Robert Half Releases 2026 Salary Guide Highlighting Key Compensation Trends Amid a Complex Job Market

Rhea-AI Summary

Robert Half (NYSE:RHI) has released its 2026 Salary Guide, revealing key compensation trends in a competitive job market. The guide indicates that 84% of hiring managers are offering higher salaries for specialized skills, with the highest salary increases projected in AI, machine learning, and data science (4.1%).

The research shows that 88% of professionals feel confident negotiating salaries, though some face challenges. Additionally, 66% of candidates would consider full-time office work for higher pay, with 60% requiring at least a 10% salary increase. The guide also highlights that 74% of employers are concerned about meeting salary expectations, leading to an increased focus on comprehensive benefits packages.

Positive

• 84% of hiring managers offering higher salaries for specialized skills
• Strong salary growth in tech sectors with 4.1% increase for AI and data science roles
• 88% of professionals confident in salary negotiations
• 50% of hiring managers plan to add new benefits and perks in 2026

Negative

• Overall salary growth has moderated compared to previous periods
• 41% of candidates struggle with knowing what is negotiable in compensation packages
• 74% of employers concerned about meeting salary expectations
• Requirement for 10% or higher salary increase to attract workers back to office full-time

• Employers are increasing pay for specialized skills, while candidates are negotiating with confidence and considering in-office work.
• Total compensation, including benefits and perks, plays a meaningful role in career decisions.

MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half released the 2026 Salary Guide, an essential tool for employers and job seekers. As one of the original sources for salary data, the guide provides insights on key compensation trends, benefits and perks, and projected starting salaries for hundreds of roles across 7 professional fields nationwide.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/robert-half/9211552-en-robert-half-2026-salary-guide

The company's latest guide finds that many employers are offering higher salaries to candidates with specialized skills, while most job seekers—despite a competitive market—are confident negotiating compensation packages.

The Value of Specialized Skills
While overall salary growth has moderated, 84% of hiring managers say they will offer higher salaries to candidates who possess in-demand skills. According to the guide, roles in the following areas are projected to experience higher-than-average starting salary gains:

• Artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science (4.1%)
• Public accounting, tax, audit and assurance (3.7%)
• Content strategy, digital project management and marketing analytics (3.3%)
• Customer support and healthcare administration (3.0%)
• Legal contract management (2.7%)
• Compensation and benefits (2.4%)

"Specialized skills are the currency of today's job market," said Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half. "To attract and retain in-demand talent, employers must provide competitive pay along with meaningful benefits and perks or risk losing top candidates if their offers don't measure up."

Meanwhile, 88% of professionals said they feel confident negotiating salary offers, though some admit to challenges around knowing what is negotiable (41%), being able to justify requests (36%) and determining their market value (29%).

"A thoughtful approach to salary negotiations is critical," said Fay. "It starts with knowing your value, doing the research and clarifying your priorities—so you can confidently ask for the compensation package you desire."

Total Compensation Takes Center Stage
With 74% of employers concerned about meeting candidates' salary expectations, competitive perks, benefits and other incentives are becoming increasingly important. The research shows that half (50%) of hiring managers expect adding new benefits and perks will be an effective recruiting strategy in 2026, while workers revealed which offerings would prompt them to switch employers—assuming base pay remained the same:

• Financial incentives (53%)
• Work-life balance perks (51%)
• Retirement planning (42%)
• Health and wellness offerings (39%)

"While offering a competitive salary is imperative, it shouldn't be the only consideration," Fay added. "Employers who embrace both monetary and non-monetary perks and benefits will stand out to candidates who are evaluating offers."

Pay Tradeoffs for In-Office Work
While remote work remains a powerful recruitment tool, some professionals may be willing to work fully on-site if the pay is right. According to the 2026 Salary Guide, 66% of candidates would agree to work in-person full-time for a higher salary, with most (60%) requiring a 10% or more increase to do so.

To access the full guide and explore salary data and trends by profession and location, visit the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half.

About the 2026 Salary Guide From Robert Half
Robert Half has been publishing salary forecasts for 75 years. Since 1950, the guide has served as a trusted source for employers, job seekers, industry associations, government and educational institutions, and national and local media. The guide features salary benchmarks based on real compensation data and insights from Robert Half talent solutions professionals, as well as results from surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm in April 2025. The survey contains responses from nearly 2,000 workers and 2,200 hiring managers in the United States.

About Robert Half
Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized talent solutions and business consulting firm, connecting highly skilled job seekers with rewarding opportunities at great companies. We offer contract talent and permanent placement solutions in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and we also provide executive search services. Robert Half is the parent company of Protiviti^®, a global consulting firm that delivers internal audit, risk, business and technology consulting solutions. In the past 12 months, Robert Half, including Protiviti, has been named one of the Fortune^® Most Admired Companies™ and 100 Best Companies to Work For. Explore talent solutions, research and insights at roberthalf.com.

 

 

 

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/robert-half-releases-2026-salary-guide-highlighting-key-compensation-trends-amid-a-complex-job-market-302568581.html

SOURCE Robert Half

FAQ

What are the highest-paying skills according to Robert Half's 2026 Salary Guide?

According to the guide, AI, machine learning, and data science roles will see the highest salary increases at 4.1%, followed by public accounting (3.7%) and digital marketing roles (3.3%).

How many employers plan to offer higher salaries for specialized skills in 2026?

84% of hiring managers say they will offer higher salaries to candidates with in-demand skills.

What percentage of workers would return to full-time office work for higher pay?

66% of candidates would agree to work in-person full-time for a higher salary, with 60% requiring at least a 10% salary increase.

What are the top benefits that would make employees switch jobs in 2026?

The top benefits that would prompt workers to switch employers are financial incentives (53%), followed by work-life balance perks (51%), retirement planning (42%), and health and wellness offerings (39%).

What are the main challenges professionals face when negotiating salaries according to RHI's 2026 guide?

The main challenges are knowing what is negotiable (41%), being able to justify requests (36%), and determining their market value (29%).