The 2025-2026 BalancedComp Salary & Incentive Survey underscores a pivotal moment for the financial sector. After years of minimal growth, the significant salary increases for both executive and non-executive roles signal a renewed focus on talent investment. For HR professionals, compensation committees, and leadership teams, this data offers actionable insights to navigate a complex labor market.
Human Resources is continually steering a ship through choppy water. There is a tight labor market, inflation is nibbling at margins, and more economic fog is expected on the horizon. And now, it includes a flatlining salary increase budget.
In the magical land of Financial Bliss, a young CEO saved his kingdom—only to receive a modest raise. Disheartened, he cried, “Where’s my treasure chest?” Enter: the Compensation Fairy.
After years of reshuffling, the labor market is finally finding its footing. But with Gen Z on the move and hiring cooling off, what comes next for employers?
The compensation landscape in 2025 is poised to be more transparent, equitable, and flexible than ever before. Companies that embrace these trends will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent. As the workforce becomes more diverse and demands more personalized and fair compensation, businesses must adapt to these shifts or risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive global market.
When it comes to employee turnover, financial institutions often focus on reducing it, equating lower turnover with decreasing costs, stability, and success. Lower turnover means fewer replacement costs and less time spent recruiting and onboarding new employees, which, on the surface, is a win. However, what if too low of low turnover is quietly working against your organization’s long-term goals?
Pay transparency laws rapidly reshape the employment landscape, impacting hiring practices, salary negotiations, and organizational culture. That’s why our team partnered with Morgan Geffre, an employment and labor law Associate at Foulston-Siefkin LLP, to discover what to know and expect in order to stay ahead of these upcoming changes.
This includes the top 30 position salaries that have seen pay increases 150-500% faster than the average annual market rate within the financial industry. Interestingly, this includes some executive positions and jobs that require a high school diploma.
