Modest pay hikes next year could leave some workers lagging inflation
September 1, 2026 / 2:51 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- Employers anticipate modest pay hikes averaging 3.5% in 2027.
- Salary increases have moderated since their peak in 2023.
- Limited raises may cause some employees to fall behind inflation.
- Companies are prioritizing raises for top performers and strategic areas.
- High-tech and banking sectors project higher average raises (3.8% and 3.7%) compared to industries like retail.