When you arrived on campus four years ago, you probably didn’t worry too much about the kind of job you’d get after graduation. After all, isn’t that what the degree is for: to give you a leg up in your career?
But now that you’ve got your diploma in hand, you’ve quickly realized it’s not opening the doors you’d hoped it would. And when all your friends and relatives start asking “So what’s next for you?”, panic starts to set in.
It’s true, the last couple of summers have not been kind to recent grads. While not falling, year-over-year job growth is barely holding steady. And as we’ve written about before, employers in the Hudson Valley region are likely to stay cautious when it comes to hiring permanent workers, at least while economic conditions remain tepid.
However, there’s a silver lining: many specialized jobs still need to get done, which means we’re seeing Hudson Valley companies bringing on temp workers to fill the gap. In this article, we’ll walk through 30 of the most in-demand temp roles (organized by degree program), along with an idea of how much you can expect to make in each.
Key Takeaways
- Temp jobs in the Hudson Valley aren’t a fallback; they’re a strategic first move. With permanent hiring staying cautious through 2026, temp and temp-to-hire roles offer recent grads a way to stay employed, build field-specific skills, and earn 15–20% above comparable permanent positions while their job search continues.
- Your degree opens more doors than you think. From horticulture grads stepping into peak-season landscaping work to IT majors applying data skills in warehouse logistics, the roles hiring right now reward specialized training in ways that entry-level permanent positions rarely do this early.
- The fastest path to a permanent role is often through a temp one. Many of the positions listed here are temp-to-hire, meaning strong performance — not additional applications — is what converts them into full-time careers.
Why Temp Jobs Can Be a Good Way to Start Your Career
There’s a pernicious myth out there that starting with a temp agency will hurt your career in the long run. In our experience, that’s not remotely true. Careers face setbacks because workers perform poorly or don’t show up to work on time, not because they started out as temp.
In fact, we’ve hired hundreds of workers who start out temp, do an amazing job in the role, and either convert to full-time (even those that weren’t technically “temp-to-perm”) or go onto succeed at other organizations.
Here are a few reasons why a temp job can be a great launchpad for your career:
- You can avoid a major career gap between your graduation date and first permanent hire, which could be anywhere from 30 days to six months
- You maintain financial stability while working in a role that earns 15-20% above a comparable permanent position (based on our own proprietary data)
- You can build skills that are transferrable to other jobs in your field (e.g. QuickBooks, WMS logistics, patient care)
- You can start building relationships with potential referrals and references, which can open even more doors
- You can see what it’s actually like to work in your field without having to make a long-term commitment
On top of that, we talk to a lot of graduates who are still figuring out what to do next after they finish school. Temp jobs give you a way to keep earning and learning while you decide if staying in your field, or even the Hudson Valley area, is right for you.
Which Temp Jobs Are in Demand for Recent Graduates in 2026?
In-demand temp jobs for recent graduates run the gamut, with some roles requiring extensive training in a specific niche, while others fit people who are just starting out.
Here are some of the roles we’re hiring for right now, as well as others that we get requests for frequently. If your degree is in any of these areas, the following positions could be a good next step for your career.
Healthcare & Human Services
Recent healthcare and human services graduates are among the most immediately employable new grads in the Hudson Valley job market right now. The NY DOL recently reported a 3.9% increase in jobs, which significantly outpaces the state’s average growth.
If you have a degree in nursing, human services, or related field, the following roles could help you build up your clinical hours, satisfy licensure requirements, and gain supervised experience across care settings:
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Provides hands-on patient care including bathing, feeding, and mobility assistance under the supervision of licensed nursing staff in residential or clinical settings.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Delivers basic nursing care such as wound treatment, medication administration, and vital sign monitoring under the direction of registered nurses and physicians.
- Registered Nurse (RN). Assesses patient conditions, develops care plans, administers treatments, and coordinates with interdisciplinary teams to deliver acute or long-term care.
