Key takeaway: The 10 best administrative staffing agencies for 2026 are: Robert Half, Kelly, Beacon Hill Associates, Career Group Companies, The Goodkind Group, Atrium, Clarity Recruiting, Tiger Recruitment, C-Suite Assistants, and Boutique Recruiting. Robert Half and Kelly offer the broadest national coverage for temporary and permanent office staff; Beacon Hill combines national scale with specialty divisions; Career Group, Goodkind, Atrium, and Clarity are the leading boutiques for executive assistants in Los Angeles and New York; Tiger and C-Suite Assistants specialize in senior executive and personal assistants; Boutique Recruiting is strong for permanent administrative hires on the West Coast and remote.
Administrative staffing agencies place executive assistants, administrative assistants, office managers, receptionists, and operations coordinators on temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire terms. The best ones treat executive assistant placement as a specialty rather than a commodity, because a senior EA who runs a CEO's office has more in common with a chief of staff than with a front-desk temp, and the matching process needs to reflect that.
The role is changing faster than most employers realize. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% decline in secretary and administrative assistant employment from 2023 to 2033 as software absorbs routine scheduling and correspondence, yet executive assistant and chief-of-staff roles continue to command rising pay, with median executive secretary pay above $70,000 nationally and far higher in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The American Staffing Association counts office and administrative roles among the largest categories of the roughly 2.5 million temporary and contract workers employed by US staffing firms in an average week.
This list ranks agencies that specialize in administrative and executive support roles. For broader contract labor, see our temp staffing agencies list; for HR leadership searches, see HR executive search firms.
How did we evaluate administrative staffing agencies?
| Criterion | Weight | What we assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Executive assistant specialization | 30% | Depth in senior EA, chief of staff, and personal assistant placements versus general office staffing |
| Speed and reliability | 20% | Time to present candidates for temporary and permanent roles and fill-rate consistency |
| Screening quality | 20% | Skills testing, reference checks, and cultural matching |
| Geographic coverage | 15% | Offices and remote talent across major business centers |
| Flexibility and terms | 15% | Temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire options with clear guarantees |
The 10 agencies at a glance
| # | Firm | Headquarters | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Half | Menlo Park, CA | Companies that need temporary or permanent administrative staff in any US market from a single... |
| 2 | Kelly | Troy, MI | Large employers that want administrative staffing within a broader workforce program |
| 3 | Beacon Hill Associates | Boston, MA | Mid-size and large companies that want dedicated administrative recruiters with national... |
| 4 | Career Group Companies | Los Angeles, CA | Entertainment, finance, and professional services firms in Los Angeles, New York, and other... |
| 5 | The Goodkind Group | New York, NY | New York and New Jersey financial services, legal, and corporate employers hiring... |
| 6 | Atrium | New York, NY | Companies hiring executive assistants and office staff in New York, Boston, and other East... |
| 7 | Clarity Recruiting | New York, NY | New York startups, media, and professional services firms hiring executive assistants, office... |
| 8 | Tiger Recruitment | London, UK | Executives, family offices, and international companies hiring senior EAs, chiefs of staff... |
| 9 | C-Suite Assistants | New York, NY | CEOs and senior executives hiring career executive assistants and chiefs of staff on a... |
| 10 | Boutique Recruiting | San Diego, CA | West Coast and remote companies hiring executive assistants, office managers, and... |
The 10 best administrative staffing agencies
1. Robert Half
Type: Global specialized staffing firm with an administrative and customer support practice Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA Best for: Companies that need temporary or permanent administrative staff in any US market from a single vendor
Robert Half folded its long-running OfficeTeam brand into its administrative and customer support practice, which places executive assistants, administrative assistants, receptionists, office managers, customer service representatives, and data entry staff from more than 300 offices worldwide. Its annual salary guide is the most-cited benchmark for administrative compensation, and its online platform lets clients engage temporary staff quickly. It remains the default choice for companies that value coverage and consistency over boutique curation.
Strengths:
- Largest office footprint for administrative staffing
- Industry-standard salary guide
- Temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent options everywhere
Limitations:
- Less curated matching for senior executive assistant roles
- Volume model can feel impersonal to both clients and candidates
2. Kelly
Type: Global staffing firm with office and professional staffing Headquarters: Troy, MI Best for: Large employers that want administrative staffing within a broader workforce program
Kelly invented modern temporary office staffing in 1946 and still places administrative assistants, receptionists, office clerks, customer service staff, and executive assistants at scale, often as part of broader managed staffing programs for large employers. Its coverage spans the US and dozens of countries, and its compliance infrastructure suits regulated industries and government contractors. It is best for high-volume and multi-site administrative needs rather than single senior executive assistant searches.
