RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - Feb26 - Flipbook - Page 21
Hiring and jobs trends
The Robert Walters Salary Guide shows
that the employment landscape is entering
a more measured, skills-focused phase.
After a period of economic caution
and elevated living costs in 2025, hiring
is returning with intent - employers
are actively recruiting but doing so
strategically, prioritising critical skills,
career progression, and culture as much
as compensation.
Professionals remain mobile, with career
development, fair pay, and strong leadership
driving decisions. Salary movement through 2026
is expected to be moderate and targeted rather
than broad-based, with increases focused on indemand roles as employers balance cost control
with retention. At the same time, AI is reshaping
roles and accelerating demand for specialised
expertise, while workforce expectations continue
to evolve - 昀氀exibility, wellbeing, and purpose now
sit alongside salary as key drivers of engagement.
About the 2026 Salary Guide
O昀昀ering a comprehensive look into the evolving job markets of Australia and New Zealand, our
salary guide provides the insights you need to stay ahead in a rapidly changing workforce landscape.
Incorporating feedback from our annual Salary Survey of over 5,500 white-collar professionals
spanning more than 12 industries, alongside an in-depth analysis of over 100,000 advertised roles
across the region, this year’s guide provides a forward-looking perspective on the trends shaping
2026. It also features detailed salary ranges and actionable insights tailored to meet your needs.
Key salary and workforce
themes explored
What are the bene昀椀ts of the
2026 Salary Guide?
The 2026 Salary Guide explores critical
questions, including:
• Understand what similar roles are paying
in today’s market
• Identify where demand for skills is
strengthening
• Prepare for salary conversations
and performance reviews
• Gain clarity on employer expectations
and hiring trends
• Are employers planning to increase
salaries in 2026?
• Which roles are most in demand across
key industries?
• How con昀椀dent are professionals about
pay progression?
• Where are skills shortages persisting?
• How are AI, automation, and 昀氀exibility
reshaping roles?
