2025 pay raise and salary trends: A comprehensive guide
India's median salary is projected to rise by 9.5% in 2025, matching the actual increase recorded in 2024, according to WTW's Salary Budget Planning Report. This growth positions India at the forefront of salary increases in the Asia Pacific region, outpacing countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Thailand.
Supporting this optimistic outlook, Aon's latest survey, which included responses from 1,176 companies across over 40 industries, confirms the same 9.5% salary increase for 2025, following a 9.3% rise in 2024. The anticipated salary uptick is largely driven by strong demand for talent in sectors like engineering, manufacturing, and retail, which are expecting raises of approximately 10%. Additionally, the survey highlights a decline in attrition rates to an average of 16.9%, down from 18.7% in 2023, signalling a stabilising workforce.
This timeline story delves into the key salary trends that will shape the landscape in 2025.
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Canada, US, UK top compensation, India’s wages shrink
Despite nominal salary increases, Indian tech workers are facing a decline in real earnings due to rising inflation, according to a new report by Deel. The 3% salary growth is significantly outpaced by inflation, leading to a 2.5% year-over-year decline in real wages. The report also highlights the persistent gender pay gap in India, particularly in tech roles. Women in India, especially in engineering and data roles, continue to earn less than their male counterparts, although the gap is narrower than in other markets like the US and Canada.
India to lead APAC with 9.5% pay hike in 2025: WTW
India's median salary increase is forecasted to stay at 9.5% in 2025, mirroring 2024's actual rise, according to WTW's Salary Budget Planning Report. Leading the Asia Pacific region in salary growth, India remains ahead of peers like Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and Thailand.
While 46% of Indian companies expect similar salary budgets for 2025, 28% foresee lower budgets, driven by concerns over cost management, inflation, a possible recession, and a tighter labor market.
India to see 9.5% salary rise in 2025: Aon
Salaries in India are set to increase by 9.5% in 2025, according to Aon's latest survey, which surveyed 1,176 companies across more than 40 industries. This projected rise comes after a 9.3% increase this year, indicating a growing demand for talent, particularly in sectors like engineering, manufacturing, and retail, which expect raises of around 10%. The attrition rates have decreased to an average of 16.9%, down from 18.7% in 2023, suggesting a stabilising workforce. The second phase of the survey will provide further insights in early 2025.
India’s GCCs pay 20% more than IT firms
Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India are now offering salaries up to 20% higher than traditional IT services companies, revealed TeamLease Digital’s “Digital Skills & Salary Primer for FY 2025.” Despite this growth, the tech sector continues to grapple with a gender pay gap of 10-17%, with some roles facing disparities as high as 30%. Among the highest-paying positions across Indian cities are Product Management and Data Science roles. Additionally, there is strong demand for key tech positions such as Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, DevOps, and Data Engineering.
Japan proposes record minimum wage hike
Japan's labour ministry has suggested a 50 yen increase in the minimum wage, raising it to 1,054 yen ($6.90) per hour. This 5% rise aims to assist low-income households amid ongoing inflation. The proposal is part of a broader plan to reach a minimum wage of 1,500 yen by the mid-2030s. However, it may put pressure on smaller businesses already struggling with financial challenges.
Malaysia's tech boom creates a scramble for talent
Malaysian companies are racing to digitally transform, creating a surge in demand for tech talent, according to the latest Randstad report talent & salary trends report. Cybersecurity, cloud computing, and enterprise applications are the hardest-hit areas, with a dearth of skilled professionals. Seniority adds another layer of difficulty, with candidates boasting 4+ years of experience being especially rare. Salaries reflect the demand, with cybersecurity professionals commanding top dollar. Expertise in specific areas like GRC and penetration testing pushes salaries even higher, with Chief Information Security Officers reaching a staggering RM80,000 per month. Cloud architects and senior cloud engineers with expertise in platforms like Azure and AWS can expect lucrative salaries as well.
85% of Indian pros bullish on promotions in 2024
Indian professionals are overwhelmingly optimistic about career advancement in 2024 through upskilling, according to a new survey by Simplilearn. The survey, titled "The 2024 State of Upskilling," found a significant 85% of respondents expressing confidence in securing promotions, career transitions, or salary hikes after upskilling. A staggering 97% of respondents consider upskilling critical for career improvement. This focus on continuous learning is reflected in the 65% of respondents currently enrolled in online certification courses. Data science, artificial intelligence, project management, cloud computing, and cybersecurity emerged as the top upskilling priorities.