- Direct Support Professional (DSP). Assists individuals with developmental disabilities in daily living activities, community integration, and personal goal achievement across residential and school-based programs.
- Personal Care Aide / Home Health Aide (PCA/HHA). Supports clients in their homes with personal hygiene, light household tasks, meal preparation, and companionship to promote independent living.
- Summer Camp Nurse – LPN & RN. Manages health services, administers medications, and responds to medical needs for campers and staff throughout the duration of a residential summer program.
| Role | Degree(s) Fit | Avg. Wage ($/hr) | Avg. Salary ($/yr) |
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | Nursing, Health Sciences | $24 | $43,000 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | Nursing, Health Sciences | $32 | $58,000 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Nursing, Health Sciences | $45 | $81,000 |
| Direct Support Professional (DSP) | Psychology, Social Work, Human Services | $20 | $36,000 |
| Personal Care Aide / Home Health Aide (PCA/HHA) | Health Sciences, Gerontology, Human Services | $19 | $34,000 |
| Summer Camp Nurse (LPN) | Nursing, Health Sciences | $38 | Seasonal |
| Summer Camp Nurse (RN) | Nursing, Health Sciences | $42 | Seasonal |
Architecture & Design
Although Hudson Valley is experiencing a downturn in construction employment right now, there is still demand for entry-level and temp workers to staff projects that are already in development. Some in-demand roles include:
- Project Architect. Leads design development, construction documentation, and client coordination on building projects from schematic phase through construction administration.
- Architectural Drafting Technician. Produces detailed technical drawings, CAD plans, and construction documents in support of licensed architects and project teams.
- Facilities Maintenance Coordinator. Oversees scheduling and execution of building maintenance, vendor coordination, and compliance inspections to keep commercial or residential properties operational.
- Construction Project Support Assistant. Assists project managers with scheduling, materials tracking, subcontractor communication, and on-site documentation across active construction sites.
- Interior Space Planner. Develops functional layout plans and space utilization strategies for commercial or residential interiors, balancing aesthetic goals with code and budget requirements.
| Role | Degree(s) Fit | Avg. Wage ($/hr) | Avg. Salary ($/yr) |
| Project Architect | Architecture | $52 | $94,000 |
| Architectural Drafting Technician | Architecture | $28 | $50,000 |
| Facilities Maintenance Coordinator | Architecture, Construction Management | $26 | $47,000 |
| Construction Project Support Assistant | Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering | $27 | $49,000 |
| Interior Space Planner | Interior Architecture, Spatial Design | $30 | $54,000 |
Accounting & Finance
If you just graduated with an accounting, finance, or related degree, there is a flurry of both temp and temp-to-perm roles. This is especially true for companies who are either behind the AI automation curve or simply can’t implement AI for liability and data privacy reasons. We’re specifically seeing an interest in bookkeepers who have QuickBooks proficiency.
These roles include:
- Part-Time Accounting Support. Manages data entry, invoice processing, and basic bookkeeping tasks using QuickBooks to support a small business or departmental finance function.
- Retail Inventory Control Analyst. Monitors stock levels, reconciles inventory discrepancies, and generates reporting to minimize shrinkage and support accurate financial forecasting.
- Warehouse Operations Cost Tracker. Tracks labor, materials, and overhead costs across warehouse functions to identify inefficiencies and support departmental budget management.
- Shipping & Receiving Lead – Warehouse Operations. Oversees inbound and outbound shipment processing, team coordination, and documentation accuracy across a high-volume warehouse facility.
- Accounts Payable / Receivable Clerk. Processes vendor invoices, customer payments, and account reconciliations to maintain accurate and current financial records.
