Summer Staffing: Main Street's June Uptick Falls Short of Last Year's Heat

Report Highlights: What You Need to Know

🔍 Are small businesses hiring for summer?
June saw 1.8% growth in both employees and hours worked—things are picking up after a slower spring, though not quite at last year's pace.

📱 Which industries are seeing the strongest growth?
Entertainment businesses grew 25%+ from May, while personal services like salons also did well. Medical and vet offices stayed pretty steady, which makes sense since they don't usually see a summer rush.

🌎 Where is hiring strongest right now?
June saw an overall drop in the number of jobs added after May’s increase, indicating possible front-loading of summer hiring. But trends are regional, with the Midwest and Northeast doing best with 5%+ growth each. The Southwest is having a tougher time with some businesses seeing fewer hours and employees.

💰 How are wages trending?
Wages went up 0.6% from May—not huge, but still moving up. Even though wages are about 39% higher than two years ago, the big jumps have slowed down.

The Data Behind This Report

Every insight in this report comes from analyzing real business data:

• 100,000+ small businesses across all 50 states
• 150+ million shifts managed annually
• Real-time clock-in data from actual employees
• Cross-industry coverage from restaurants to retail to services

When we say small businesses are being cautious, we're not speculating—we're tracking actual hiring decisions across the country.

Small Businesses Are Hiring Again, But at Half Last Year's Pace

The Numbers: Modest Growth After Spring Struggles

June brought some momentum after a slower start to 2025. Both employees working and total hours climbed 1.8%—the kind of bump you'd expect when summer kicks in.

Here's what's happening: The numbers are good, but they show businesses are being more careful about summer hiring than they were last year. Most are testing the waters rather than jumping in with both feet.

💡 Key Takeaway
Small businesses are taking a cautious approach to summer hiring. The 1.8% growth is positive but shows businesses are testing demand rather than making big staffing bets like they did in 2024.

‍

Industry Insights: Entertainment Businesses Jumped 25% While Medical Offices Stayed Flat

Entertainment Takes the Lead

Entertainment businesses—think sports venues, rec centers, seasonal attractions—had the biggest jump with 25%+ growth from May. Personal services like salons and beauty shops also did well as people get ready for summer.

Essential Services Stay Steady

Medical and vet offices stayed pretty flat, which makes sense. They don't usually see a summer rush like other businesses do.

💡 Key Takeaway
Summer hiring isn't happening equally across all industries. Entertainment saw 25%+ growth while essential services like medical and veterinary stayed flat, showing how seasonal demand varies dramatically by business type.

Wages Are 39% Higher Than 2 Years Ago, But Monthly Growth Has Stalled

Growth Has Plateaued

Average hourly wages increased 0.6% from May—a modest gain following May's slower growth. While pay rates remain about 39% higher than two years ago, the pace of wage increases has stabilized.

What this indicates: Small businesses are balancing the need to fill summer positions with careful attention to labor costs. The period of rapid wage growth appears to be leveling off.

💡 Key Takeaway
The era of rapid wage increases appears to be over. With wages 39% higher than two years ago but only growing 0.6% month-over-month, small businesses have shifted from aggressive wage competition to cost management.

‍

The Midwest and Northeast Are Adding 5%+ Staff While the Southwest Cuts Back

Doing Well: Midwest and Northeast

Both regions saw hours and headcounts go up more than 5% each. Summer business is picking up nicely there.

Steady Growth: Southeast and West

These areas showed steady improvement—nothing crazy, but moving in the right direction.

Having a Tougher Time: Southwest

This region is seeing more ups and downs, with some businesses actually cutting hours and staff.

💡 Key Takeaway
Regional economic conditions are driving very different hiring patterns. The Midwest and Northeast are seeing 5%+ growth while the Southwest is experiencing declines, highlighting how local market conditions matter more than national trends.

What This Means for Your Business

If You're Thinking About Hiring for Summer:

• Start small: Try hiring a few people first to see if business really picks up
• Your industry matters: Entertainment and personal services are doing better right now
• Location counts: Midwest and Northeast are seeing the best growth
• It's not just about pay: Flexible schedules and a good work environment matter too

If You're Already Staffed Up:

• Make the most of your current team: Focus on getting everyone working efficiently
• Stay ready: Keep your hiring process ready in case business takes off
• Watch what others are doing: See how similar businesses in your area are handling things

💡 Key Takeaway
Small businesses are adopting a "test first" approach to summer hiring. The modest 1.8% growth across both employees and hours suggests businesses are making incremental staffing decisions rather than aggressive seasonal expansions.

{{banner-cta}}

About This Report

The Main Street Health Report analyzes real employment data from over 100,000 small businesses nationwide, tracking actual employee clock-ins, hours worked, and wage patterns. Unlike surveys or estimates, this data reflects what's actually happening in small businesses across America.

Want more insights like this? Contact data@joinhomebase.com to learn how these trends might impact your specific business or industry.

Ready to optimize your team management? Homebase helps 100,000+ small businesses handle scheduling, time tracking, and payroll—so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing spreadsheets.

‍