Wage growth reached a new high for the employees of small businesses in the U.S. in November, according to aggregated payroll data of approximately 350,000 Paychex clients with fewer than 50 employees.

“The positive gains in hourly earnings growth show that employers are responding to tight labor conditions with higher wages,” said Martin Mucci, Paychex CEO. “This growth comes at an opportune time for many Americans who are seeing higher costs for goods this holiday season due to supply chain and inflation pressures.”

In further detail, the November report showed: 

• The national jobs index reached its highest level since March 2017, although growth slowed from 0.50 percent in October to 0.27 percent in November. 
• At a national level, hourly earnings growth has steadily increased, from 2.99 percent in June to 4.07 percent in November. 
• Of the 20 largest states based on U.S. population, all have hourly earnings growth above three percent. 
• With hourly earnings growth at record levels, weekly earnings growth is also on the rise, increasing by nearly a full percentage point from August (2.54 percent) to November (3.46 percent). 
• Leisure and hospitality leads sectors in earnings and hours worked growth for the eighth consecutive month. 
• The South regained its lead among regions in small business employment growth, bolstered by the South Atlantic division.

Paychex business 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.