Poll Finds Labor Shortage Worsening for Small Businesses

March 8, 2022

Nearly two out of three small businesses (65%) reported they are struggling to hire employees, up 5% from January, according to the March Labor Shortage Poll from Alignable.

The poll of 6,192 small business owners conducted from February 19 to March 3 found 43% report it is significantly more difficult to hire people now, compared to 38% who reported significant difficulty in hiring in January. The latest poll also found 71% needed to pay higher wages to attract workers, up from 11% from January. 

The states experiencing the most difficulty in hiring include California and New Jersey, with 71% of small businesses in both states struggling to find employees. Other states where businesses are experiencing labor shortages include:

  • Pennsylvania, with 69% of small businesses struggling to hire
  • Ohio at 68%
  • Texas at 65%.

The state with the largest labor shortage increase was Ohio, which jumped 11% over January’s figure.

 

Tags

Latest Articles

Long-Term Rental Solutions Create Value for Cleaning Operations
July 27, 2026 Alec Germond & Rory Saleh

Long-Term Rental Solutions Create Value for Cleaning Operations

July 24, 2026 Jeff Cross

Growing Faster but Making Less? Here’s Why

July 23, 2026 Jeff Cross

Your Employees Are Using AI. But Are They Still Thinking?

Sponsored Articles

New Technology Platform Targets the Hidden 90% of Cleaning Budgets
July 16, 2026 Sponsored by Optisolve

New Technology Platform Targets the Hidden 90% of Cleaning Budgets

July 7, 2026 Dr. Rebecca Bascom & Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner & Dr. Omrana Pasha-Razzak

Evidence-Based Cleaning Ensures Healthy Places and Spaces

July 2, 2026

D.A.R.E. to Clean Restrooms Smarter with Tornado

Recent News

US measles outbreak

US Measles Cases Surpass Last Year’s Count

NYC Health Department Confirms Live Legionella Bacteria

The Art Institute of Chicago Cuts Complete Custodial Staff