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Best Recruiting Agencies in Des Moines, IA

23 local agencies ranked by performance and reviews

Des Moines ranks as a top insurance industry hub with Principal Financial, Wellmark, and numerous carriers headquartered in the state capital. Finance and government drive stable employment. Recruiters in Des Moines can help you fill insurance, finance, government and healthcare roles.

Agencies considered23ranked by Bayesian-adjusted score
Reviews behind ranking1,363avg 59 per agency
Rankings last refreshedApr 1, 2026 
How we rankRead our methodology→Bayesian adjustment, m=20

Top 4 Des Moines, IA Agencies

1
Cerebral Staffing
4.8(118 reviews)

With over two decades of industry experience, we are a boutique staffing firm based in Des Moines dedicated to creating meaningful connections between talented professionals and exceptional employers. Our team specializes in placements across finance and accounting, administrative support, engineering, IT and technology, manufacturing, and logistics. We take a personalized, relationship-driven approach to every engagement, carefully matching candidates based on skills, cultural fit, and career aspirations. With more than 1,000 successful placements across 40 states, we bring national reach with a personal touch to help both candidates and employers find their perfect alignment.

2
Capstone Healthcare Staffing
4.8(57 reviews)

For over 24 years, Capstone Healthcare Staffing has specialized in connecting healthcare professionals with the right opportunities through a human-centered approach. We believe that staffing is more than matching resumes to roles -- it's about understanding people. As a Joint Commission-certified agency, we're committed to building real relationships and delivering personalized service that puts your goals first.

3
Infinite Resources Staffing & Recruiting
4.7(79 reviews)

Looking for a job? Looking to hire? Look no further. At Infinite Resources, we specialize in connecting Iowa businesses with hardworking, dedicated talent for mutual success. From manufacturing to professional roles, we're committed to filling your unique staffing needs, including hard-to-find bilingual candidates. With a hands-on understanding of the industries we serve, we provide tailored solutions that drive results. Discover how we can help your business thrive--let's build success together.

4
Paragon IT Professionals
4.7(75 reviews)

Paragon IT Professionals is an IT staffing firm helping clients quickly find consultants and full-time talent. While focusing primarily in Minneapolis, Omaha, Des Moines and Arizona, Paragon has national reach. Paragon's core mission is providing the right people, solutions, and skills - on demand so companies can grow strategically while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

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5
Iowa Staffing
4.7(321 reviews)

Our staff has over 70 years' experience in the staffing industry. To provide the highest quality staffing service to our clients that fit all of their needs while at the same time matching our associates with opportunities that fit their skills and background to create a "Win-Win" situation for the customer, the employee, and Iowa Staffing.

6
P3+Uplift (Professional Project Partners, Inc.)
4.6(33 reviews)

Originally founded in 2003 as Professional Project Partners in Des Moines, Iowa, we revolutionized Midwest staff augmentation by building quality partnerships and lasting relationships. Our core recruiting expertise in software development and product delivery led us to create Uplift Delivery in 2020, and in 2024 we officially merged into P3+Uplift, a comprehensive technology solutions provider. We partner with organizations of all sizes, from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 companies, placing Business Analysts, Scrum Masters, Software Developers, QA Engineers, and Technical Project Managers. Our services also include custom software development, UI/UX design, and agile leadership, all delivered with a personal touch that sets us apart.

7
Skywalk Global
4.6(6 reviews)

Skywalk Global is a Technology Company with a Focus on Digital Trends transforming our client's IT landscape. We deliver a full range of services including IT consulting, application development, testing & enterprise solutions. Our committed teams possess a unique blend of technical and functional knowledge. By combining our Information Technology and strategic thinking with the best in People, Technology & Process we deliver clear and measurable high-value outcomes for our clients.

