NFIB: Small Business Hiring Plans Hit Highest Level Since 2022, But Labor Shortages Persist

NewsData.io · United States · Aug 14, 2026

The NFIB's July jobs report shows a seasonally adjusted net 20% of small business owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months — up 9 percentage points from June and the highest reading since 2022. Despite bullish hiring intent, 36% of owners reported unfilled job openings and 51% said there were few or no qualified applicants, signaling that demand for workers is outpacing available talent. Wage pressures are also rising, with 31% of owners reporting compensation increases in July. For staffing agencies serving small and mid-sized businesses, this combination of strong hiring plans and persistent labor quality shortages represents a meaningful opportunity for placement volume.