The Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch showed its first job growth decrease of 2019 in March. After remaining relatively flat in January and February, the Small Business Jobs Index declined 0.15 percent to 98.78. However, despite a 0.88 percent slowdown year-over-year, the first calendar quarter of 2019 represents the strongest quarter in the past year. Hourly earnings growth moderated slightly to 2.52 percent ($0.66) in March, while annualized one-month and three-month growth rates were closer to three percent.

"After two flat months to start 2019, the national index resumed its decline in March to 98.78" said James Diffley, chief regional economist at IHS Markit.

"The challenges of hiring in the tight labor market continued in March as small business job growth declined," said Martin Mucci, Paychex president and CEO. "As our latest Business Sentiment Report indicates, business owners' optimism about their ability to fill open positions with qualified candidates remains low."

Broken down further by geography and industry, the March report showed:

The South continues to lead regions in employment growth; the West remains the top region for hourly earnings growth by nearly a full percent.

Texas remained the strongest state for small business job growth; California is once again the top state for wage growth.

Dallas took the top spot among metros in job growth; San Diego took the lead among metros for wage growth.

Though it remains one of the strongest sectors for small business employment growth, Construction fell below 100 for just the second time in more than seven years.

The complete results for March, including interactive charts detailing all data at a national, regional, state, metro, and industry level, are available at www.paychex.com/employment-watch. Highlights are available below.

National Jobs Index

At 98.78, the index is down 0.88 percent from last March as small business employment growth continues to weaken nationally.

Despite a 0.11 percent slowdown, the first calendar quarter of 2019 represents the strongest three-month growth rate of the last four quarters.

National Wage Report

Hourly earnings growth remains slightly above two and a half percent, though annualized one-month and three-month growth rates are closer to three percent. 

At $875.70, the national average for weekly earnings is up $17.68 from last year (2.06 percent).

Regional Jobs Index

Due to strong gains in Texas, the South continues to lead regional small business employment growth.

At 97.67, the Northeast continues to lag other regions in small business employment growth, down 0.22 percent in March. 

Note: Percentages displayed in the regional heat map reflect 12-month changes.

Regional Wage Report 

Leading at $28.52/hour and 3.21 percent growth, the West is close to a dollar and a percent higher than the other three regions in hourly earnings growth.

The South and the Midwest have weekly earnings growth below two percent.

Note: Percentages displayed in the regional heat map reflect 12-month changes.

State Jobs Index

Texas leads all states in small business employment growth at 101.36, while Georgia and Washington also increased to above 100, joining Arizona and Indiana.

Four states have index levels below 98 and all four are located in the Northeast (New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania). 

Note: Analysis is provided for the 20 largest states based on U.S. population.

State Wage Report

California leads all states with 3.32 percent hourly earnings growth, slightly ahead of the other states with hourly earnings growth above three percent (Missouri, New York, Washington, and Arizona).

Eight of the 20 states report hourly earnings growth below two percent in March. 

Note: Analysis is provided for the 20 largest states based on U.S. population.

Metropolitan Jobs Index 

Houston is once again among the top five metros for small business employment growth, with solid gains in the first quarter of 2019, joining Dallas, Tampa, Phoenix, and Seattle with an index above 100.

Riverside, California, with the largest year-over-year decrease among metros (3.86 percent), is now the lowest ranked metro index, displacing Philadelphia and Boston.

Note: Analysis is provided for the 20 largest metro areas based on U.S. population.

Metropolitan Wage Report

San Diego (4.14 percent), Riverside, and Phoenix lead in hourly earnings growth.

Weekly earnings growth in Detroit sits below one percent due to a decline in hours worked from last year.

 Note: Analysis is provided for the 20 largest metro areas based on U.S. population.

Industry Jobs Index

Construction fell below 100 for just the second time in more than seven years but remains one of the strongest sectors for small business employment growth.

At 97.76, the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities index slipped below 98 for the first time since 2010.

 Note: Analysis is provided for seven major industry sectors.

Industry Wage Report  

Leisure and Hospitality, with the lowest average hourly earnings ($17.10/hour), leads sectors in growth at 4.20 percent.

With negative one-month annualized growth rates in both wages and hours worked, Other Services (except Public Administration) ranks last among sectors in weekly earnings growth (0.42 percent year-over-year).