Michael Iosua, Hawaii State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), commented on the recent NFIB Jobs Report. Released on July 2, 2025, the report reveals that 36% of small business owners had unfilled job openings in June, a two-point increase from May.
Iosua noted that with the legislature adjourned until next year, small business owners have time to plan for future hiring. He emphasized the importance of consistency in rules and regulations for small-business owners: “One of the higher intangibles small-business owners have always asked for is consistency, knowing that rules, regulations, and taxes they operate under will be the same from one year to the next.”
The NFIB’s Jobs Report is based on a national survey of its members who typically employ between one and nine people with annual gross sales around $500,000.
Bill Dunkelberg, NFIB Chief Economist, highlighted ongoing efforts by small businesses to fill positions despite a slowing labor market. “Despite the slowing labor market,” Dunkelberg said, “many small business owners are still looking to attract applicants and hire for their open positions. Compensation pressures remain strong for those owners who are competing to retain and attract talent in their business.”
Key findings from the report include:
– In June, 58% of small business owners reported hiring or attempting to hire—an increase of three points from May.
– A net 33% reported raising compensation in June—up seven points from May and marking the largest monthly increase since January 2020.
– A net 19% plan to raise compensation over the next three months—a slight decrease from May.
– Job openings were most prevalent in construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries but lowest in finance and agriculture.
For more than eight decades, NFIB has advocated for America’s small businesses at both federal and state levels. As a nonprofit organization founded in 1943, it remains dedicated exclusively to supporting small and independent businesses.
