STATE:

Why NFIB

Take Action

Get Support

Stay Informed

Podcast Podcast

Careers Careers

Join Now

Home / News / Press Release /

NFIB Monthly Jobs Report: Job Openings on Main Street Fall in June

July 4, 2024

NFIB Monthly Jobs Report: Job Openings on Main Street Fall in June

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 4, 2024) – NFIB’s June jobs report found solid employment hiring plans among small business owners, but overall unsuccessful attempts to hire additional workers. A seasonally adjusted 37% of all small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in their current period, down five points from May. “This summer, small business owners continue to try to hire and find qualified employees for their open positions,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “The number of small businesses with one or more job openings they can’t fill remains at exceptionally high levels. However, owners are raising compensation at historically high levels to attract and retain employees.” A seasonally adjusted net 15% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, unchanged from May. Overall, 60% of owners reported hiring or trying to hire in June. Of those hiring or trying to hire, 85% reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. Thirty-one percent of owners reported few qualified applicants for their open positions and 20% reported none. The percent of small business owners reporting labor quality as their top small business operating problem fell one point to 19%. Labor cost reported as the single most important problem for business owners rose one point to 11%, two points below the highest reading of 13% reached in December 2021. Seasonally adjusted, a net 38% reported raising compensation, up one point from May and historically very high. A net 22% (seasonally adjusted) plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up four points from May. Thirty-one percent have openings for skilled workers (down six points) and 16% have openings for unskilled labor (up two points). Job openings in construction were down three points from last month and over half of the firms (51%) have a job opening they can’t fill. Job openings were the highest in the construction, transportation, and retail sectors, and the lowest in the agriculture and finance sectors. Click here to view the entire NFIB Jobs Report.

Topics:

Economy

Research

SBET

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

July 17, 2026

Understanding Service Animal Protections Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

When it comes to allowing or restricting service animals in your business, it is important to understand your rights and obligations under the Americans with D…

a lady working on a bike wheel on a wooden desk at a bike repair shop

July 16, 2026

NFIB Illinois State Director Reacts to Increase in National Small Business Optimism

NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley reacts to increase in the June Small Business Optimism Report

Split-screen news broadcast: left anchor at NYSE newsroom; right guest in an office, both looking at camera as they discuss NFIB figures.

July 16, 2026

VIDEO: NFIB’s Holly Wade Analyzes June SBET Report on NYSE Live

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 16, 2026) – NFIB Research Center Executive Director Holly Wade joined Kristen Scholer on NYSE Live to discuss June’s Small Business Opti…

Line chart of the Small Business Optimism Index (1986=100) from 1970 to present, showing fluctuations around 100 with an average of 98.0 and NFIB branding at the bottom.

July 15, 2026

Is Latest NFIB Index the Start of Something Good?

Small Business Optimism survey rose 2.1 points in June survey

NFIB Monthly Jobs Report: Job Openings on Main Street Fall in June

Related Articles