Press Release: 8/10/2026
NFIB Jobs Report: Boost in Demand for Workers, Labor Quality
August 10, 2026
“Hiring plans suggest that small business owners are expecting a surge in business”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ronda Wiggers, State Director, rondakwiggers@gmail.com
or Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, anthony.malandra@nfib.org
HELENA, Mont., August 6, 2026—The monthly Jobs Report from NFIB, released today, showed a “surprising and substantial tightening of the labor market” as “reports of labor quality and availability as the most serious business problem jumped 8 points to 27%.”
The Small Business Employment Index rose after four consecutive months of decline, registering 102.1 in July after measuring 100.2 in June. The current reading is above the 2025 average of 101.2 and the historical average of 100.0
The NFIB Small Business Employment Index is a measure of the current state of the small business labor market. The Index integrates actual and planned changes in employment and employee compensation into a singular data point. A higher Index reflects an overall tighter labor market; a lower Index reflects an overall weaker labor market.
“Our Jobs Report follows the recent release of the 2026 Best States rankings from U.S. News & World Report, showing where Montana could make improvements,” said Ronda Wiggers, state director for NFIB in Montana. “But I think our relatively high rankings in the ‘Opportunity’ and ‘Education’ categories are respectable and a good place to continue refining other aspects of Montana’s economy.”
From NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg
“Labor quality or availability as the top concern for Main Street rose in July, with employment growth falling behind the pace of economic growth. Most of the primary spending driving the economy is heavily concentrated in big projects like new data centers for AI. Hiring plans suggest that small business owners are expecting a surge in business that will require more workers. While the labor force remains stagnant, hiring will be sufficient to keep the unemployment rate about the same as compensation inches higher.”
Highlights from the Latest NFIB Jobs Report
- A seasonally adjusted net 20% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, up 9 points from June.
- Hiring plans are at their highest level since October 2022 and are 9 points above the historical average.
- In contrast to the forward-looking plans, actual hiring activity declined 1 point from June, with 61% of owners reporting hiring or trying to hire in July.
- A seasonally adjusted net 31% reported raising compensation, up 3 points from June. A net 19% (seasonally adjusted) plan to raise compensation in the next three months, up 2 points from June.
Keep up with the latest Montana small business news at www.nfib.com or by following us on X at @NFIB_MT.
###
For over 80 years, NFIB has been advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven association. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit nfib.com.
NFIB Montana
406-899-9659
rondakwiggers@gmail.com
NFIB.com
X: @NFIB_MT