Strengths:
- Decades of office staffing experience and global reach
- Strong compliance and managed program capability
- Scales for multi-site administrative needs
Limitations:
- Not a specialist in senior executive assistant placement
- Smaller presence in boutique-dominated markets like Los Angeles entertainment
3. Beacon Hill Associates
Type: Administrative and office staffing division of Beacon Hill Staffing Group Headquarters: Boston, MA Best for: Mid-size and large companies that want dedicated administrative recruiters with national coverage
Beacon Hill Associates is the administrative and office support division of Beacon Hill Staffing Group, which operates from more than 60 offices nationwide and organizes its recruiters by specialty. It places executive assistants, administrative assistants, office managers, receptionists, and operations support staff on temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire terms, and it has grown rapidly by combining specialty focus with national reach. Clients often use it alongside Beacon Hill's legal, financial, and technology divisions.
Strengths:
- Specialty administrative recruiters within a large national firm
- Broad temporary and permanent coverage
- Fast growth and strong client satisfaction ratings
Limitations:
- Branch quality varies
- Less specialized in celebrity or ultra-high-net-worth personal assistant placements
4. Career Group Companies
Type: Boutique administrative, executive support, and creative staffing group Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA Best for: Entertainment, finance, and professional services firms in Los Angeles, New York, and other major markets hiring executive assistants
Career Group Companies has placed executive assistants, administrative professionals, and office staff since 1981 and is the best-known boutique for executive support roles in Los Angeles and New York, with additional offices in San Francisco, Miami, Dallas, and Greenwich. Its divisions cover administrative staffing, executive support search, fashion, creative, and executive search, and its clients include studios, talent agencies, investment firms, and law firms. It is known for a curated, high-touch process and a strong temporary bench.
Strengths:
- Leading executive assistant boutique in Los Angeles and New York
- Strong entertainment, finance, and professional services relationships
- Temporary and permanent coverage across several major markets
Limitations:
- Boutique pricing
- Limited presence outside its office cities
5. The Goodkind Group
Type: Administrative, executive support, and professional staffing Headquarters: New York, NY Best for: New York and New Jersey financial services, legal, and corporate employers hiring administrative and executive support staff
The Goodkind Group has placed administrative, executive support, and professional staff in the New York metropolitan area since 1991, with offices in Manhattan, New Jersey, Long Island, and Florida. It places executive assistants, administrative assistants, office managers, receptionists, and HR and finance support on temporary and permanent terms, and it has particular depth with financial services, law firms, and corporate headquarters. Its long-tenured recruiters and local focus produce strong fill rates in a competitive market.
Strengths:
- Deep New York metro administrative network
- Strong financial services and law firm relationships
- Temporary and permanent coverage
Limitations:
- Regional focus
- Less West Coast or national reach
6. Atrium
Type: Administrative and professional staffing plus workforce solutions Headquarters: New York, NY Best for: Companies hiring executive assistants and office staff in New York, Boston, and other East Coast markets, with contingent workforce programs available
Atrium began as a New York administrative staffing boutique in 1995 and has grown into a national firm that places executive assistants, administrative professionals, and office staff while also running contingent workforce and employer-of-record programs for large companies. Its administrative practice remains a core strength, with offices in New York, Boston, New Jersey, and other East Coast markets, and it is a certified women-owned business, which matters for supplier diversity programs.
Strengths:
- Strong administrative staffing with national workforce solutions
- Certified women-owned business for supplier diversity goals
- East Coast office network
Limitations:
- Administrative focus diluted by broader services
- West Coast coverage is thinner
7. Clarity Recruiting
Type: Administrative, executive support, and operations staffing boutique Headquarters: New York, NY Best for: New York startups, media, and professional services firms hiring executive assistants, office managers, and operations staff
Clarity Recruiting is a New York boutique that places executive assistants, administrative assistants, office managers, operations coordinators, and people operations staff on temporary and permanent terms. It built its reputation with startups, media companies, and professional services firms that want a fast, personal process, and it is known for candid advice on market compensation. Clarity also places HR and recruiting coordinators, which makes it a natural partner for growing companies building their first operations teams.
Strengths:
- Fast, personal process suited to startups and media
- Covers executive support, office management, and people operations
- Strong New York network
Limitations:
- Single-market focus
- Limited senior executive search capability
8. Tiger Recruitment
Type: Executive and personal assistant recruiting with a New York office Headquarters: London, UK Best for: Executives, family offices, and international companies hiring senior EAs, chiefs of staff, and personal assistants
Tiger Recruitment is a London-founded specialist in executive assistant, personal assistant, chief of staff, and private household staffing that operates in New York and Miami as well as London, Dubai, and Zurich. Its US practice serves international businesses, financial firms, and private clients who need senior support staff vetted to a high standard. The firm publishes salary and workplace research on executive support roles and runs a private household division for ultra-high-net-worth families.
