Montana small businesses continue to face hiring challenges, according to comments from Ronda Wiggers, State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Montana, following the release of NFIB’s latest monthly Jobs Report. The report indicates that 33% of small business owners nationwide reported job openings they could not fill in November. This figure is a one-point increase from October and marks the first rise since June. Unfilled job openings remain above the historical average of 24%.
“Montana’s small businesses are really struggling to find help. I know more than one that has simply closed after years in business, because they were tired of being the only employee. I know of many that have openings that they have pretty much given up trying to fill,” Wiggers said.
The NFIB Jobs Report is based on a national survey among its members and does not provide state-level breakdowns. Typical NFIB member businesses employ between one and nine people and report gross annual sales around $500,000.
Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, commented on the broader context: “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.”
Additional findings from the report show that November saw hiring plans reach levels last seen in December 2024. Twenty-one percent of small business owners identified labor quality as their top problem, down six points from October’s spike. Labor costs remained steady as the primary concern for 8% of owners.
Compensation trends also held steady; seasonally adjusted data shows a net 26% reported raising pay in November—unchanged from October—and a net 24% plan to raise compensation over the next three months, up five points from October and matching levels last recorded in December 2024.
For ongoing updates on Montana small business issues, information can be found at www.nfib.com or through social media at X @NFIB_MT.