8
QPS Employment Group
4.6(183 reviews)

Get your foot in the door with premier companies in the Kansas City area with one job application! Work with our experienced recruitment professionals who will help find the right job for you. Our team of recruiters and call center representatives are always there to answer your employment questions and lead you to your right career path. QPS Employment Group serves a wide variety of clients throughout multiple industries such as industrial, technical, professional and office staffing. Apply online today or stop by our location for more information!

9
Specialized Recruiting Group of Des Moines
4.6(4 reviews)

At SRG, we leverage our extensive network and community connections, we offer personalized and efficient hiring solutions, ensuring your business gains a competitive edge in attracting the best local talent. We live and work in our community, but have access to resources through our International Headquarters that allow us to provide workforce solutions to find the talent needed to assist with the growth of your success. Follow the link to learn more.

10
LIVIT Staffing
4.5(2 reviews)
11
Xclusive Hospitality Staffing of Reno
4.5(1 review)

Xclusive Services in Jacksonville powers flexible staffing solutions and outsourcing options for the hospitality industry. With over 8,000 Team Members, we serve over 700 premier hotels, resorts, event stadiums, and casinos across 19 states and 33 metro markets. We also cater to educational institutions, sporting venues, and other sectors needing short-term positions, or total outsourcing of housekeeping, janitorial, kitchen, restaurant & bar, and laundry departments. We are trailblazers in hospitality staffing because we share the same values as our clients when it comes to staffing and outsourced services. Our focus on quality, consistency, and reliability has allowed us to build long-term partnerships since 2002.

12
LaborMax Staffing
4.5(103 reviews)

Founded in 2002 with a single office in Las Vegas, we have grown into a nationwide staffing powerhouse with over 105 branches across 31 states. We specialize in deploying pre-screened contingent workers across general labor, warehousing, construction, manufacturing, hospitality, agriculture, transportation, and skilled trades. Our services range from temporary and temp-to-hire placements to direct hire and payroll solutions, all enhanced by AI-driven candidate matching that delivers curated shortlists in hours. Recognized on the Forbes Best Temporary Staffing Firms list, we combine deep local market knowledge with cutting-edge technology to connect businesses with dependable, ready-to-work talent.

13
Insight Global
4.4(42 reviews)

Insight Global is an international professional services and staffing company specializing in delivering talent and technical solutions to Fortune 1000 companies across IT, healthcare, engineering, and more. With more than 70 locations across North America, Europe, and Asia and global staffing capabilities in 50+ countries, our teams of tech-enabled recruiters are dedicated to finding the right talent and technical solutions to help our customers thrive.

14
Labor Solutions
4.2(158 reviews)

Labor Solutions Chicago South is your trusted partner for comprehensive staffing solutions in Chicago. As one of the top temp agencies in the region, we specialize in connecting job seekers with skilled, professional and light industrial jobs. Our dedicated team understands the unique requirements of the industry and strives to match the right talent with the right opportunities. Whether you're a candidate seeking employment or a business searching for reliable workers, we offer tailored staffing solutions to meet your needs. With our extensive network and deep understanding of the local job market, Labor Solutions Chicago South is committed to helping individuals and companies succeed.

15
Percipio Workforce Solutions
4.2(10 reviews)

Local to Des Moines, IA and by activating our 30+ years of experience and in-depth expertise, we help build solutions to tackle your employment needs. Our team understands the needs of your industry and works with you, as a candidate or a business, to help you progress. We are a full-service employment and retention agency ranging from temporary employment services and direct hire to consultative services such as onboarding, training and development, compensation structuring, and more. With a large focus on staffing services, we source talent to fill temporary and hybrid direct hire roles, while the professional placement team will utilize its established nationwide network of experienced recruiters to source challenging professional roles.

16
Just Staffing
4.1(10 reviews)

We provide flexible temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire staffing solutions to businesses across Arizona, Nebraska, and Iowa. Our focus is on delivering highly skilled workers who are ready to contribute from day one, whether clients need short-term coverage for seasonal peaks or the right permanent hire to grow their team. We build strong, lasting relationships with both employers and job seekers, taking the time to understand workplace needs and individual strengths so every placement is a genuine match. Our streamlined process and dedicated team make workforce management simpler, faster, and more effective for the businesses we serve.

