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

Sustainability
April 9, 2026

Earth Day 2026 Webinar

April 8, 2026 Ryan Chin and Ivan Chong

Overcoming Entry-Level Staffing Challenges

April 6, 2026 Jeremy Hundley

Protect Your Facility From Springtime Invaders

Sponsored Articles

Stop Clogs Before They Start With Bio Tech®
March 13, 2026

Stop Clogs Before They Start With Bio Tech®

March 13, 2026

Less is More™: Cleaning by Design Without the Waste

March 12, 2026 Sponsored by Lysol Pro Solutions

The Next Evolution of Air! Lysol Air Sanitizer for Modern Facilities

Recent News

air quality

Cleanest and Dirtiest Air in U.S. Revealed

Survey Finds Staff Training Is Top Priority for Facility Managers

Top 20 Cities for Pest Services