Quick answer: Yes, most temp agencies pay weekly. You’re usually paid by direct deposit for the hours you worked the week before, so your first paycheck normally arrives 1 to 2 weeks after your first shift. Some agencies pay every two weeks or offer same-day pay, and your state’s law sets the minimum schedule they must follow.
Starting a temp job? Knowing when the money hits your account matters as much as the hourly rate. This guide covers how temp agencies pay you, when to expect your first check, what a weekly paycheck looks like in dollars, the pay rules in five states, and what to do if your pay is late.
Do temp agencies pay weekly or biweekly?
Most pay weekly. It’s the standard for hourly, shift-based temp work like warehouse, manufacturing, logistics and general labor jobs.
Those industries already lean weekly. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 65.4% of construction businesses and 43.4% of manufacturers pay weekly, compared with 27.0% of all private employers. Biweekly is the most common schedule overall, at 43.0%.
Here’s how it usually breaks down in staffing:
- Weekly: most light industrial, warehouse, general labor, hospitality and many clerical temp jobs.
- Biweekly (every two weeks): more common for professional, IT and healthcare contract roles and longer assignments.
- Daily or same-day: offered by some day-labor agencies and staffing apps, often through an instant-pay app or pay card, sometimes for a fee.
At Jomsom Staffing, all temporary employees are paid weekly. You can choose direct deposit, a paper check or a pay card, whichever works best for you (see our job seeker FAQ).
What does a weekly paycheck look like in dollars?
Here’s an example for a warehouse temp earning $18.00 an hour, before taxes:
| Hours worked | Weekly check | Biweekly check |
|---|---|---|
| 40 hours a week | $720.00 | $1,440.00 |
| 45 hours a week (5 hours of overtime at $27.00) | $855.00 | $1,710.00 |
| 30 hours a week (part-time) | $540.00 | $1,080.00 |
You earn the same total either way. Weekly pay just gets money to you sooner and in smaller amounts, which makes rent, gas and bills easier to plan. Your take-home pay will be lower than these numbers after federal and state income tax, Social Security and Medicare are withheld.
Weekly vs. biweekly pay: which is better for you?
Neither one pays you more. The difference is timing, and timing matters when you’re starting a new job or living paycheck to paycheck.
| Weekly pay | Biweekly pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Paychecks per year | 52 | 26 |
| Wait for first check | Usually 1–2 weeks | Often 2–3 weeks |
| Size of each check | Smaller | Larger |
| Best for | Covering weekly costs like gas, groceries and childcare | Planning around monthly bills like rent |
| Overtime shows up | On the next check | Up to two weeks later |
A simple budgeting tip for weekly pay: set aside a quarter of each check toward rent. After four paychecks, your monthly rent is covered without one big hit.
How much do temp agencies pay per hour?
Pay depends on the job, your experience and where you live. Here are national average hourly wages for common jobs in the temporary help services industry, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, along with what that works out to for a 40-hour week:
| Temp job | Average hourly wage | Weekly pay at 40 hours (before taxes) |
|---|---|---|
| Hand packer / packager | $17.34 | $693.60 |
| General office clerk | $19.41 | $776.40 |
| Customer service representative | $19.56 | $782.40 |
| Warehouse laborer / material mover | $20.12 | $804.80 |
| Forklift operator | $21.84 | $873.60 |
| All temp jobs (average) | $24.73 | $989.20 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Temporary Help Services , May 2023. Wages in your area may be higher or lower.
Shift differentials, overtime and certifications (like a forklift license) can raise your pay. Ask your recruiter what each assignment pays before you accept it. You can browse current roles and rates on our job search page.
Who pays you: the temp agency or the company?
The staffing agency pays you, not the company where you work. As a W-2 temp, you’re the agency’s employee. The agency runs payroll, withholds your taxes, covers workers’ compensation and sends your pay. It then bills the client company for your hours.
That’s also why a legitimate agency doesn’t take a “cut” from your paycheck. The agency’s fee is added on top of your wage and charged to the client. At Jomsom, our job placement services are free for job seekers. Your paystub should show your full hourly rate, with only normal deductions like taxes and any benefits you choose.
When will I get my first paycheck from a temp agency?
