Sixty-three percent of employees in America indicate that receiving higher wages is more important to them than having better health benefits. These findings are according to the 2017 "Getting Paid In America" survey conducted by the American Payroll Association for National Payroll Week. The results for 2017 reflect a 12.5% increase over the 2016 replies for this question.

"A wage increase is easy for workers to understand. The value is clear and immediately apparent," said Mike Trabold, director of compliance risk for Paychex.  "In 2017, considering today's unpredictable regulatory environment, the same can't be said for better benefits."

The annual APA survey asked, "What's more important to you, better health benefits or higher wages?" Sixty-three percent of respondents indicated higher wages are more important than health benefits.  The number of survey participants with this preference rose 12.5% from the 2016 results for the same question, which indicated only 56% of employees shared this sentiment.

During National Payroll Week, the American Payroll Association shares information for employees to better understand their paychecks.  This knowledge can help them make smarter decisions with how they're paid.

"Maximizing your paycheck is immensely important," said Dan Maddux, executive director of the American Payroll Association.  "During National Payroll Week, we teach employees to better understand their payroll-related benefits and how to use them to get the most each paycheck."