Seasonal hiring is expected to hit levels similar to 2011 for an improvement from the recession, and hiring is believed to start earlier this season, according to a survey of hiring managers by employment network Snagajob.

Three in 10 respondents say they plan to hire the same as last year while one in 10 respondents say they expect to hire more staff. Sixteen percent of respondents believe they will hire fewer workers, and 45 percent of respondents say they do not intend to make any hires, which is similar to last year's findings. This reflects improved hiring plans from 2008 when 49 percent of respondents did not anticipate making any hires.

The survey also finds summer jobs are expected to go quickly. In fact, respondents intending to hire summer employees say they will do so on an earlier timetable as 13 percent filled these positions in February, and 11 percent say they will complete their hiring in March. Twenty-three percent of respondents say they will complete their hiring in April, and  79 percent of summer hiring is expected to be finished by the end of May.