- Payroll Support Specialist. Assists with timesheet collection, payroll data entry, and compliance reporting to ensure accurate and timely employee compensation.
| Role | Degree(s) Fit | Avg. Wage ($/hr) | Avg. Salary ($/yr) |
| Warehouse Operations Cost Tracker | Accounting, Finance, Operations Management | $24 | $43,000 |
| Accounts Payable / Receivable Clerk | Accounting, Finance, Business Administration | $25 | $45,000 |
| Payroll Support Specialist | Accounting, Bookkeeping | $27 | $49,000 |
| Retail Inventory Control Analyst | Accounting, Supply Chain, Finance | $23 | $41,000 |
| Shipping & Receiving Lead – Warehouse Operations | Supply Chain, Finance, Operations | $22 | $40,000 |
Legal & Administrative
Graduating with a pre-law or criminal justice degree can set you up for numerous roles in the legal profession, especially as the field faces a shortage of lawyers and must, as a result, pass that work onto other professionals in the office. On top of that, general administrative positions are always in demand, which is why we’re always looking for roles like the following:
- Legal Assistant – Law Firm. Supports attorneys with case file management, legal research, document drafting, client correspondence, and court filing preparation.
- Medical Receptionist. Manages patient check-in, appointment scheduling, insurance verification, and front-desk communications for a clinical or medical office environment.
- Administrative Coordinator. Provides organizational and clerical support to legal teams, including calendar management, document control, and internal communications.
- Office Manager / Executive Assistant. Maintains daily office operations, supports senior staff with scheduling and correspondence, and coordinates logistics across departments or practice areas.
- Compliance Documentation Clerk. Organizes, files, and tracks regulatory and compliance documents to ensure records are accurate, accessible, and audit-ready.
- Client Services Representative. Serves as a primary point of contact for clients, managing inquiries, directing communications, and supporting a positive service experience across professional or legal environments.
| Role | Degree(s) Fit | Avg. Wage ($/hr) | Avg. Salary ($/yr) |
| Legal Assistant – Law Firm | Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Pre-Law | $28 | $50,000 |
| Medical Receptionist | Health Administration, Communications, Administration | $21 | $38,000 |
| Administrative Coordinator | Business Administration, Communications | $26 | $47,000 |
| Office Manager / Executive Assistant | Business Administration, Communications | $30 | $54,000 |
| Compliance Documentation Clerk | Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Administration | $25 | $45,000 |
| Client Services Representative | Communications, Public Administration | $23 | $41,000 |
IT & Data Analytics
Given the tightening of the IT market right now, it may be surprising to hear that there are in-demand roles for individuals with IT or data analytics degrees. But the fact is the skills you learn in these programs transfer into a variety of fields, including logistics, manufacturing operations, and warehouse management.
Here are just a few of the roles we’re hiring for right now:
- Logistics Systems Supervisor. Manages automated warehouse systems, oversees system performance monitoring, and leads a team responsible for maintaining operational accuracy and throughput.
- Inventory Data Analyst. Collects and analyzes inventory data to identify trends, flag discrepancies, and produce reports that support supply chain and operations decision-making.
- Supply Chain Systems Coordinator. Supports the configuration and daily operation of supply chain software platforms, coordinating between logistics teams and IT to maintain system integrity.
- Quality Control Technician. Conducts product inspections, records findings, and maintains process documentation to ensure manufacturing or fulfillment operations meet quality standards.
- Warehouse Operations Reporting Specialist. Builds and maintains operational dashboards and performance reports to give warehouse management real-time visibility into productivity and efficiency metrics.
| Role | Degree(s) Fit | Avg. Wage ($/hr) | Avg. Salary ($/yr) |
| Logistics Systems Supervisor | IT, Analytics, Supply Chain Systems | $32 | $58,000 |
| Inventory Data Analyst | Data Analytics, Information Systems | $27 | $49,000 |
| Supply Chain Systems Coordinator | IT, Supply Chain Management | $28 | $50,000 |
| Quality Control Technician | Data Analytics, Operations Management | $24 | $43,000 |
| Warehouse Operations Reporting Specialist | Data Analytics, Business Intelligence | $26 | $47,000 |
Horticulture & Agriculture
Right now, we’re in the height of peak season for landscaping jobs in Hudson Valley’s residential estates, commercial properties, and municipal parks. If you just graduated with a degree in horticulture, turf management, landscape design, plant science, or agricultural operations, there are multiple temp and temp-to-hire roles to help you build experience while earning:
- Landscape Crew Member. Performs mowing, planting, mulching, edging, and general grounds upkeep for residential or commercial properties throughout the spring and summer season.
