U.S. Small Business Employment Landscape Remains Steady

Rochester, N.Y. (August 4, 2026) – According to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch, the pace of U.S. small business job growth (99.23) in July remained steady and was slightly above average jobs index (99.20) for the first half of the year, signaling a steady employment environment among businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Although hourly earnings growth for small business workers remained below three percent at 2.86% in July, growth in weekly hours worked reached 0.40% — its highest level in more than five years. As a result, weekly earnings growth rose to 3.14%, its strongest level since December 2023.

Read the full news release on the Small Business Employment Watch site.