Most agencies pay “in arrears.” That means this week’s paycheck covers last week’s work. Here’s a typical first-paycheck timeline on a weekly schedule:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Week 1, Monday | You start your assignment. Your hours are tracked by timesheet, time clock or app. |
| Week 1, Sunday | The pay week ends. |
| Week 2, Monday | Your supervisor approves your hours. Missing approvals are the most common reason pay is delayed. |
| Week 2, Friday | You’re paid for Week 1, about 12 days after your first shift. |
| Every week after | You’re paid for the week before. |
Exact days differ by agency and by client. Your recruiter will tell you your payday and timesheet deadline during onboarding. If they don’t, ask before your first shift.
Temp agency pay laws by state
Federal law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, doesn’t say how often you must be paid. Each state sets its own minimum. An employer can always pay more often than the minimum, which is why weekly pay is common even in states that only require twice a month.
Here are the rules in the states where Jomsom has offices:
| State | Minimum pay frequency |
|---|---|
| Florida | No state law on pay frequency. The employer sets the schedule (U.S. Department of Labor, State Payday Requirements). |
| Nevada | At least twice a month. Paying more often is allowed (Nevada Revised Statutes §608.060). |
| New York | Manual workers must be paid weekly, no later than 7 days after the week ends. Clerical and other workers at least twice a month (NY Labor Law §191). |
| New Jersey | Temp workers must be paid at least twice a month and can choose cash, check or direct deposit (NJ Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights). |
| Texas | Non-exempt employees at least twice a month (Texas Payday Law). |
New York: are you a “manual worker”?
This matters for warehouse, factory and other hands-on temp jobs on Long Island. The New York State Department of Labor treats anyone who spends more than 25% of their working time on physical labor as a manual worker. That includes standing, lifting, carrying, cleaning and running machines. Manual workers must be paid every week.
New Jersey: extra protections for temps
Under the Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights, New Jersey temp agencies can’t charge you for transportation to the job site, check cashing, background checks or drug tests. Your paystub must also show your hours at each client and your rate of pay.
How to read your temp pay stub
Check your pay stub every week, especially your first few. It’s the fastest way to catch a mistake. Here’s what each part means:
- Pay period: the dates your check covers. On a weekly schedule, this is usually the week before payday.
- Hours worked: regular hours and overtime hours listed separately. Compare them with your own notes.
- Rate of pay: your hourly rate, and your overtime rate (1.5 times your regular rate).
- Gross pay: your total earnings before anything is taken out.
- Deductions: federal income tax, state income tax (Florida, Nevada and Texas don’t have one), Social Security, Medicare and any benefits you chose.
- Net pay: what actually lands in your account.
- Year-to-date (YTD): your running totals for the year. Handy for tax time.
If you work in New Jersey, your stub must also list your hours at each client company, so you can see exactly where your hours came from.
When do you get your last paycheck from a temp agency?
When an assignment ends, you’re still the agency’s employee, so your final hours are paid by the agency. Usually that’s on your next regular payday. If you’re leaving the agency completely, some states set tighter deadlines:
| State | If you’re let go | If you quit |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | No state final-pay law. Paid on the employer’s normal schedule. | |
| Nevada | Immediately (NRS 608.020) | By the next regular payday or within 7 days, whichever comes first (NRS 608.030) |
| New York | By the next regular payday (NY Labor Law §191) | |
| New Jersey | By the next regular payday | |
| Texas | Within 6 calendar days | By the next regular payday (Texas Workforce Commission) |
An assignment ending isn’t the same as leaving the agency. At Jomsom, when one assignment wraps up, we work to place you in your next one. Just keep in touch and tell your recruiter when you’re available.
How do temp agencies pay you?
- Direct deposit: the most common option. Your pay goes straight to your bank account on payday.
- Pay card: a prepaid debit card loaded each payday. Helpful if you don’t have a bank account. Under federal law, an employer can’t make a pay card your only choice (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau).
- Paper check: less common now, but still offered by many agencies, including Jomsom.
- Early pay apps: some agencies let you take part of your earned pay before payday. Check whether there’s a fee first.
Do temp agencies pay daily?
Some do, but it’s not the norm. Day-labor agencies and on-demand staffing apps may pay the same day or the next day, usually for one-off shifts. Most traditional staffing agencies, especially for multi-week and temp-to-hire jobs, pay weekly. If you need cash fast, ask your agency whether early pay access is available.
What to do if your temp paycheck is late or wrong
- Check that your hours were approved. Most late checks come from a missing timesheet or supervisor sign-off.
