Payday might get brighter next year! India to see 9% salary hike in 2026, finds survey; real estate, NBFCs to lead surge

India is projected to witness a 9 per cent salary increase in 2026, reflecting sustained economic resilience driven by stable consumption, investments, and supportive policy measures, according to Aon’s Annual Salary Increase and Turnover Survey 2025–26 India, released on Tuesday.The anticipated rise marks a marginal uptick from the 8.9 per cent hike recorded in 2025, even as global economic growth remains subdued. The survey, now in its 30th edition, covered responses from 1,060 organisations across 45 industries.Real estate and infrastructure are expected to lead with the highest projected salary increase at 10.9 per cent, followed by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) at 10 per cent. Other key sectors such as engineering design services (9.7 per cent), automotive manufacturing (9.6 per cent), retail, and life sciences (both at 9.6 per cent) also forecast robust growth in employee compensation.“India’s growth story remains strong, supported by infrastructure investments and policy measures. Our survey shows that key sectors like real estate and NBFCs are leading the way in talent investment, and businesses are taking a strategic approach to compensation to ensure sustainable growth and workforce stability, even amid global uncertainty,” said Roopank Chaudhary, Partner and Rewards Consulting Leader, Talent Solutions for India at Aon, as quoted by PTI.The survey also indicated a steady improvement in workforce stability, with attrition rates declining to 17.1 per cent in 2025, compared to 17.7 per cent in 2024 and 18.7 per cent in 2023. The report noted that improved retention is enabling companies to focus more on targeted skill development and long-term talent building.