From the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Jobs Report released on January 8, 2026, 33% of small business owners nationwide reported job openings they could not fill in December. This figure is unchanged from November and remains above the historical average of 24%.
Patrick Connor, NFIB Washington State Director, commented on the report: “We hope the Washington Legislature can avoid repeating itself in 2026 with the record-high taxes it heaped on everyone last year. Small business owners make decisions on whether or not to hire or whether or to even keep their doors open based on many factors, all of which, it seems, were negatively impacted by the policies coming out of Olympia. Meanwhile, we’re hoping Congress can build on its accomplishment of making the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent by passing our nine federal legislative priorities. Once again, this year will be a tale of two governments.”
The NFIB Jobs Report is based on a national survey conducted among member small-business owners and does not provide state-specific data. The December survey included responses from a random sample of 429 NFIB member firms.
Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, stated: “The economic climate continues to support the small business labor market. Although employment conditions vary, fewer owners report labor as their biggest challenge while compensation pressures are escalating.”
Other findings from the December report include that 53% of owners reported hiring or trying to hire during the month—a decrease from November. Additionally, 19% cited labor quality as their most important problem, which is down compared to the previous month. Compensation increases were also noted; seasonally adjusted data shows that a net 31% raised compensation in December and a net 24% plan to do so in the next three months.
NFIB has represented small and independent businesses for over eight decades across all states and Washington D.C., advocating for policies affecting these enterprises.
For more information about small business news in Washington state, visit www.nfib.com.
