Small Business
Paychex Small Business Jobs Index Improves for the Fourth Consecutive Month
Job gains were broad based while hourly earnings growth remains below three percent ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Paychex Small Business Jobs Index—a primary component of the monthly Paychex Small Business Employment Watch report—shows the pace of job growth among U.S. small businesses with fewer than 50 employees improved for the fourth consecutive month in June, matching its highest index level since August 2025 (99.83) and marking the first four-month consecutive incr
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Job gains were broad based while hourly earnings growth remains below three percent ROCHESTER, N.Y., June 30, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Paychex Small Business Jobs Index—a primary component of the monthly Paychex Small Business Employment Watch report—shows the pace of job growth among U.S. small businesses with fewer than 50 employees improved for the fourth consecutive month in June, matching its highest index level since August 2025 (99.83) and marking the first four-month consecutive increase since November 2020. While gains were broad based, increases across the West region (1.22 percentage points) and the Leisure & Hospitality sector (1.68 percentage points) helped drive the jobs index gains in June. Meanwhile, hourly earnings growth for U.S. workers remains below three percent (2.80%). Weekly hours worked (0.14%) continued to trend positively for the fourth consecutive month, as weekly earnings growth in June reported 2.80%. "The pace of small business job growth improved for a fourth consecutive month in June, matching its highest level since August 2025 and once again reinforcing the resilience of small businesses," said John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. "Broad-based momentum across most regions and many states, coupled with continued increases in weekly hours worked and earnings, signals steady demand for workers among small businesses as we move through summer." "The pace of employment growth across our overall client base improved again in June, with slightly stronger growth among those with 50 or more employees," Gibson added. Jobs Index and Wage Data Highlights About the Paychex Small Business Employment WatchSince 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.