28 Jul

Temp Jobs in Knoxville: How to Get Same-Day Work

Honestly, putting our neighbors to work is the best part of our day, so here is how to land a temp job with us.

Key takeaways

Quick answer: To get a temp job in Knoxville, walk into Labor Exchange at 4408 Chapman Hwy with two forms of ID, or call (865) 247-4957 first. We are a family-owned staffing agency that matches people to work the same day, as W-2 employees, with pay you can pick up the day you work.

Labor Exchange is a family-owned staffing agency at 4408 Chapman Hwy in South Knoxville. Walk in or call (865) 247-4957 to get started.
Our workers are W-2 employees, not 1099 contractors, so payroll taxes and workers' comp are covered for you, and everyone is pre-screened.
Bring two forms of ID for the I-9 and you can be matched to work the same day, often on the job that afternoon.
You can get paid the day you work, and a temp job here can turn into a permanent one at no cost to you.

If you are looking for temp jobs in Knoxville, we would love to help. We are Labor Exchange, a family-owned staffing agency in South Knoxville, and honestly, putting good people to work is the best part of our day. Here is how it works and how to get started.

What kinds of temp jobs can you get in Knoxville?

Most of the temp jobs we fill around Knoxville are hands-on work a business needs covered today. That means warehouse picking and packing, loading and unloading trucks, forklift driving for folks who are certified, and plain general labor like moving, cleanup, and site prep. We also place a lot of kitchen and hospitality help, from dishwashers and prep cooks to banquet setup for restaurants, hotels, and event venues.

The work follows where Knoxville is busy. Distribution centers along the I-40 and I-75 corridor need crews for the daily volume, and the kitchens and hotels toward Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg lean on extra hands through tourist season. You do not need a fancy resume for most of these jobs. You need to show up ready, and we will match you to something that fits.

How to get started, and what to bring

Getting started is simple. Come by our office at 4408 Chapman Hwy in South Knoxville, or call us first at (865) 247-4957 and we will tell you what is open. Mornings are best, because a lot of the day's assignments go out early, and the sooner we meet you the sooner we can put you to work.

Bring two forms of ID so we can complete your I-9, the same paperwork any W-2 job requires. That is really all you need to begin. Because we pre-screen our workers, once you are set up in our system we can often send you out the same day you walk in.

How pay works: W-2 and same-day

Everyone we place is a W-2 employee, not a 1099 contractor. That matters more than it sounds. It means we take out payroll taxes for you and carry workers' comp on you while you are on the job, so you are covered if something happens at work. You are a real employee of Labor Exchange, not someone left to sort out taxes alone.

It also means you can get paid the day you work. Work today, get paid today is a big part of why people come to us and keep coming back. For a lot of our neighbors, not waiting two weeks for a first check is the difference that lets them say yes to a job at all.

Can a temp job become a permanent one?

Yes, and this is one of the parts we love most. A lot of the temp jobs here are temp-to-hire, which means the business gets to see your work first, and if it is a good fit they can bring you on permanently. When that happens, the cost falls on the employer, not on you.

For the employer, the conversion fee starts at $3,000 and is pro-rated by the hours you have already worked, so it shrinks the longer you are on the job. Once you reach about 720 hours, roughly 18 full-time weeks, that fee drops to $0 and they can hire you with no fee at all. In plain terms, sticking with a job pays off, and a temp shift can become the steady work you were after.

Why work with a family-owned local agency

We are family-owned and rooted in South Knoxville, started by Bill Peterson back in 2012 and run today by his wife Kelly. Honestly, we are in the people business. Last year we put 623 people to work, and we hold a 4.3 Google rating across 108 reviews from folks right here in the community.

Because we are local, we know the employers we send you to and the towns you will be working in, from Maryville and Alcoa to Oak Ridge, Seymour, and out toward the Smokies. We are not a national chain running things from another state. When you walk in, you are talking to neighbors who want to see you flourish where you are planted.

Common questions

What temp jobs can I get in Knoxville?

Most of our openings are hands-on: warehouse picking and packing, loading and unloading, forklift work, general labor, and kitchen or event help like dishwashing and banquet setup. We match you to what fits your experience, and most jobs do not require a background in the field.

How do I apply for a temp job at Labor Exchange?

Walk into our office at 4408 Chapman Hwy in South Knoxville with two forms of ID, or call (865) 247-4957 first to hear what is open. Mornings are best, since many assignments go out early. Once you are set up, we can often dispatch you the same day.

Will I get paid the same day I work?

Yes. You can get paid the day you work, which is one of the main reasons people choose us. You are a W-2 employee, so payroll taxes are handled for you and there is no waiting two weeks for a first check.

Are temp workers W-2 employees or 1099 contractors?

You are a W-2 employee of Labor Exchange, not a 1099 contractor. That means we withhold payroll taxes and carry workers' comp on you while you are on assignment, so you are protected if you get hurt at work.

Do I need experience or my own transportation?

For most general labor and warehouse jobs you do not need prior experience, just a willingness to show up and work. Reliable transportation helps, since we place workers across the Knoxville area, but tell us your situation and we will match you to jobs you can realistically get to.

Can a temp job turn into a permanent job?

Often, yes. Many of our jobs are temp-to-hire, so the employer can bring you on permanently if it works out. The conversion fee is paid by the employer, not you, and it drops to $0 once you have worked about 720 hours.