Analysis by Irina Kvirikadze - Rewards Intelligence & Insights
Research findings from Vencon Research indicate that salary increases in 2026 are expected to be more moderate compared with the high-inflation years of the recent past.
Organizations across the consulting industry are adjusting compensation strategies in response to easing inflation, ongoing economic uncertainty, and structural changes in workforce management such as AI-driven automation. Rather than broad base-salary increases, employers are increasingly emphasizing variable pay, promotion-driven adjustments, and holistic total rewards offerings.
Globally, average salary increases in the consulting industry are projected at 3.7% in 2026, while inflation is expected to stand at 2.4%. This represents a clear slowdown compared with 2025, when salary growth was projected at 4.5%, reflecting a more cautious and targeted approach to pay management.
Regionally, the APAC region expects the highest salary increases, at 4.2%, while Europe is likely to see comparatively lower increases at 3.2%. Expected Inflation rates are highest across the Americas at 2.8%.
Expected Salary Growth: Europe
In Europe, salary increases are expected to range from 1.8% to 6%, broadly aligned with inflation levels that vary significantly by country. Core markets such as Germany, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom are projected to see moderate increases between 2.7% and 3.2%, while higher growth is anticipated in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Hungary and Romania, where inflationary pressures remain elevated.
Expected Salary Growth: Americas
Across the Americas, average salary increases in 2026 are projected at 3.9%. Latin America continues to outpace North America, led by Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil, while salary growth in the United States and Canada is expected to remain moderate at just above 3%. Argentina has been excluded from regional averages due to ongoing inflation volatility.
Expected Salary Growth: APAC and MENA
In APAC, salary growth is expected to remain robust and broadly in line with 2025 levels, ranging from 2.7% to 8.2%. India continues to stand out as the strongest growth market globally.
In the Middle East and Africa, salary increases are projected to soften compared with last year, with most major markets clustering around the low-to-mid 3% range.
Overall, the 2026 outlook points to a return to more normalized salary growth, with employers prioritizing flexibility, performance differentiation, and total rewards optimization over uniform pay increases.
Vencon Research provides consulting firms with precise, industry-specific compensation benchmarking, ensuring they stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Our research includes further detailed insights into salary increases for 2025 by country, line of business, and career level, helping firms understand pay trends and make informed compensation decisions.
Learn more about how Vencon Research can support your firm’s pay strategy.