2026 Compensation Planning Guide

The document is a guide focused on compensation planning for the year 2026. It provides national and regional data regarding personnel expenses, specifically detailing various types of salary increases such as general increases, merit increases, and other increases. Definitions for these terms are included for clarity. The guide outlines the total salary increase budget as a percentage of total payroll, along with salary structure adjustments and variable pay budgets by employee group. It presents projections for salary increases across different employee categories and industries, based on data from the 52nd Annual Salary Budget Survey conducted by World at Work. The document also includes specific projections for different regions, detailing expected salary increases for various employee groups. This comprehensive approach aims to assist organizations in effectively planning their compensation strategies for the upcoming year.