BBSI Review
by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI)
BBSI is a NASDAQ-listed PEO founded in 1951 that pairs small and mid-sized businesses with local payroll, HR, risk and business strategy specialists, priced by custom quote.
- Company size
- Small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprises
- Pricing model
- Quote only
Best for
- Employers in higher-risk trades that want on-site safety and workers’ compensation support
- Businesses that want named local consultants rather than a shared queue
- Companies that also need recruiting or temporary staffing from the same provider
Not ideal for
- Buyers who need published PEO prices to compare before talking to sales
- Teams that want a self-serve software platform first and service second
How we evaluated BBSI
This review rests on 13 facts checked against BBSI’s official pricing pages and documentation, most recently on . We did not test the product hands-on: the score and the pros and cons use only those verified facts, as our methodology explains, and third-party ratings are quoted, never scored.
Our verdict
BBSI fits small and mid-sized employers, and larger ones, that want a PEO with local teams: the Core Package pairs each client with a payroll specialist, an HR consultant, a risk consultant and a business partner. Founded in 1951 and listed on NASDAQ, it prices each client from its workforce and risk profile. It is less suited to buyers who want a published rate before a consultation.
Strengths
Four named specialists
The Core Package assigns a payroll specialist, an HR consultant, a risk consultant and a business strategy partner to each client.
Evidence: Key features: Four dedicated specialists in the Core Package (payroll, HR, risk and business strategy), Local teams in 50+ locations, Pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation premiums with no deposits or year-end audits, On-site risk assessments, safety programs and claims management, Direct, contract-to-hire, temporary and seasonal placement through BBSI talent acquisition, myBBSI HRIS with employee self-service
Risk and safety depth
On-site assessments, safety program documentation and claims management come with the Core Package, and workers’ compensation premiums are pay-as-you-go.
Evidence: Risk and safety services: Yes
Long track record, public company
BBSI was founded in 1951 and is publicly traded on NASDAQ, so its filings are public.
Evidence: Founded: 1951
Broad industry coverage
Its industry page lists construction, manufacturing, hospitality and restaurants, nonprofits, home healthcare and transportation among the sectors it serves.
Evidence: Industry focus: Construction, Franchises, Professional services, Hospitality, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Restoration, Consultants and CPAs, Landscaping, Insurance agencies, Manufacturing, Home healthcare, Transportation, Real estate, Janitorial, Legal offices, HVAC and plumbing, Architecture and engineering, Physicians, Dentists, Towing
Weaknesses
No published pricing
BBSI sets a custom rate per client and publishes no package prices.
Evidence: Price transparency: Quote only
Benefits and workers’ comp are add-ons
Health benefits, workers’ compensation and the 401(k) plan sit outside the Core Package as optional services.
Evidence: Extra costs: Health benefits, talent acquisition, workers’ compensation and the 401(k) plan are optional add-ons to the Core Package, Optional myBBSI modules: performance management, applicant tracking, learning management and timekeeping integration, Rates reflect workers’ compensation risk: X-Mod, job classifications and loss history
Price at a glance
Pricing model
Quote only
Quick answers
- How does BBSI price its PEO?
- BBSI quotes each client from employee count, turnover, loss history, job risk and the X-Mod, plus the services chosen; it does not publish flat rates.Based on Pricing model: Quote only
- Is BBSI pricing a flat fee?
- No. BBSI does not use flat or one-size-fits-all pricing; each client gets a custom rate that can change with headcount, roles and risk.Based on Price transparency: Quote only
- Which BBSI services cost extra?
- Health benefits, talent acquisition, workers’ compensation, the 401(k) plan and the optional myBBSI modules for performance, applicant tracking, learning and timekeeping sit outside the Core Package.Based on Extra costs: Health benefits, talent acquisition, workers’ compensation and the 401(k) plan are optional add-ons to the Core Package, Optional myBBSI modules: performance management, applicant tracking, learning management and timekeeping integration, Rates reflect workers’ compensation risk: X-Mod, job classifications and loss history
- What is included in the BBSI Core Package?
- Payroll processing and tax filings, HR consulting, risk and safety support, business strategy sessions and the myBBSI HR portal.
Coverage of core PEO services capabilities
Each core capability we evaluate in PEO Services, checked against BBSI’s own documentation. “Not verified yet” means we have not confirmed it either way, not that it is missing.
9 verified of 10 core capabilities
PEO Services
- Co-employment arrangement
- Payroll and tax filing
- Group benefits access
- Workers' compensation
- HR advisory support
- Compliance support
- Risk and safety services
- HR and payroll technology
- Reporting
- Exit and transition support · not verified yet
Specifications
Pricing
- Price transparency
- Quote only
Fit
- Industry focus
- Construction, Franchises, Professional services, Hospitality, Restaurants, Nonprofits, Restoration, Consultants and CPAs, Landscaping, Insurance agencies, Manufacturing, Home healthcare, Transportation, Real estate, Janitorial, Legal offices, HVAC and plumbing, Architecture and engineering, Physicians, Dentists, Towing
Product
- Modules
- Payroll & HR, Risk & Safety, Business Strategy, Health Benefits, Talent Acquisition, Workers' Compensation, Retirement & 401(k), myBBSI HRIS
- Mobile apps
- BBSI TimeNet (iOS)
BBSI alternatives
Amplify HR100% similar
Compare BBSI
Implementation and support
- Support channels
- Phone, email, local branch
- Support hours
- Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Pacific
About Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI)
- Founded
- 1951
- Headquarters
- Vancouver, Washington, US
- Ownership
- Publicly traded
Official profiles
BBSI: frequently asked questions
Is BBSI a publicly traded company?
Yes. BBSI is listed on NASDAQ under the ticker BBSI and was founded in 1951.
Where is BBSI headquartered?
In Vancouver, Washington, with local teams in more than 50 locations.
Does BBSI handle workers' compensation?
Yes, as an optional service with pay-as-you-go premiums, claims management and safety programs.
Which industries does BBSI work with?
Its list includes construction, manufacturing, hospitality and restaurants, nonprofits, home healthcare, transportation, professional services and franchises.
Is BBSI legit?
BBSI is sold by Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI), which was founded in 1951, is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, US, and is publicly traded.
What are the best alternatives to BBSI?
In our PEO services ranking, the highest-scored products other than BBSI are Justworks, Rippling PEO, and Remote. Compared side by side, by reason to switch: BBSI alternatives.
Which is better, BBSI or ADP TotalSource?
It depends on the team. Choose BBSI if: you want a local team you can meet in person. Choose ADP TotalSource if: you want an IRS-certified PEO. The full comparison: BBSI vs ADP TotalSource.
What are the pros and cons of BBSI?
Strengths documented on the vendor’s own pages: four named specialists, risk and safety depth, and long track record, public company. It is less suited to buyers who need published PEO prices to compare before talking to sales and teams that want a self-serve software platform first and service second.
Does BBSI have a mobile app?
Yes. BBSI lists mobile apps: BBSI TimeNet (iOS).
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