economy

"Peanut butter" pay raises are out, as employers shift to merit-based hikes

August 4, 2026 / 9:00 AM EDT / CBS News

"Peanut butter" pay raises are out, as employers shift to merit-based hikes

TL;DR

  • Companies are moving from broad, across-the-board pay raises to merit-based and other forms of compensation for top employees.
  • Only 32% of employers plan standard, across-the-board increases in 2027, down from 36% in 2026.
  • The average base pay increase planned for 2027 is 3.5%, a slight increase from the previous year.
  • The size of compensation budgets is not growing, but employers are changing how they distribute raises.
  • Some industries, such as aerospace and defense, plan higher average pay increases (4.5%), while others, like telecommunications, plan lower increases (2.5%).