NASHVILLE, TN – Small business hiring plans rebounded in June, but rural employers are still struggling to find qualified workers.
The National Federation of Independent Business says 32 percent of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill, up three points from May. Hiring plans for the next three months rose to a net 11 percent, matching the historical average.
The rural concern is labor availability. Fifty-one percent of owners reported few or no qualified applicants, the highest level since September 2024. That matters for farms, ag service firms, manufacturers, construction crews, truck shops, and main street businesses that need skilled and dependable workers to grow.
Compensation pressure cooled slightly. A net 28 percent of owners reported raising pay, and a net 17 percent plan to raise compensation in the next three months.
Labor costs were less often named as the top problem, but worker quality and availability moved higher. For rural America, that means opportunity may be present, but growth is still limited by workforce shortages.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Rural businesses may have work available, but labor shortages continue to limit growth in farming, services, and small towns.