Small business owners in Oregon continue to face challenges filling open positions, according to the latest monthly Jobs Report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The report shows that 33% of small business owners nationwide reported job openings they could not fill in November, an increase of one percentage point from October and the first rise since June. This figure remains above the historical average of 24%.
Anthony Smith, NFIB Oregon State Director, commented on the report’s findings: “Small business owners are still having a hard time filling their open positions, but it’s not for a lack of trying. Across the county, nearly one in five owners have plans to create jobs in the next three months, if only they can just find the right people to fill them. And apparently it’s even more difficult here in Oregon, where we have a higher-than-average unemployment rate and two people collecting unemployment benefits for every job opening, compared to national data that shows more of a one-to-one ratio.”
The NFIB Jobs Report is based on a national survey of its member small-business owners. Typically, these members employ between one and nine people and report gross sales around $500,000 annually.
Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, added: “The economy has continued to grow steadily despite the recent government shutdown. On Main Street, job growth continues to be constrained by a lack of qualified employees.”
According to highlights from the report:
– A seasonally adjusted net 19% of owners plan to create new jobs within three months. This is up four points from October and marks the highest level recorded this year.
– In November, 21% cited labor quality as their most significant problem—a decrease that erases most of October’s sharp rise.
– Labor costs remain a concern for 8% of small business owners.
– A net 26% reported raising compensation in November (seasonally adjusted), unchanged from October. Plans to raise compensation increased by five points to a net 24%, reaching levels last seen in December 2024.
NFIB has advocated for small and independent businesses across the United States for over eight decades. More information about its activities can be found at www.nfib.com or through its X account @NFIB_OR.
