Express Employment: Jobs, Pay, Benefits, and How to Get Hired

Express Employment

In 1983, three partners opened a small staffing business in Oklahoma City. In 2025, that same company put about 406,000 people to work and posted $3.67 billion in sales. Express Employment Professionals is now one of the largest staffing firms in the United States, with more than 850 franchise offices on three continents. For job seekers, it can be a fast route into a paycheck. For employers, it is a way to fill roles without running a full hiring process. This guide explains how Express Employment works, what kinds of jobs it offers, how pay and benefits work, and how to decide whether a staffing agency fits your goals.

What Is a Staffing Agency?

A staffing agency, sometimes called an employment agency, connects workers with businesses that need help. The business tells the agency what kind of worker it needs. The agency finds, screens, and places a candidate.

For temporary jobs, the worker is usually employed by the agency, not the business. The agency handles payroll, taxes, and often benefits. The business pays the agency a fee for this service.

Common reasons businesses use staffing agencies include:

• Covering busy seasons, such as holidays or harvest time
• Filling in for workers on leave
• Testing a new role before making it permanent
• Hiring quickly without running ads and interviews themselves

A Short History of Express

Express was founded in 1983 by Robert A. Funk, William H. Stoller, and James Gray after the closing of Acme Personnel, a staffing company based in Washington state. Funk and Stoller later bought out Gray’s shares.

The company began franchising in 1985. A year later, it bought the franchise rights to 30 former Acme offices. Growth came quickly:

Both Funk and Stoller died in 2025. In May 2025, Bob Funk Jr., already the company’s president, became CEO and chairman of the board under a succession plan the founders had prepared.

Express Employment Professionals at a Glance

Staffing Industry Analysts has ranked Express as the sixth-largest staffing firm in the United States. Entrepreneur magazine named it the top staffing franchise in its 2026 Franchise 500, the 15th year in a row.

What the Franchise Model Means for You

Each Express office is owned and run by a local franchise owner. That has two effects. First, the staff in your local office usually know the employers in your area well. Second, details like pay options, holiday pay, and available benefits can vary from one office to another. Always ask your local office about its specific policies.

How Express Employment Works for Job Seekers

The Hiring Process

Express describes a simple four-step path:

1. Apply. Fill out one application online, by phone, or in person at a local office. That single application can match you with many openings.
2. Interview. Meet with an Employment Specialist to talk about your skills, experience, and goals.
3. Get matched. The office connects you with openings from its network of local employers.
4. Get support. After you start, the office checks in and helps with questions on the job.

There is no fee for job seekers. Express states plainly that it charges no fees to workers for its service. The employer pays the agency instead.

What to Have Ready

While each office sets its own steps, it helps to bring:

• A valid photo ID
• Documents that prove you can work in the country, such as a Social Security card or passport in the US
• A short resume or a list of past jobs
• Contact details for two or three references
• Your weekly availability, including any limits on hours

Types of Jobs Available

By Job Arrangement

• Temporary jobs. Short-term assignments that may last a few days, weeks, or months.
• Temp-to-hire jobs. You start as a temporary worker. If you and the employer are a good fit, the business may hire you directly. Express has long called this an evaluation hire.
• Contract roles. Work tied to a specific project or time frame.
• Direct hire. Express recruits for permanent roles where you join the employer’s payroll from day one.

By Industry

Express places workers in a wide range of fields. Common categories include:

• Light industrial: warehouse work, packing, forklift operation, assembly, and production
• Administrative and office: reception, data entry, customer service, and office support
• Skilled trades: maintenance, welding, machining, and electrical work
• Professional roles: accounting, engineering, IT, and management positions
• Healthcare: a growing area that Express expanded in 2025

Part-Time and Flexible Work

Many Express assignments are full-time, but offices also fill part-time, weekend, and seasonal roles. If you need limited hours because of school, family, or another job, tell your Employment Specialist at the start. For more ideas on finding fresh openings fast, see this guide to Part Time Jobs posted in the last three days.

