Salary budgets are flat. Here’s how employers can win talent in 2027

Published July 30, 2026 3:03 PM EDT Updated July 31, 2026 10:50 AM EDT 4 Min Read

Businesswoman Giving check To Her Colleague. — Adobe Stock

Key Insight: Discover how employers are shifting compensation strategies as salary budgets remain flat.
What’s at Stake: Employers competing for talent as salary budgets remain flat.
Supporting Data: 15% of organizations planning future changes to one specific program.
Forward Look: Salary budgets projected to remain at 3.4% in 2027.
Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

With salary budget increases expected to remain flat in 2027, U.S. companies are looking beyond hiring to strengthen their employee value proposition.

Jimmy Nesbitt

Reporter

Jimmy Nesbitt is a reporter at Employee Benefit News, where he covers the evolving landscape of workplace benefits, healthcare, retirement, financial wellness and related policy issues. His career … Read full bio

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