According to the latest monthly Jobs Report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), released by Oregon State Director Anthony Smith, 33% of small business owners reported unfilled job openings in November, up one percentage point from October. This marks the first rise since June, with unfilled positions remaining above the historical average of 24%.
A seasonally adjusted net of 19% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, a four-point increase and the highest figure of the year. This mirrors the hiring plans seen in December 2024.
Labor quality was cited as the most pressing issue by 21% of small business owners, a decrease of six points that nearly offsets October’s increase. Meanwhile, the percentage of owners concerned about labor costs stands at 8%.
In terms of compensation, a net 26% of small business owners reported raising wages in November, holding steady from October, while 24% plan to increase compensation in the next three months, marking a five-point rise from the previous month – last seen in December 2024.
NFIB’s Jobs Report is based on a national survey of small-business owners, who typically employ between one and nine people and report gross sales of approximately $500,000 annually.
