The latest monthly survey on small business employment around the U.S. from Paychex and IHS shows consistent growth, although the increase in jobs was nearly flat compared to the month before. The Paychex | IHS Small Business Jobs Index was up slightly in August compared to July and up a bit compared to July of 0f last year.
Paychex CEO Marty Mucci says the sector of the economy that continues to see the strongest growth in small business jobs is the one that includes various kinds of services such as personal care or pet care.
“The good news is that this is where you spend discretionary income, so that’s good news, people are spending, consumers are spending, that should mean a stronger economy. The bad news is many of those are part-time and so will they stick and really stay as long term jobs? We hope so.”
Mucci says one of the weaker sectors in terms of hiring has been in manufacturing. He says the strong dollar is likely partly to blame for that.
Geographically, some of the biggest growth in job growth at small businesses has been in the southeastern U.S.
Mucci says the survey also shows average wage growth of 3.8 percent but he says that is generally in lower paying jobs, and that number may reflect increases in the minimum wage in some states.
