work annually across its global operations. According to Kelly, its portfolio includes AI-powered staffing, outsourcing, and talent management solutions spanning life sciences, engineering, technology, and education sectors in the United States and worldwide.

What specialized sectors does Kelly focus on as highlighted alongside its 2026 Forbes ranking?

Kelly focuses on life sciences, engineering, technology, and education staffing and workforce solutions. According to Kelly, it is the nation’s largest provider of education workforce solutions, the second largest engineering staffing firm, and a top-tier provider in life sciences and technology staffing.

What other recent recognitions has Kelly (KELYA) reported in addition to Forbes 2026 rankings?

Kelly has also been named one of America's Best Midsize Companies and Best Employers for Company Culture by Forbes. According to Kelly, it has appeared on USA Today’s America’s Climate Leaders list and Newsweek’s ranking of America’s Most Patriotic Companies.