1. U.S. small business job growth remained flat in May. 2. Hourly earnings growth fell to a four-year low of 2.77%. 3. The Small Business Jobs Index is at 99.81, indicating no job growth. 4. Midwest shows strongest small business employment growth; West continues to lag. 5. Wage inflation is moderating according to Paychex's CEO.
The decline in hourly earnings growth and flat job growth may signal economic concerns affecting PAYX. Historical trends show that sluggish wage growth can lead to reduced spending by consumers, which hurts demand for PAYX's services.
The article highlights vital economic indicators directly affecting small businesses, PAYX's primary clientele. Changes in wage and employment dynamics are likely to impact PAYX's performance and market perception.
The immediate economic indicators suggest PAYX might face pressure in the next financial quarters. Slow wage growth and job stagnation can influence PAYX's revenue growth expectations quickly.
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In May, job growth in U.S. small businesses remained largely unchanged from April, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch. The Small Business Jobs Index, which is a primary component of Paychex’s monthly employment report for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, has continued to show steady, flat employment growth throughout 2025. Meanwhile, hourly earnings growth for U.S. small business workers reached a four-year low at 2.77% in May.
“Despite the rapidly changing news cycle, the underlying labor market remains fundamentally healthy, and small business owners have remained resilient,” said John Gibson, Paychex president and CEO. “While inflation concerns remain for business owners, wage inflation in small businesses continued to moderate and reached a new four-year low in May.”
Jobs Index and Wage Data Highlights
More Information
For more information about the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch, visit the website and sign up to receive monthly Employment Watch alerts.
*Information regarding the professions included in the industry data can be found at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
About the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch
The Paychex Small Business Employment Watch is released each month by Paychex, Inc. Focused exclusively on businesses with fewer than 50 workers, the monthly report offers analysis of national employment and wage trends and examines regional, state, metro, and industry sector activity. Drawing from the payroll data of approximately 350,000 Paychex clients, this powerful industry benchmark delivers real-time insights into the small business trends driving the U.S. economy. The jobs index is scaled to 100, which represents no year-over-year change in job growth among same store businesses. Index values above 100 represent new jobs being added, while values below 100 represent jobs being lost.
About Paychex
Paychex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PAYX) is the digitally driven HR leader that is reimagining how companies address the needs of today’s workforce with the most comprehensive, flexible, and innovative HCM solutions for organizations of all sizes. Offering a full spectrum of HR advisory and employee solutions, Paychex pays 1 out of every 11 American private sector workers and is raising the bar in HCM for nearly 800,000 customers in the U.S. and Europe. Every member of the Paychex team is committed to fulfilling the company’s purpose of helping businesses succeed. Visit paychex.com to learn more.