The Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch for May shows a small increase in the rate of hiring and a slight decrease in the pace of wage growth. The Small Business Jobs Index grew for the first time since January, up 0.07 percent to 99.60. Job growth among small businesses is down 0.73 percent year-over-year, reflecting tightening labor markets. Hourly earnings grew $0.67 to $26.61, up 2.59 percent from last year. The pace of annual wage growth is down from its peak of 2.96 percent in June 2017, but one-month (2.80 percent) and three-month (2.86 percent) annualized hourly earnings growth continue to trend higher than the annual rate.
“The national index saw a slight improvement in May, its first since January, but remains below 100,” said James Diffley, chief regional economist at IHS Markit.
Topped by Phoenix, the Southwestern metros remain the leaders in wage gains.
On a national level, the Small Business Jobs Index grew for the first time since January, up 0.07 percent to 99.60. Job growth among small businesses is down 0.73 percent year-over-year, reflecting tightening labor markets. Hourly earnings grew $0.67 to $26.61, up 2.59 percent from last year. The pace of annual wage growth is down from its peak of 2.96 percent in June 2017, but one-month (2.80 percent) and three-month (2.86 percent) annualized hourly earnings growth continue to trend higher than the annual rate.
“It’s encouraging to see the jobs index increase for the first time since January. The modest rate of growth in small business employment reflects the continuing pressure of the tightening labor market,” said Martin Mucci, Paychex president and CEO.