Pay and Benefits

How You Get Paid

Express associates are paid weekly. Many offices pay every Friday. Depending on the office, you can choose:

• Direct deposit to your bank account
• A pay card
• A printed check

Pay rates depend on the job, the employer, and your location. Skilled and professional roles pay more than entry-level assignments.

Benefits for Eligible Associates

Express offices list a range of benefits for eligible temporary associates. One office in Michigan, for example, lists:

• A fixed indemnity medical plan
• Help paying for a Marketplace health plan through an Individual Coverage HRA
• Dental and vision plans
• Term life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Prescription drug reimbursement
• A 401(k) retirement plan
• An Employee Assistance Program
• Holiday pay, depending on the office
• Referral bonuses for bringing in new workers
• Free online training courses through ExpressLearn

Many benefits require you to work a minimum number of hours or weeks first. Ask your local office which benefits you qualify for and when they start.

How Express Employment Works for Employers

Businesses use Express for several reasons:

• Speed. The office already has a pool of screened candidates.
• Less paperwork. For temporary workers, Express handles payroll, taxes, and workers’ compensation.
• Flexibility. Employers can scale their workforce up or down with demand.
• Lower risk. Temp-to-hire lets a business see how someone performs before making a job offer.

Employers usually pay a markup on each temporary worker’s wages. Direct-hire placements usually carry a one-time fee. Rates vary by office, role, and contract.

Pros and Cons of Working Through a Staffing Agency

Pros

• Fast placement. You may start work within days.
• No cost to you. The employer pays the agency.
• Many options. One application can open doors to several employers.
• A path to permanent work. Temp-to-hire roles can turn into full-time jobs.
• New skills. Different assignments help you build a stronger resume.

Cons

• Less job security. Temporary assignments can end with little notice.
• Pay can be lower than for direct employees doing the same work, at least at first.
• Benefits may require waiting periods.
• Changing schedules. Hours may vary from week to week.

Tips for Success With Express Employment

1. Be clear about what you want. Share your pay goals, schedule, and preferred job types.
2. Stay in touch. Call or check in with your office often, especially between assignments.
3. Show up on time. Reliability is the fastest way to earn more assignments and offers.
4. Treat every assignment like a job interview. Many permanent offers come from temp roles.
5. Keep your profile updated. Add new skills, licenses, or certifications as you earn them.
6. Ask questions. If anything about pay, safety, or duties is unclear, talk to your Employment Specialist.

How Express Compares With Other Agencies

Express competes with other large staffing firms such as Robert Half, Adecco, Kelly Services, ManpowerGroup, and Randstad. Some focus more on office and professional roles, while others, like Express, have a strong base in light industrial and local business work. The franchise model also sets Express apart, since local owners run each office.

If you are job hunting, it can make sense to register with more than one agency. Just keep each one updated about your availability so you do not double-book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Express Employment charge job seekers? No. Express says it charges no fees to job seekers. Employers pay for the service.

Is Express a real employer? Yes. For temporary assignments, you are usually employed and paid by your local Express office, even though you work at a client’s site.

How often does Express pay? Weekly. Many offices pay on Fridays.

Can a temporary job become permanent? Yes. Temp-to-hire roles are designed to let you and the employer decide if a permanent hire makes sense.

Does Express offer part-time jobs? Yes. Offices fill full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles, depending on local demand.

Where does Express operate? In the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Getting Started

A staffing agency can be a smart first step when you need work fast, want to try a new field, or hope to turn a temporary role into a permanent job. With more than 850 offices and four decades of experience, Express gives job seekers a large network of local employers to choose from. Visit your nearest office or apply online, be honest about your goals and schedule, and treat each assignment as a chance to prove yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Express Employment Professionals was founded in 1983 in Oklahoma City and runs on a franchise model.
• In 2025, Express posted $3.67 billion in sales and employed about 406,000 people.
• Bob Funk Jr. became CEO and chairman in May 2025.
• The company operates more than 850 offices in five countries.
• Job seekers pay no fees; employers pay for the service.
• Jobs include temporary, temp-to-hire, contract, and direct-hire roles across many industries.
• Associates are paid weekly, and eligible workers can access benefits such as medical, dental, and a 401(k).
• Policies and benefits vary by office, so confirm details locally.