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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001189345-09-000001.txt : 20090507
<SEC-HEADER>0001189345-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090507
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090507142554
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001189345-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090507
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090507

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KELLY SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000055135
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HELP SUPPLY SERVICES [7363]
		IRS NUMBER:				381510762
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		999 W BIG BEAVER RD
		CITY:			TROY
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48084
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2483624444

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		999 WEST BIG BEAVER RD
		CITY:			TROY
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48084

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ISTOCK VERNE G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001189345

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01088
		FILM NUMBER:		09804845

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GENE GARANGO
		STREET 2:		21001 VAN BORN RD
		CITY:			TAYLOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48180
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000055135</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KELLY SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>kelya</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001189345</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ISTOCK VERNE G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GENE GARANGO</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>21001 VAN BORN RD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TAYLOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48180</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock, Par Value $1</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3944</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>11.41</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>19560</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock granted under the terms of the Non-Employee Directors Stock Award Plan.  This award represents a portion of the annual retainer paid to outside members of Kelly Services Board of Directors.  The stock was valued at the close of market on 5/06/2009 at $11.41 per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Verne G. Istock</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By James M. Polehna, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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