Along Scotland's south west coast, Dumfries has always been known as a market town, rich with produce from its agricultural neighbouring landscape. It was also once a trade centre and was a booming textile manufacturer and the RAF had a base in the town until the late Fifties.
These days Dumfries continues to provide goods to the surrounding areas in the county in the form of major retailers and independent traders. While the Dumfries and Galloway Council offers more employment in the area than any other, there are also a number of firms which have large numbers of staff.
Recruitment agencies search for candidates for roles at retail outlets such as Tesco, Dunelm Mill and Homebase. In the manufacturing field, Gates Proven and Dupont also employ the towns residents, as do energy firm Kellwood and engineering products providers Gates Power.
While business is booming on the outskirts of town thanks to the creation of the Dumfries bypass, efforts are being made by the authorities to regenerate economy back to the town centre.
Workers in employment is at a respectable level of 75.9%, which is almost on a par with the national average, however generally people have lower skilled jobs than in other areas of the UK. The median weekly wage is £419, which is lower than the Scottish average and lower still than that of the rest of the UK.
AgencyCentral lists 69 popular industries and categorise recruitment agencies based on what they cover, so you can easily and quickly find the ones which are most helpful to you.
Talento Group operates across the Manufacturing sector, extending opportunities in Operations and Management. With an office in Dumfries, they have a track record that includes helping Amcor, BSW Timber, Euroforest, and Kersia Group, to name a few, with their permanent and contract workforce needs. They began in 2018 and have since covered job openings like IT Support Desk Technician, Laundry Operative, Rural Surveyor, and Shift Manager.
Hillhead House, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, DG1 4UQ
Driver Hire Nationwide matches candidates with Specialist Logistics businesses, focusing on Driver and other Transport Operations roles. With teams in more than 100 locations in the UK, they have assisted over 4,000 applicants in permanent and temporary jobs. They began in 1983 and have since gathered awards and certifications like Franchisor of the Year during the 2019 bfa HSBC Franchise Awards, and ISO 9001.
209 Bomber Harris Green, Heathhall Business Park, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, DG1 3PH
+ 108 other offices
Dumfries has a steady job market shaped by healthcare, food production, engineering, warehousing and tourism. Staffing agencies and employment firms here work with local employers that need reliable cover for shifts, project spikes and permanent growth. Recruiters report consistent demand for care staff, nurses, drivers, maintenance engineers, administrators and retail supervisors. The labour market is tight for experienced trades and qualified clinical roles, so quick interviews and clear pay rates help with retention.
Healthcare anchors demand, with the hospital, community care and GP practices using temp agencies for rota gaps and executive search for senior appointments. Food and drink, timber and light manufacturing create steady production and maintenance hiring, and recruitment consultants place warehouse pickers, forklift drivers and team leaders across the A75 corridor. Hospitality and tourism grow in spring and summer, so staffing agencies line up chefs, housekeepers, front of house and event staff ahead of peak weeks. Public sector administration and education add clerical, finance and estates roles, with IT support growing as services modernise.
Healthcare services and care providers are the largest hirers by headcount, backed by manufacturers on industrial estates at Heathhall and Cargenbridge. Logistics firms on routes feeding the A75 and A76 add night shifts and trunking work. Retail parks and supermarkets bring steady customer service and duty manager vacancies. Construction contractors and building services firms pick up frameworks and maintenance across the town, with agencies supplying trades, labourers and site supervisors when programmes ramp up.
Entry warehouse and picker roles tend to run at £11.00 to £12.50 per hour, with team leaders at £13.50 to £15.00. Care assistants and support workers usually see £11.50 to £13.50 per hour, with sleep-in and mileage uplifts where offered. HGV drivers range around £14.00 to £18.00 per hour by shift pattern. Administrators and payroll roles sit near £22,000 to £28,000, with office managers at £28,000 to £35,000. Mechanical or multi skilled engineers track near £32,000 to £45,000, with premiums for nights and callout. Registered nurses align with NHS bands, often £30,000 to £38,000 plus supplements where applicable. Clear pay rates help reduce dropouts at offer stage.
Temporary and contract work keeps many sites running during peak orders, holidays and sickness, and suits candidates wanting weekly pay and varied shifts. Permanent hiring secures key skills, from engineering to practice management, and helps workforce planning. Many employers blend routes, using temp to perm for warehouse leads, line leaders and administrators, with a set conversion point and a clear pathway. Jobseekers who register with an agency often access standby shifts and ongoing assignments, while businesses cover demand without slowing production.
Employers often ask for a recent right to work check, proof of address and references. Care roles usually need a PVG or DBS style check and up to date training like moving and handling, medication awareness and first aid. HGV drivers need a valid CPC, digital tachograph card and recent driving assessment. Forklift operators require in date RTITB or ITSSAR certification. Engineers may be asked for 18th edition, confined space or IPAF for MEWP work, and construction hires typically require CSCS with trade cards where relevant.
Dumfries sits on the A75 with quick links to the M6 via the east, and the A76 carries traffic north. The railway station connects to Carlisle and Kilmarnock, which helps early and late shifts for candidates without cars. Employers near Heathhall, Lincluden and Cargenbridge attract staff from across the town by bus, with free parking common on estates. Staggered start times cut congestion on approach roads, and agencies often set pick up points for shared travel on night shifts.
Industrial and logistics roles cluster around Heathhall and Cargenbridge, with workshops and depots near main routes. Retail and hospitality concentrate in the town centre and along river side streets. Healthcare roles span the hospital, clinics and care homes across the town. Office based posts sit in business parks and on the Crichton estate, with finance, HR and admin teams supporting regional operations. Recruitment agencies map these pockets to match candidates to shifts that fit transport and family commitments, which improves attendance and retention.
For permanent placements, recruitment fees in Dumfries often sit near 12% to 20% of basic salary, influenced by scarcity and warranty terms. Temp mark ups usually reflect holiday pay, pension, NI and overheads, with an uplift that often lands in the 15% to 30% range across common roles. Clear job specs, realistic salaries and quick decision making save money, since fewer interviews and faster starts reduce agency costs per hire. Employers aiming to hire staff quickly should give shift patterns, training plans and on site contacts upfront, and candidates who register with an agency get faster invites when new bookings land.
Remote and hybrid jobs exist, but volumes are smaller than in big cities. Contact centre, finance, scheduling and IT support roles sometimes offer two to three days at home once training is complete. Most production, logistics and care posts remain site based, so agencies focus on shift choice, predictable rotas and overtime terms to keep engagement high.
Do recruitment agencies in Dumfries place both temporary and permanent staff?
Yes, with temp, contract and permanent options offered across sectors.
How do I find employees fast in Dumfries?
Share a clear brief, pay rates and interview slots, then shortlist within 24 to 48 hours for the best results.
What documents do candidates need to register with an agency?
Right to work, photo ID, proof of address, bank details and role specific certificates.
What are common pay rates in Dumfries?
Entry roles often run near £11 to £13 per hour, with skilled roles and nights paying more.
How can employers reduce recruitment fees?
Use tight briefs, decide quickly and confirm start dates, which lowers time to hire and fallout.