Wagepoint’s 2026 report finds median hourly pay rose 27% from 2019 to 2025, while part-time roles declined and Gen Z’s share of small-business workers more than doubled.
The year-over-year payroll employment decline in the sector in January was led by sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (-11,400;Â -5.4%), furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-5,900;Â -5.5%) and general merchandise retailers (-3,000;Â -1.1%).