Is a Seasonal Employee the Same as a Temporary Employee?

For short-term jobs, there are two types of job listings you’ll see all the time: seasonal and temporary. While both are for a set period of time, they’re not the same. Here’s what to know about the important differences between the two and how to figure out which option is best for you.

What is a Seasonal Employee?

As you might have guessed from the name - a seasonal employee is someone who is hired to work a specific season. A common example is a warehouse worker who is hired around the holiday season to help with increased order volume. Once the holiday season is over, their job contract ends. 

What is a Temporary Employee?

A temporary employee is someone who is hired for a short period of time. This can be as little as a few weeks, or up to nearly a year. The specific time period depends on the needs of the employer. Often, employers will hire temporary employees to fill a specific need - for example, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, many employers needed temporary workers to fill in for employees who were too sick to work.

Related Content: How Long Do Temp Jobs Last?

What’s the Difference Between a Seasonal and a Temporary Employee?

While both seasonal and temporary employees work for a limited period of time, the biggest difference between the two is that seasonal employees are hired around specific times of the year while temporary employees work a short period of time set by the employer.

Which One is Better for Me?

To decide whether a seasonal job or a temporary job is right for you, consider the following questions:

• Would I prefer to work a few months at a set time of the year? (ex: September - December, or June-August?). If so, seasonal jobs are the better option.
• Am I open to variable time periods? (ex: I’m ok if a job ends after only a month). If so, temporary jobs are the better option. 
• Do I want to work year-round? If so, temporary jobs are the better option. 
• Am I ok traveling to work, or am I looking for something closer to home? You’re more likely to find seasonal jobs in your area (depending on where you live) whereas temporary jobs will often require travel.

How Do I Find Seasonal and Temporary Jobs Online?

Strom hires seasonal, temporary, and long-term employees for top companies in manufacturing. Browse our open jobs by industry to get started.

Get the Guide: Benefits of Temp Work

Is Temp Work Right for You?

Interested in getting started with temp work? Then you’ll want our FREE guide all about temp jobs: are they right for you, what benefits they offer and most importantly - how to get started finding temp jobs with Strom Engineering. 

What's in the guide?

• Reasons why you might consider a  temporary position over traditional full-time positions.
• How to write a resume specifically for temporary positions.
• How to find temporary work and the benefits of working with a staffing agency.