Business
Pace of U.S. Small Business Employment Increases in April
ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 05, 2026--The pace of job growth among U.S. small businesses showed an increase in April, marking the second consecutive month of gains as employers continued to demonstrate resilience amid ongoing economic uncertainty, according to the latest Paychex Small Business Employment Watch. The national jobs index, which reflects employment growth in U.S. small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, rose 0.35 percentage points from March to April (99.16), the largest one‑month in
About this update from Paychex, Inc.
Small Business Jobs Index and weekly hours worked growth rise for the second-straight month ROCHESTER, N.Y., May 05, 2026--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The pace of job growth among U.S. small businesses showed an increase in April, marking the second consecutive month of gains as employers continued to demonstrate resilience amid ongoing economic uncertainty, according to the latest Paychex Small Business Employment Watch. The national jobs index, which reflects employment growth in U.S. small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, rose 0.35 percentage points from March to April (99.16), the largest one‑month increase since February 2025. Hourly earnings growth for U.S. small business workers remained steady and below three percent for the 18th consecutive month in April at 2.71%. Weekly hours worked growth (0.18%) was positive for the second consecutive month, a trend that has only happened twice in the last five years. "Despite facing an evolving set of challenges and an increasingly uncertain macroenvironment, our latest employment data from U.S. small business clients indicate some encouraging signs," said John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. "Consecutive gains in the pace of employment and weekly hours worked growth in March and April demonstrate remarkable resilience among small business owners. We remain focused on supporting our clients as they manage both complexities and opportunities, including the 2025 tax cuts, so they are well positioned for long‑term success." "Overall employment across our client base continues to be stable," Gibson added. "While moderate employment growth among Paychex clients with 50 or more employees remains consistent, smaller clients experienced an increase in the job growth rate during March and April." Jobs Index and Wage Data Highlights About the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch Since 2014, the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch has been a trusted source of employment trends for U.S. small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The Employment Watch website offers interactive charts and historical data across the report’s two key components – the jobs index and wage data – as well as the methodology for both analyses. Visit the Bloomberg Terminals or subscribe to receive monthly alerts with the latest data. *Information regarding the professions included in the industry...