The Nashville-based National Federation of Independent Business has announced its small business employment index for unfilled jobs ticked up in February.
According to a release, the current reading of 103.5 is 2.3 points above the 2025 average of 101.2, and 3.5 points above the historical average of 100. The uptick reveals further unfilled job "tightness" after January consolidated the gains measured in December.
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