Strengths:
- Specialist in senior EA, chief of staff, and private PA roles
- International network for global employers
- Private household staffing capability
Limitations:
- US presence limited to New York and Miami
- Premium fees for specialist placements
9. C-Suite Assistants
Type: Executive assistant search firm Headquarters: New York, NY Best for: CEOs and senior executives hiring career executive assistants and chiefs of staff on a permanent basis
C-Suite Assistants is a search firm dedicated to permanent placements of executive assistants, chiefs of staff, and personal assistants for C-level executives, with offices in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area and recruiters in other major markets. It approaches EA hiring as a search rather than staffing, with detailed intake on the executive's working style and a vetted candidate pool of career assistants. Executives at investment firms, technology companies, and family offices use it when the role is too important to fill from a temp pool.
Strengths:
- Search-style process for senior executive assistants
- Career EA and chief of staff candidate pool
- Coverage in New York, the Bay Area, and other major markets
Limitations:
- Permanent placements only; no temporary staff
- Higher fees than general staffing agencies
10. Boutique Recruiting
Type: Permanent placement firm for administrative, finance, and operations roles Headquarters: San Diego, CA Best for: West Coast and remote companies hiring executive assistants, office managers, and administrative staff on a direct-hire basis
Boutique Recruiting is a San Diego-based firm that places executive assistants, administrative assistants, office managers, and accounting and operations staff on a direct-hire basis for clients across the West Coast and nationally through remote roles. It is known for responsive recruiters and for a strong candidate network in Southern California, and it has grown into finance, HR, and sales support roles alongside administrative placements. Companies that want permanent hires rather than temps use it as an alternative to the national staffing firms.
Strengths:
- Responsive permanent placement process
- Strong Southern California administrative network
- Covers finance and operations support too
Limitations:
- No temporary staffing
- Smaller national footprint
Temporary coverage versus a search for a senior executive assistant
Administrative staffing splits by role importance. Receptionists, administrative assistants, and office coordinators are well served by temporary and temp-to-hire placements from national agencies, with bill rates that include a 40-60% markup on pay and conversion fees that drop the longer the temp has worked. Senior executive assistants and chiefs of staff are different: the best candidates are employed, the match depends heavily on the executive's working style, and a failed hire disrupts the executive's entire office. Those roles justify a search-style process with a boutique like Career Group, Tiger, or C-Suite Assistants at 20-25% of first-year salary.
Companies that hire administrative and operations staff continuously, such as professional services firms and fast-growing startups, can reduce agency dependence with an internal sourcing channel for permanent roles. Our cost-per-hire benchmarks and AI agent versus recruiting agency comparison show where that becomes worthwhile.
How Noon fits alongside administrative staffing agencies
Agencies are the right answer for temporary coverage. For permanent executive assistants, office managers, operations coordinators, and chiefs of staff, companies need to reach experienced candidates who are not applying anywhere. Noon runs autonomous sourcing agents that continuously find and screen candidates across the open web against your actual hiring bar, evaluating the caliber of executives and companies they have supported, then run personalized email and SMS outreach so your team spends time only with interested, qualified people. It is one flat plan with unlimited roles and seats (see pricing). Teams use an agency for temps and Noon as the always-on channel for permanent support roles; our hiring best practices guide covers how to structure the process.
FAQ
What is an administrative staffing agency? An administrative staffing agency recruits and places executive assistants, administrative assistants, office managers, receptionists, and similar support staff on temporary, temp-to-hire, or direct-hire terms. For temporary roles the agency is the employer of record and handles payroll and compliance.
How much do executive assistant recruiters charge? Direct-hire fees for executive assistants typically run 20-25% of first-year base salary at boutiques and 18-22% at national agencies. Temporary placements are billed hourly with a markup of roughly 40-60% on the assistant's pay rate, and temp-to-hire conversions carry a reduced fee.
Which agency is best for a CEO's executive assistant? Career Group Companies, C-Suite Assistants, and Tiger Recruitment specialize in senior executive assistant and chief of staff placements. The Goodkind Group, Atrium, and Clarity Recruiting are strong for senior EAs in New York, and Robert Half and Beacon Hill cover the role nationally.
Can I hire a temporary executive assistant? Yes. Robert Half, Kelly, Beacon Hill, Career Group, Goodkind, and Atrium all place temporary and temp-to-hire executive assistants, which is common for leave coverage or to trial a candidate before a permanent offer.
How quickly can an administrative staffing agency fill a role? National agencies can usually place a temporary receptionist or administrative assistant within one to three business days. Permanent executive assistant searches typically take three to six weeks because the best candidates are employed and interviews with the executive take time to schedule.