Salary budgets have stabilized as employers focus on pay strategy for 2026

NEW YORK, Jan. 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US salary budgets for 2026 are expected to remain stable at 3.4%, the same as the actual salary budget increase for 2025. Inflation expectations have regulated across many economies, reducing the need for reactive pay increases and instead allowing organizations to plan proactively. This is according to the latest Salary Budget Planning Survey from leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, WTW (NASDAQ:WTW).