20% salary boost for senior jobs: Michael Page
Michael Page India Salary Guide 2024: Senior-level job transitions are expected to see salary increments averaging 20%, according to the Michael Page India Salary Guide 2024. The resurgence in hiring, particularly within traditional industries like manufacturing and operations, coupled with soaring demand for roles in data analytics, AI, and machine learning, marks a significant shift in the employment sector. The real estate domain, in particular, is witnessing a notable increase in senior-level remuneration, with hikes going up to 40%.
Ankit Agarwala, Managing Director at Michael Page India, highlighted the recalibration phase within the IT services industry, with salary hikes expected to range between 8%-10%. Anshul Lodha, Managing Director at Michael Page India, notes, “As 2024 approaches, India's job market emphasises not just salary but also flexibility, culture, and growth opportunities, signifying a mature, holistic employment landscape.”
EY predicts 9.6% salary surge for India
India Inc. is set for an average salary increase of 9.6% in 2024, similar to the actual increase in 2023, as per a report by EY. Overall attrition dropped to 18.3% in 2023 (from 21.2% in 2022) and is set to gradually decline over the next few years as companies prioritise cost management and employee well-being.
The report highlights that e-commerce is expected to have the highest salary growth in 2024, at 10.9%, followed by financial services with a projected growth of 10.1%. Professional services’ salary is set to grow by 10% in 2024, suggesting a rebound as companies invest in strategy alignment to navigate global business complexities.
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The report also highlights the growing importance of digital talent, constituting 35%-40% of the tech workforce, with premium skills like AI and Blockchain commanding a 30%-50% premium. The report also finds that 80% of the organizations emphasized the importance of “pay and benefits” and a need to move away from traditional employee benefits in the modern workforce.
Salaries in Malaysia to stay flat in 2024: Aon
In 2024, salaries in Malaysia and Singapore are expected to hold steady at 5.0% and 4.0%, respectively, while Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam anticipate increases of 6.5%, 5.5%, 4.9%, and 8.0%, respectively. Despite economic concerns, Malaysia grapples with a 16.2% attrition rate, emphasizing challenges in talent retention. Rachel Jayaprakash, Aon's Talent Solutions Market Leader in Malaysia, notes the country's insulation from global trends but foresees slower 2024 growth due to rising living costs and a depreciating ringgit.
Malaysia anticipates high pay raises in 2024: WTW
The global advisory firm, reveals that employees in sectors like Insurance, Banking, Tech, and Oil and gas received more competitive annual salaries in 2023 than those in Education, Real Estate, and Biopharma. Despite a slight dip from 5.6% to 5%, the projected salary increase for 2024 remains robust. However, factors like inflation and a tight labour market are shaping salary budgets. With voluntary turnover hitting 18.5% in 2023, talent challenges persist, urging employers to focus on holistic rewards to stay competitive, says Tan Juan Jim, Head of Work & Rewards, Southeast Asia and Malaysia, WTW.
84% Singapore firms to grant bonuses: ManpowerGroup
A recent survey by the employment agency reveals that 84% of Singaporean employers plan to award bonuses, averaging one month or more, in 2024. Despite a slight dip from the previous year's 87%, this strategic move is seen as a response to the challenges posed by the goods and services tax (GST) hike and the increasing cost of living. Among surveyed companies, 50% aim to provide bonuses averaging one month's salary, with 27% planning bonuses exceeding one month and up to 1.5 months. The majority of workers can expect salary raises between 3% and 5%, with 79% of employers planning hikes of at least 3%.
59% of SG businesses to hike pay: Robert Walters
Nearly 60% of businesses are gearing up to implement pay raises in 2024, as reported by Robert Walters. Among professionals, 50% anticipate a salary increase, while a substantial 78% are actively exploring new job opportunities for the upcoming year. The leading sectors driving the pay raise trend in 2024 are Tech and transformation, Supply Chain and procurement, Sales and marketing, and Human Resources, each showcasing an impressive 63% surge.
Job changers, particularly in talent-short fields like tech, can anticipate substantial pay raises ranging from 10% to 15%. The increment is contingent upon the scarcity of skill sets, as highlighted by the survey.
According to Monty Sujanani, Country Manager at Robert Walters Singapore, "Salaries are expected to increase based on several factors – economic growth, inflation rates, industry trends and labour market conditions,” according to Monty.
Asia expects 5.2% salary boost in 2024: Mercer
Employees across Asia can expect an average salary increase of 5.2% in 2024, according to Mercer's annual Total Remuneration Survey (TRS) 2023. The slight uptick from the consultant's 5.1% forecast for 2023 indicates steady salary growth ahead.
The TRS survey collected data from multinationals across 12 Asian markets and 15 industries. Findings reveal significant variation - India tops with projected hikes at 9.3%, while Japan lags at 2.6%.
