Paychex: US Small Business Jobs Index Holds Near 2026 Average in September

• Paychex published its September 29, 2026 Small Business Employment Watch showing the U.S. small business jobs index rose 0.02 percentage points to 99.15 in September.
• The reading stayed close to the 2026 year-to-date average of 99.19, signaling broadly steady hiring conditions.
• Hourly earnings growth held below 3% at 2.78%, extending a more than two-year slowdown in wage gains.
• Weekly earnings growth remained positive, supported by an increase in hours worked.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Paychex Inc. published the original content used to generate this news brief on September 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.