Paychex Small Business Jobs Index Improves for a Third Consecutive Month
Rochester, N.Y. (June 2, 2026) – The Paychex Small Business Jobs Index – a primary component of the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch that measures the pace of job growth among U.S. small businesses with fewer than 50 employees – improved for the third consecutive month in May, a first since February 2023. The jobs index increased 0.18 percentage points in May to 99.34, marking its highest level so far in 2026. While hourly earnings growth remained steady at 2.73% in May, U.S. small business workers experienced continued growth in both weekly hours worked and earnings for the month.
Read the full news release on the Small Business Employment Watch site.
Tracy Volkmann
Tracy Volkmann began working at Paychex in July 2014 and currently manages public relations for the company. In this role, she is responsible leading the PR function, protecting the company's reputation, and driving positive earned media coverage for Paychex. Tracy is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and started her career in collegiate athletic communications, having spent seven years at West Point.