"Transportation Equipment and Banking/Financial Services lead with expected increases of 5.5% and 5.4% respectively," said Puneet Swani, Mercer's Senior Partner and Career Business Leader for Asia, IMEA and Pacific.
Upbeat outlook for Southeast Asia: Aon
Aon's 2023 Salary Increase and Turnover Report for Southeast Asia foresees steady salary growth despite economic concerns. While Singapore and Malaysia maintain 4.0% and 5.0% salary rates, projections reveal a robust increase: 6.5% for Indonesia, 5.5% for the Philippines, 4.9% for Thailand, and 8.0% for Vietnam in 2024. Despite lower attrition rates in 2023, southeast Asia grapples with double-digit attrition, emphasising evolving talent strategies. Rahul Chawla, head of Talent Solutions at Aon, underscores the need for firms to reassess compensation strategies using advanced analytics for competitiveness.
The report notes cautious optimism in hiring trends, with 40% reporting no change and 40% implementing hiring restrictions. Despite earlier layoffs, Aon's data shows overall headcount surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with layoffs concentrated in non-core areas. Looking to 2024, the report highlights varied salary trends across industries, providing insights into the dynamic compensation landscape.
Companies anticipate a 9.8% salary hike in India: WTW
Companies in India are anticipated to offer a 9.8% salary increase in 2024, slightly lower than the 10% rise in 2023. This cautious approach reflects ongoing cost scrutiny across industries, according to a survey by Willis Tower Watson. India maintains its lead in salary increments across Asia Pacific. Projections for 2024 show Vietnam at 8%, China at 6%, the Philippines at 5.7%, and Thailand at 5%.
Rajul Mathur, Consulting Leader, Work and Rewards at WTW India, explains, "Companies are closely monitoring their cost structures. In the IT sector, we expect a noticeable correction, with projected increments reducing from around 11 to 12% in the past to 10% for 2024."
US: A radical shift in wage growth for 2024
Online job platforms predict lower growth: In 2024, a 'radically different' wage growth forecast emerges. Employers are budgeting smaller salary increases compared to this year, while online job platforms like ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and Glassdoor predict an even sharper slowdown in posted wage growth.
"By all expectations, the mood for (wage growth in) 2024 is radically different than what it was going into 2023," notes Aaron Terrazas, Glassdoor's chief economist.
Singapore eyes high-demand jobs: Morgan McKinley
According to a survey by Morgan McKinley, nearly three-quarters of Singapore employers plan to increase salary offers for high-demand roles in 2024. The study also found that 80% of organisations found hiring competitive in 2023, with almost 40% facing challenges in recruitment due to salary constraints. Despite this, 43% of Singapore businesses intend to hire in the next six months. Higher salaries remain the top reason for job changes, followed by career growth and development opportunities
US: Employers expect modest pay bumps: Mercer
A recent survey by consulting firm Mercer reveals that U.S. employers are planning more modest pay increases for the upcoming year. They intend to allocate 3.5 per cent for merit increase budgets in 2024, down from the 3.8 per cent awarded in 2023. Additionally, total salary increase budgets for nonunionized employees are projected to be 3.9 per cent, a slight decrease from 4.1 per cent in 2023.
Lauren Mason, Senior Principal for Career at Mercer, notes that while these figures show a slight decline, they still remain "well above pre-pandemic levels." This trend indicates the continued tightness in the labour market and low unemployment rates.
Singapore salaries rebounding in 2024: ECA
The real wages in Singapore, which are equal to nominal wage growth minus the rate of inflation, fell by 1.5% in 2023 and are expected to rise once again in 2024, where workers will see a 0.5% increase in real wages, according to Salary Trends Report by ECA International. In nominal terms, salaries for workers in Singapore increased 4% in 2023 and are projected to increase at the same level again in 2024. The forecast for 2024 is a return to real salary growth with an expected increase of 0.5% in real terms. “Singapore was expected to see a return to real salary growth in 2023,” explained Mark Harrison, General Manager, Asia for ECA International.
Globally, salary growth in 2024 to be 5%: ECA
Globally, nominal salary increases averaged 5.0% this year and are forecasted to remain the same in 2024. Inflation rates are expected to drop from 5.5% this year to 3.6% next year. Factoring in inflation, global salaries fell by 0.9% on average in real terms in 2023, but are projected to grow by 1.0% in real terms in 2024.
In Europe, real salary growth trails other regions. Salaries are expected to grow by 0.9%, compared to the 2.2% increase projected for employees in Asia in 2024. In the UK, real salaries fell by 2.7% this year. However, with a predicted decrease in inflation from 7.7% in 2023 to 3.7% in 2024, real salaries in the UK are forecast to rise by 1.3% next year.
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