17
Snelling
4.1(15 reviews)

Rooted in more than 65 years of national staffing expertise, our Des Moines office brings the Snelling name to the Greater Central Iowa region — serving employers in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, and beyond. Unlike agencies that rely on minimal screening, we personally interview every candidate and conduct thorough background checks before making any placement. Our workforce solutions span direct hire, temp-to-hire, and temporary assignments across manufacturing, light industrial, and professional roles. We believe great staffing starts with real relationships — with employers who need reliable talent and with candidates who deserve honest representation.

18
MANPOWER
3.9(54 reviews)

Locally owned, but globally connected, Manpower is a full-service staffing and recruiting company with nearly 50 years of experience within this market. With multiple regional locations, Manpower is one of the largest staffing and recruiting providers in the country. Whether you are considering temporary or full-time job opportunities, Manpower is the regional leader in employment services. Manpower recruits on behalf of several regional employers throughout West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and beyond. Contact Manpower today to explore what a Recruiter can do for you!

19
Express Healthcare Staffing
3.7(42 reviews)

Express Employment Professionals is in the business of helping people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve in a variety of industries, including Light Industrial, Office Services, Skilled Trades, and Professional. Express offices are locally owned and operated with the support and stability of an international headquarters with more than four decades of experience. Entrepreneur named Express a Top Global Franchise in 2022 and has been ranked the #1 Staffing Franchise since 2012. Since our start in 1983, Express has put more than 10 million people to work in temporary and contract jobs.

20
LGC
3.6(50 reviews)

Since 2003, we have specialized in connecting exceptional talent with businesses across the hospitality industry, from hotels and restaurants to special events and concessions, while expanding our expertise to serve the retail, warehousing, facilities, and environmental sectors. With more than 45 markets nationwide spanning from Indianapolis to cities across the country, we deliver customized staffing solutions including temporary, temp-to-hire, and permanent placements that meet the unique needs of each client and candidate. Our two decades of industry experience have taught us the importance of flexibility, personalized service, and building lasting partnerships, which is why we handle everything from recruiting and screening to payroll and employee management as your Employer of Record. We pride ourselves on our customer-centric approach, deep understanding of the industries we serve, and commitment to creating meaningful connections that drive success for both employers seeking reliable staff and job seekers pursuing rewarding opportunities.

21
Advastar

Advastar is a specialized recruiting and staffing firm headquartered in Kansas City with nationwide capabilities, focused on the engineering, construction, energy, and industrial sectors. Recognized as GE Energy's #1 rated staffing partner, Advastar delivers tailored workforce solutions through contract staffing, contract-to-hire, and direct placement services. Their practice areas span construction, engineering, energy, HVAC, equipment, property management, skilled trades, solar, and manufacturing — along with specialized owner's representation and owner's engineering services that provide expert oversight for large capital projects from planning through completion. Advastar helps companies rapidly scale their workforce for both ongoing hiring needs and peak-demand projects, sourcing everyone from certified tradespeople and technicians to engineers and executives. Known for their deep industry networks, responsive service, and seamless hiring process, Advastar serves as a trusted partner for organizations looking to build high-performing teams across America's critical infrastructure industries.

22
Executive Resources Ltd
23
Focus & Find

We are a board and executive search firm that partners exclusively with socially responsible organizations to build leadership teams that reflect their values. Our patent-pending Focus365 methodology uses masked, merit-based evaluations and AI-powered analytics to ensure every candidate is assessed solely on skills, expertise, and results, free from extraneous identifiers. By eliminating bias from the process, we help our clients build diverse, high-performing workforces that meet modern legal standards and corporate mandates. We work with private enterprises and federal contractors who are serious about sustainable talent strategies and genuine community inclusion.

