Skip to content

NFIB Nebraska Reacts to September Jobs Report

NFIB Nebraska Reacts to September Jobs Report

October 3, 2024

News

NFIB Nebraska Reacts to September Jobs Report

NFIB’s September jobs report found that 34% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in September, down 6 points from August and the lowest reading since January 2021.

“Overall, the job market appears to be softening,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Fewer small firms have openings they can’t fill as we head into fall. But many still report trouble finding qualified applicants and plans to increase compensation is once again on the rise.”

“Nebraska’s small businesses have been resilient, but this report suggests we’re not immune to national trends,” said NFIB Nebraska State Director Ryan McIntosh. “The decrease in job openings could provide some breathing room for our agricultural and transportation sectors, which have faced significant hiring challenges. However, we must remain vigilant about supporting our small business community.”

Overall, 59% of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in September, down three points from August. Fifty-two percent (90% of those hiring or trying to hire) of owners reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill. Thirty percent of owners reported few qualified applicants for their open positions and 22% reported none.

Thirty percent have openings for skilled workers (down six points) and 14% have openings for unskilled labor (down one point).

Job openings in construction were down seven points from August and about half of them (53%) have a job opening they can’t fill. Job openings were the highest in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors, and the lowest in the agriculture and finance sectors.

A seasonally adjusted net 15% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, up two points from August.

The percent of small business owners reporting labor quality as their top small business operating problem fell four points from August to 17%. Labor costs reported as the single most important problem for business owners was unchanged at 9%, four points below the highest reading of 13% reached in December 2021.

Seasonally adjusted, a net 32% of small business owners reported raising compensation in September, down one point from August and the lowest reading since April 2021. A net 23% (seasonally adjusted) plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up three points from August.

Click here to view the entire NFIB Jobs Report.

Get to know NFIB

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

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

December 2, 2024
WATCH: Small Businesses Are the Glue That Keeps Communities Tog…
NFIB State Director Brad Jones highlights importance of shopping small.
Read More
December 2, 2024
Are You Ready for the Start of Session? Download the NFIB Engag…
Download the NFIB Engage App today to stay up to date with legislation that…
Read More
December 2, 2024
It’s Time to Vote Your NFIB State Ballot
Tell us what positions the organization should take on key small business i…
Read More
December 2, 2024
NFIB Virtual Event: New Mexico Legislative Preview
The New Mexico Legislature will convene on January 21, 2025, where among ot…
Read More

© 2001 - 2024 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility