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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TXfyrElSYAbxSzHztEAw3+zIKoCmEBqpxwQJf/kzkFDftH8uohO4ibJXSlKCxH5c
 HTFMNmNHJPeRjwAhzp4ZdA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000892917-04-000136.txt : 20040514
<SEC-HEADER>0000892917-04-000136.hdr.sgml : 20040514
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040514195340
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000892917-04-000136
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040514

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000902791
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HELP SUPPLY SERVICES [7363]
		IRS NUMBER:				520812977
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4724 S W MACADAM AVE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5032200988

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4724 SW MACADAM AVE
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHERERTZ NANCY B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000918338

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	033-61804
		FILM NUMBER:		04809590

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6513 DIAMOND HALL ROAD
		CITY:			EASTON
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4108229636

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 SW FIFTH AVENUE STE 3500
		CITY:			PORTLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97202
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bbsform4nsherertz514_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000902791</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000918338</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHERERTZ NANCY B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>4724 SW MACADAM AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97239</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Employee Director Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>13.23</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Becomes exercisable in four equal installments beginning one year after date of grant.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Expires three months following the date on which holder ceases to be a director other than by reason of death, disability, or
retirement; if by reason of death or disability, one year thereafter; and if by reason of retirements, five years
thereafter.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>, as attorney-in-fact</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Michael D. Mulholland</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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