- Grounds Maintenance Technician. Maintains lawns, plantings, hardscapes, and outdoor facilities on a scheduled basis, applying horticultural knowledge to keep properties healthy and presentable year-round.
- Irrigation Systems Installer / Technician. Installs, adjusts, and troubleshoots residential and commercial irrigation systems to ensure efficient water delivery and plant health.
- Landscape Design Assistant. Supports lead designers with site assessments, plant selection, design drafting, and client presentations for residential and commercial landscaping projects.
- Tree Care / Arborist Technician. Performs tree pruning, removal, health assessments, and treatment applications under the guidance of a certified arborist to maintain safe and healthy urban and suburban tree canopy.
- Nursery & Garden Center Associate. Assists customers with plant selection, cares for nursery inventory, and maintains display areas to support sales and plant health at a retail garden operation.
- Crew Lead – Landscaping Operations. Directs a field crew across daily job site assignments, ensures quality standards are met, and serves as the primary point of contact between workers and operations management.
| Role | Degree(s) Fit | Avg. Wage ($/hr) | Avg. Salary ($/yr) |
| Landscape Crew Member | Horticulture, Turf Management, Plant Science | $22 | Seasonal |
| Grounds Maintenance Technician | Horticulture, Agriculture, Environmental Science | $24 | $43,000 |
| Irrigation Systems Installer / Technician | Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering | $27 | $49,000 |
| Landscape Design Assistant | Landscape Design, Horticulture | $26 | $47,000 |
| Tree Care Technician | Horticulture, Forestry, Plant Science | $28 | $50,000 |
| Nursery & Garden Center Associate | Horticulture, Agriculture, Botany | $20 | $36,000 |
| Crew Lead – Landscaping Operations | Agriculture, Horticulture, Operations Management | $29 | Seasonal |
Final Thoughts on Temp Jobs for New Graduates
If you’ve just graduated and are nervous about what’s out there, take a deep breath. Although it may be tricky to get your “dream job” in this market, there are still plenty of options for you to earn over the summer (or longer) and build up your skills.
And who knows: one of these positions could be the stepping stone that defines your career.
Contact Ethan Allen to learn more about how we help recent grads launch their careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs for New Graduates
Do I need prior work experience to qualify for these temp roles?
Most of the positions listed here are designed for recent grads with limited professional experience: your degree, internships, and coursework are generally sufficient to qualify. Roles like CNA, LPN, and RN do require active licensure, but the majority of non-clinical positions prioritize relevant education and trainability over years of experience.
How quickly can I get placed after contacting Ethan Allen Workforce?
Placement timelines vary by role and availability, but temp and temp-to-hire positions typically move faster than permanent hires, sometimes within days of an initial conversation. Having your resume ready and being clear about your availability and preferred role types will speed things up considerably.
Will a temp job show up on my resume the same way a permanent job does?
Yes, temp roles appear on your resume just like any other position, listed by job title, employer, and dates of employment. Many candidates note that the agency placed them in the role, which hiring managers in most industries view neutrally or positively, particularly when the role is relevant to the candidate’s field.
What happens if a temp-to-hire role doesn’t convert to a permanent position?
Not every temp-to-hire placement results in a permanent offer, and that’s okay. You leave with documented experience, a professional reference, and transferable skills, all of which strengthen your next application. Ethan Allen works with a wide network of Hudson Valley employers, so a strong performance in one placement often opens doors to others.
Are there temp roles available for degrees not listed in this article?
Absolutely. The six degree categories covered here reflect current hiring trends, but Ethan Allen places workers across a much wider range of fields and industries. If your degree isn’t listed, the General Application on the Ethan Allen job board lets you submit your background for consideration across all active and upcoming openings.