Talent Trends 2025
Gain a competitive hiring advantage by learning what top talent wants.
2025 Salary Guides: Your essential resource to attract top talent
Stay ahead of the curve with data-driven insights from our 2025 Salary Guides
The competition for top talent in the U.S. job market is heating up. As candidates become more discerning and economic uncertainty endures, businesses must offer compelling compensation packages to attract and retain the best talent. That’s where our 2025 Salary Guides can prove invaluable as you look to hire over the next 12 months.
Inside, you’ll find the latest average U.S. salary data, which we gathered after analyzing hundreds of roles across eight sectors. You’ll also get access to data-backed hiring and workplace trends, so you can feel confident in your 2025 workforce strategy.
While our data shows that over half (54%) of U.S. workers are motivated to move for higher pay, fears around economic uncertainty are keeping many in their current roles. This hesitation is extending hiring timelines for employers, as they navigate a talent pool where candidates are increasingly demanding competitive salaries and greater flexibility.
Our 2025 Salary Guides provide you with the data-driven insights you need to navigate this complex landscape.
Key findings from our 2025 Salary Guides
Economic uncertainty: Tight economic conditions have led to widespread caution. The high cost of living pushes salaries and job security to the forefront of workers’ priorities. In fact, our research shows over a third (36%) of professionals say the most stressful part of the job search is their economic situation. Meanwhile, employers hesitate to hire for fear of choosing the wrong person and wasting their resources.
A rise in soft and specialized skills: As AI and other technological tools become more prevalent, professionals with proficiency in these areas are in high demand. This shift is reflected in our data, as over a third (37%) of organizations struggle to find candidates with the right skills. Similarly, soft skills like communication, creativity, and adaptability are increasingly sought after as teams attempt to adopt and understand AI.
A competitive talent market: The U.S. hiring market remains robust, with many businesses seeking to engage skilled workers. Our data revealed 34% of organizations struggled to hire in the past 12 months, with 40% citing matching salary expectations as the biggest hurdle.
Struggling to match salary expectations? Download our latest salary guide to benchmark your offers against the industry average:
The cost of excessive caution
This reluctance on both ends has come at a cost, as extended timelines can impact productivity and hinder business growth. The need for trust and transparency is one similarity employers and workers share and will be essential to making informed, confident decisions moving forward.
One surefire way to attract top talent is by offering competitive compensation. By offering holistic, people-driven offers, you can reduce hiring timelines and find qualified, well-suited professionals.
Why download Michael Page 2025 Salary Guides?
- Benchmark your offers: Are you offering enough to encourage people to join or stay on your team? Ensure your compensation packages are competitive by comparing them to industry averages.
- Identify talent trends: Stay informed about the latest hiring trends and workforce dynamics to optimize your talent strategy.
- Make data-driven moves: Use our insights to make informed decisions about talent acquisition and retention.
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