Small Business Job Openings Rebound

July 3, 2026 - 04:21

AUSTIN, Texas - The latest jobs report from NFIB shows a mixed picture for small businesses in June. The Small Business Employment Index held nearly steady, coming in at 100.2 after a reading of 100.3 in May. This marks the fourth straight month of decline for the index. While the current figure sits below the 2025 average of 101.2, it remains just above the historical baseline of 100.0.

Despite the flat employment numbers, there was a notable increase in job openings. The percentage of small business owners reporting unfilled positions rose by three points from May, reaching 38 percent. This rebound suggests that demand for workers is still strong, even as hiring activity has slowed. Industry breakdowns show that the construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors saw the most difficulty finding qualified applicants.

On the compensation front, a net 38 percent of owners reported raising wages over the past three months, a figure that has not changed much since April. Looking ahead, a net 22 percent plan to increase compensation in the next quarter. While the employment index has cooled, the persistent need for labor and the willingness to offer higher pay indicate that the small business job market remains tight.