Washington Small-Business Optimism Lags U.S. by 4 Points at 94.5 as Labor Costs Double
Updated
Updated · MyNorthwest · Jul 8
Washington Small-Business Optimism Lags U.S. by 4 Points at 94.5 as Labor Costs Double
3 articles · Updated · MyNorthwest · Jul 8
Summary
Washington’s NFIB Small Business Optimism Index came in at 94.5, trailing the national 98.5 and remaining below the long-term norm in a survey covering October 2025 through March 2026.
Nineteen percent of Washington owners cited labor costs as their single biggest problem, more than double the 9% national rate, while the state also lagged on economic expectations, hiring plans and whether it is a good time to expand.
The same report showed a slight improvement from Washington’s prior 93.6 reading even as the national figure was nearly flat at 98.6, giving Democrats room to argue recent tax changes are already helping sentiment.
Republicans and NFIB state director Patrick Connor instead cast the data as a warning on costs and taxes, while the law’s promised B&O tax cuts and sales-tax exemptions do not start until 2029 and still face legal and voter risks.