You might only get a moderate pay rise this year. Here’s what to do about it
by Aoibhinn Mc Bride | This Column was created by Jobbio - 09/19/25 9:00 AM ET
New year, new pay rise… but don’t get too excited.
While you might think your yearly incremental pay rise can only be a good thing, think again. That’s because, according to a new global report by consulting firm Korn Ferry, U.S. workers can expect only a very moderate increase in salary in 2026.
In the latest Korn Ferry Total Rewards Pulse Survey, 44 percent of leaders said their organizations will provide increases to at least 95 percent of employees, with only 1 percent of firms handing out none.
5 jobs hiring across the U.S.
Policy Counsel, ACLU of New Hampshire, Concord
Research Associates, J.L. Partners, New York
Police Crime Analyst, City of Danville, VA, Danville
Policy Associate, LHH, Tulsa
Government Programs Policy Specialist, Innova, New York
However, the average estimated raises are lower, in some cases, far lower, than what companies had been paying previously. Additionally, they’re tying pay rise figures to projected market salary increments rather than to real increases in the cost of living.
In real terms, this equates to a 3.5 percent raise in 2026, just slightly ahead of the current rate of U.S. inflation, which stands at 2.9 percent. Median wages and salaries increased 3.9 percent and 5.1 percent, respectively, for the twelve-month periods ending in June 2025 and June 2024.
By comparison, some industries were paying out raises of 10 percent or higher to attract or retain select workers after the pandemic.
more
https://thehill.com/lobbying/5511686-inflation-impact-paycheck-debt/
