PAYX · News · 20260805N

Small-Business Employment Trends

PAYCHEX INC · 2026-08-05 · Importance 22 · Surprise 32

Paychex’s July 2026 Small Business Employment Watch showed a U.S. small-business jobs index of 99.23, slightly above the first-half average. Hourly earnings increased 2.86%, while weekly hours worked rose 0.40%, described as the highest level in more than five years. Weekly earnings growth accelerated to 3.14%, the strongest reading since December 2023, and manufacturing recorded the strongest job-growth momentum among sectors.

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