The year-over-year salary trends we surfaced offer insight into dynamics at play in the broader economic and business landscape. Payscale Peer data is representative of more than 8.9 million employees and over 5,430 organizations, across 115 industries, 55 countries, and over five thousand jobs. Payscale leveraged our employer-reported salary data network, named Peer, to determine median pay and annual wage growth for these jobs and industries. Payscale provides wage growth trends by industry and occupation, pay differentials using Payfactor’s AI technology, and labor market metrics sourced from the BLS to provide compensation insight into today’s job market. Download the full report for deeper analysis on recent wage growth according to Payscale Peer and how Payscale tools like Explore and closed industry-based salary data networks can help you provide accurate, real-time salary insights to navigate cost pressures and engage top talent.
Mercer found that only about 20% of the more than 850 organizations surveyed in November had confirmed their compensation budgets. “Barring an unforeseen shock that disrupts the labor market, it seems reasonable to assume that the conditions of 2024 will largely persist in 2025, with compensation growth remaining stable or slightly declining,” Ladner said. Various research finds that employers are planning to dole out pay raises in 2025 similar to those they awarded in 2024—although slightly lower. It included increased pay transparency, stalemates on gender pay equity, and slowing pay increases due to a stabilizing labor market.
As artificial intelligence technology continues to develop, the demand for workers with the ability to work alongside and manage AI systems will increase. Part of the push around pay transparency is because employees, particularly those entering the workforce, “are demanding more clarity about how pay is determined, making transparency something that all companies need to have a plan to address,” Bertin said. There will also “certainly be significant variation in these conditions across the labor market based on skill set and industry,” Ladner said. In summer 2024, compensation firm Payscale found that U.S. employers are planning for 3.5% pay raises on average this year—a dip from the past couple of years—due to a cooling labor market. They consider various factors, including local cost of living, talent supply and demand, and the concentration of high-paying industries in each metropolitan area.
- While overall wage growth is 3.9% in 2025, some jobs are seeing wage growth double that.
- Unlike traditional salary surveys, AI-powered pricing continuously updates and detects patterns, enabling more precise, equitable, and competitive pay decisions that adapt quickly to changing labor market conditions.
- In summer 2024, compensation firm Payscale found that U.S. employers are planning for 3.5% pay raises on average this year—a dip from the past couple of years—due to a cooling labor market.
- Only 22,000 jobs were reported for August 2025 and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3%.
- Experts say employers are becoming increasingly strategic in how they allocate pay increases, shifting away from broad, across-the-board raises in favor of targeted, merit-based increases for top performers and employees in critical roles.
HR: with enterprise system projects on the rise, project management skills are in demand
The administrative and customer support sector is experiencing steady salary growth as organizations continue to adapt to hybrid work environments and evolving operational needs. Employers can use this information to help shape compensation planning and other talent management strategies so they can compete effectively for talent in 2025. Salaries and Roles Salary and hiring trends Labor Market Trends Workplace Research Research and insights Article Compensation and Benefits Payscale surveyed both employers and employees and measured the gap in confidence when it comes to trust in pay decisions, with insights on salary misinformation from social media and AI and concerns about economic uncertainty, cost of living, and rewarding performance. With decades of innovation in sourcing reputable data and developing AI-powered tools, Payscale delivers actionable insights that turn pay from a cost to a catalyst.
- Employers need salary guides to set pay that’s competitive with what other companies are offering.
- Recruiting Manager is likely a hot job in 2025 because companies are realizing they need talent acquisition professionals to navigate the labor market, address skills gaps, and compete for top talent despite growing adoption of AI-enhanced hiring.
- A survey of 2,250 business leaders reveals several key salary trends to watch in 2026.
- Compensation trends reflect this, especially for roles tied to revenue, operations and business continuity.
- Employers can use this information to help shape compensation planning and other talent management strategies so they can compete effectively for talent in 2025.
Business
Wage growth for the top ten industries are included in the full report. According to the BLS JOLTS (Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey) in July 2025, job openings have declined while unemployment has surged, which has increased anxiety about the state of labor market. Nonfarm payrolls for the year before March 2025 were downwardly revised by 911,000 jobs relative to prior estimates. http://www.glbthealth.org/CommunityStandardsofPractice.htm Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the U.S. labor market is losing momentum. With AI-enabled platforms, companies can close data gaps, reduce risk, and promote pay equity in uncertain times.
Customize salaries and learn more about each role. The 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half provides projected starting salaries for key roles across 7 professional fields, plus the latest compensation trends. API Crude Oil Stock Change API Cushing Number API Distillate Stocks API Gasoline Stocks Baker Hughes Oil Rig Count Baker Hughes Total Rigs Count EIA Crude Oil Imports Change EIA Crude Oil Stocks Change EIA Cushing Crude Oil Stocks Change EIA Distillate Fuel Production Change EIA Distillate Stocks Change EIA Gasoline Production Change EIA Gasoline Stocks Change EIA Heating Oil Stocks Change EIA Natural Gas Stocks Change EIA Refinery Crude Runs Change Strategic Petroleum Reserve Crude Oil Stocks
Pay Transparency and Pay Fairness
“Salary budgets may be holding steady, but the way organizations are using those dollars is changing significantly,” said Brittany Innes, senior director, rewards data intelligence, at WTW. JobArchitect® streamlines job descriptions, ensuring consistency, compliance, and role alignment. Calculate what your employer spends on your total compensation package or view industry averages.
Recruiting Manager is likely a hot job in 2025 because companies are realizing they need talent acquisition professionals to navigate the labor market, address skills gaps, and compete for top talent despite growing adoption of AI-enhanced hiring. Interesting roles to make the list include Utilization Review Coordinator, Public Relations Representative IV, Inventory Control Planner III, Compensation and Benefits Manager, and Recruiting Coordinator. According to Payscale Peer, the industries seeing wage growth above the average in 2025 include Oil, Gas, & Consumer Fuels, Electronic Equipment, Instruments, & Components, and Construction & Engineering. While overall wage growth is 3.9% in 2025, some jobs are seeing wage growth double that. Only 22,000 jobs were reported for August 2025 and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.3%.
Participate in the 2026 compensation best practices survey
Salaries listed in the guide represent starting salaries only—pay for someone new to the role. Employers need salary guides to set pay that’s competitive with what other companies are offering. It can assist employers with recruitment, retention and workforce planning and help job seekers with career pathing and pay negotiation. Hire talent We’ll help you find a role that fits your goals, skills and lifestyle. Our recruiters are here to help you quickly find experienced professionals who are the right fit for your business.
Payscale in the spotlight—where trusted data meets industry https://www.storonniki.info/the-10-commandments-of-and-how-learn-more-3/ influence. Watch live and on-demand webinars on a variety of topics that matter to you. “This trend is particularly evident in high-demand fields such as AI artificial intelligence engineering and data science. “I’ve observed a growing shift toward skills-based pay, moving away from role-based compensation,” Bertin said. Clarke said organizations this year will need to craft thoughtful talent strategies that “are inclusive and fair when it comes to compensation and benefits. Indeed, a recent survey conducted by London-based business services company StandOut CV found that not disclosing pay is one of the biggest red flags cited by job seekers.