Third-Quarter Hiring Outlook Remains Strong

U.S. hiring prospects should “remain strong” in the third quarter, according to a Bureau of National Affairs survey.

Clerical workers probably will see a “marked improvement” in their employment prospects next quarter, as professional and service workers see “fairly steady” job opportunities during the months of July, August and September, the survey said.

About 14 percent of those companies surveyed said they expect to hire additional clerical workers in the third quarter, up from 10 percent in the second quarter, BNA said.

In addition, 21 percent said they expect to hire more technical and professional workers, compared with 20 percent in the second quarter. And 18 percent of employers said they plan to hire new service and production workers next quarter, down from 19 percent this quarter, the survey said.

Even as companies hire more workers, U.S. wages aren’t likely to rise at a rate “that could derail the expansion,” BNA said.