- Call your recruiter or the agency’s payroll team, not the client. The agency is your employer and the one who pays you.
- Compare your paystub with your hours. Check regular hours, overtime at 1.5 times your rate after 40 hours in a week (for example, $27.00 an hour if your rate is $18.00), and deductions.
- Keep your own record. Write down your start and end times each day. A photo of the time clock helps.
- Contact your state labor department if the agency doesn’t fix the problem.
Questions to ask a staffing agency about pay
Before you accept your first assignment, get clear answers to these:
- How often do you pay, and what day is payday?
- When are timesheets due, and how do I submit them?
- What’s the hourly rate for this assignment, and is there overtime?
- Can I choose direct deposit, a paper check or a pay card?
- Are there any fees taken out of my pay? (The answer should be no.)
- Do you offer benefits to temporary employees?
- Who do I call if something on my paycheck looks wrong?
A good agency will answer all of these during onboarding, without you having to dig. Read more about what to expect from a staffing agency.
Tips to get paid on time, every time
- Set up direct deposit during onboarding so your first check isn’t held up in the mail.
- Clock in and out every shift, and turn in timesheets before the cutoff.
- Ask your recruiter three questions on day one: When is payday? When are timesheets due? Who do I call about pay?
- Tell the agency right away if your bank details or address change.
Frequently asked questions
Do temp agencies take money out of your paycheck?
A legitimate agency doesn’t take a fee from your pay. It charges the client company instead. Your check should only have normal deductions like federal and state income tax, Social Security and Medicare, plus any benefits you sign up for.
Do temp workers get overtime?
Yes. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, non-exempt temps must get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour over 40 in a workweek. The agency pays the overtime.
Do temp workers get benefits?
Sometimes. It depends on the agency and location. Many Jomsom Staffing franchise locations offer medical, dental, vision and other benefits to temporary employees.
Do I pay taxes as a temp worker?
Yes. Most temps are W-2 employees of the agency, so taxes come out of each paycheck and you get a W-2 form at the end of the year, just like a regular job.
Do I still get paid weekly on a temp-to-hire job?
Yes, while you’re on the agency’s payroll you’re paid on the agency’s schedule. If the company hires you permanently, you move to its payroll, which may be biweekly. Learn more about how temporary jobs can lead to permanent careers.
Can I work more than one assignment to earn more?
Often, yes. At Jomsom, we’ll help you work multiple assignments if you want to increase your earnings.
Can a temp agency hold my first paycheck?
No. Your wages are due on the agency’s regular payday for the period you worked, under your state’s pay laws. Paying “in arrears” (a week behind) is normal, but an agency can’t hold earned pay as a deposit or until you finish an assignment.
Do temp agencies pay for holidays?
It depends on the agency. No federal law requires paid holidays for any worker. Some agencies offer holiday pay to temps who meet hours requirements, and you’ll get overtime if holiday hours push you past 40 in a week. Ask your recruiter about the policy.
How much does a temp agency pay per hour?
Across all temp jobs, the national average was $24.73 an hour in May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level warehouse and packing jobs often pay $17 to $21 an hour, while skilled and healthcare roles pay more.
Is it better to get paid weekly or biweekly?
You earn the same either way. Weekly pay gets money to you faster and makes weekly expenses easier to cover. Biweekly pay means fewer, larger checks, which some people find easier for monthly bills.
Find a temp job that pays weekly
Jomsom Staffing has placed workers in commercial, light industrial, clerical, IT and healthcare jobs since 2008. Every temporary employee is paid weekly, and our services are free for job seekers. We have offices in Tampa, FL, Las Vegas, NV, Long Island, NY, Monmouth Junction, NJ and Fort Bend County, TX.
Search open jobs or contact your nearest office to get started. New to staffing? Read the benefits of using a staffing agency vs. applying directly.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Length of Pay Periods in the Current Employment Statistics Survey”; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS Temporary Help Services, May 2023; U.S. Department of Labor, “State Payday Requirements”; U.S. Department of Labor, Fair Labor Standards Act; NY Labor Law §191; Nevada Revised Statutes §608.060; NJ Department of Labor, Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights; Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Payday Law and final pay rules; Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, payroll card bulletin. Paycheck examples are illustrative and shown before taxes. This article is general information, not legal advice; check your state labor department for current rules.