Other cities in IA

  • West Des Moines, IA29
  • Cedar Rapids, IA23
  • Davenport, IA11
  • Sioux City, IA8
  • Waterloo, IA8

Top industries in Des Moines

  • Manufacturing8
  • Administrative7
  • Construction6
  • IT6
  • Industrial5
  • Skilled Trades5

How These Rankings Work

Scores come from Google Reviews via the Google Places API — never from paid placements, and never set by the agencies themselves. We apply a Bayesian adjusted average to prevent small-sample distortion (a 2-review 5.0-star agency shouldn't outrank a 200-review 4.8-star one):

adjusted_score = (v / (v + m)) * R + (m / (v + m)) * C
  • v— total reviews across all offices
  • m— prior weight (20)
  • R— the agency's weighted average score
  • C— the platform-wide mean

So with a global mean of 4.2: an agency with 5 reviews at 5.0 scores 4.36, while one with 200 reviews at 4.8 scores 4.75. The second outranks the first because the score is backed by more evidence.

Multi-office agencies get a single weighted score across locations. Every listing is human-reviewed before publication. Scores refresh hourly. Read the full methodology →

Frequently asked questions about Des Moines, IA recruiters

How do Des Moines salary ranges for the most-recruited roles compare to national averages?+
Des Moines compensation typically runs 10-15% below coastal markets but tracks closely with Midwest regional averages. Insurance underwriters and actuaries command near-national figures due to heavy concentration of carriers, while financial analysts and accountants sit 5-8% lower than major metro benchmarks. Healthcare roles align with statewide Iowa rates. The lower cost of living—roughly 8% below the national index—makes real purchasing power competitive. Agencies here counsel candidates that total compensation including bonus structures often closes the nominal gap with larger markets.
What types of roles do these Des Moines recruiting agencies typically fill?+
Des Moines agencies concentrate heavily on insurance underwriting, actuarial, claims and risk management positions reflecting the city's status as a major insurance hub. Financial services roles span commercial banking, investment analysis and treasury functions. Healthcare staffing focuses on nursing, allied health and administrative positions for the metro's hospital systems. Professional services placement includes accounting, IT infrastructure and corporate finance roles. Light industrial and logistics staffing serves the distribution centers along the I-35 and I-80 corridors. Several agencies maintain dedicated insurance practices given the sector's dominance in the local economy.
How can I tell if a recruiting agency in Des Moines is reputable?+
Check verified client reviews from companies in your sector—insurance and financial services firms in Des Moines typically vet their agency partners carefully. Ask for placement data showing time-to-fill and candidate retention at 12 months, particularly for specialized roles like actuaries, underwriters or compliance officers. Reputable agencies will share references from hiring managers at comparable Des Moines employers. Verify their recruiters understand Iowa licensure requirements and can articulate how they source passive candidates in a tight regional market. Membership in professional associations provides baseline credibility but shouldn't substitute for performance evidence.
What's typically included in a recruiting agency's fee?+
Agency fees typically cover candidate sourcing, screening, interviewing and placement guarantees. For contingency arrangements common in insurance and financial services roles, expect 20 to 30 percent of first-year salary. Retained searches bill in installments regardless of outcome. Most agreements include replacement guarantees of 30 to 90 days if a hire doesn't work out. Healthcare staffing often operates differently, with markup on hourly wages for contract placements. Fees generally do not cover relocation, background checks or drug screening unless explicitly negotiated into the contract terms.
Is it worth hiring a specialist recruiter over a general staffing agency?+
In Des Moines' insurance and financial services market, specialists consistently outperform generalists on time-to-fill and candidate quality. A recruiter focused on actuarial science or compliance roles maintains active pipelines of credentialed professionals and understands nuanced requirements like Iowa insurance licensing. General agencies spread resources across unrelated sectors, diluting their market intelligence. The fee difference is negligible—both typically charge 20 to 25 percent of first-year salary—but specialists reduce hiring risk substantially. For specialized functions like underwriting or financial analysis, the choice is straightforward.