Worker Hourly Earnings Growth Increases to a Record Level in August; Pace of Small Business Hiring Moderates

Workers of U.S. small businesses continue to benefit from higher wages, according to the latest Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch. Average hourly earnings growth increased to 5.18 percent, matching a record set in May 2022. Meanwhile, the pace of job growth at small businesses moderated from the previous month, slowing -0.20 percent. The Small Business Jobs Index stands at 99.94.

“Small business job growth continued to slow in August as the Fed fought inflation with higher interest rates,” said James Diffley, chief regional economist at IHS Markit.

“Our August jobs index results reveal a continuation of last month’s trend: the demand for workers at U.S. small businesses is high and the supply is low, making it more difficult for small businesses to fill many open positions,” said Martin Mucci, Paychex chairman and CEO.

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In further detail, the August report showed:

• At $30.71 per hour, hourly earnings increased by $1.51 in the last 12 months.
• At 99.94, the national jobs index fell below 100 for the first time since September 2021.
• The South’s Job Index lead continued as it was the only region to top 100 (100.55). The South also led in hourly earnings growth, at 5.53 percent, and weekly earnings growth, at 5.00 percent.
• Small business employment growth in the West slowed 0.30 percent in August and ranked last among regions for the first time since 2020, with West Coast metros San Francisco, San Diego, Riverside, and Seattle all dropping more than two percent during the past quarter.
• North Carolina remained the top state for small business job growth; Florida was once again the top state for worker hourly earnings growth (6.45 percent).
• Dallas continues to lead U.S. metros in small business job growth and hourly earnings growth for workers.
• At 102.89, other services (except public administration) remained the top sector for job growth for the third consecutive month.

Note: The other services (except public administration) industry category includes religious, civic, and social organizations, as well as personal services, including automotive and household repair, salons, drycleaners, and other businesses.

Paychex solutions reach 1 in 12 American private-sector employees, making the Small Business Employment Watch an industry benchmark. Drawing from the payroll data of approximately 350,000 Paychex clients with fewer than 50 employees, the monthly report offers analysis of national employment and wage trends, as well as examines regional, state, metro, and industry sector activity.

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The complete results for August, including interactive charts detailing all data, are available at www.paychex.com/watch. Highlights are available below.

• The national jobs index fell below 100 for the first time since September 2021 following moderations in small business employment during the spring and summer.
• At 99.94, the jobs index slowed each of the past six months. It slowed by 0.20 percent in August and by 1.37 percent since February.

• Hourly earnings growth improved to 5.18 percent in August, matching its May 2022 record. At $30.71 per hour, hourly earnings increased $1.51 from this time last year.
• Though the gains have been modest, weekly earnings growth increased for six straight months, from 3.95 percent in February to 4.54 percent in August.

• The South widened its lead among regions, moderating -0.11 percent in August. At 100.55, the South was the only regional index above 100.
• At 99.54, the jobs index in the West slowed 0.30 percent in August, ranking last among regions for the first time since 2020.
• By slowing just 0.08 percent in August to 99.59, the Midwest increased its position to third among regions. It was the first time the Midwest moved from the lowest spot in 13 months.

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