News

As organizations plan for 2026, salary budgets and compensation strategies remain a critical focus for HR leaders and finance teams. Recent survey data from leading consulting firms provides valuable benchmarking insights into expected salary trends across Canada, helping organizations make informed decisions about their total rewards programs. 

A More Moderate Outlook 

The data points to a period of moderation in salary increases. These projections largely reflect base salary increase budgets, excluding promotions and market adjustments. Surveys from Normandin Beaudry, Mercer, TELUS Health, and Eckler all project Canadian salary increases in the 3–3.3% range for 2026. This represents a pullback from the higher increases seen in recent years, as organizations adopt a more measured approach to compensation planning in response to economic uncertainty. 

Regional and Sectoral Differences Matter 

While the overall trend suggests moderation, it's important to recognize that these are national averages. Significant variation exists across regions and industries, driven by local labour market conditions, talent availability, and sector-specific dynamics. Organizations should consider industry-specific benchmarks and regional market data when developing their compensation strategies. 

Survey Comparison 

The following summary highlights how major Canadian salary surveys compare for 2026: 

Survey	Projected 2026 Increase
Normandin Beaudry	3.0%
TELUS Health	3.11%
Mercer	3%
Eckler	3.3%

Note: Mercer’s results are reported including zeros (i.e., organizations planning a 0% merit increase budget / merit freeze), while the other sources are reported excluding zeros.  

The consistency across surveys provides a reliable foundation for salary planning and budgeting decisions. 

Key Considerations for 2026 

Canadian salary growth for 2026 is expected to be moderate but stable. While increases won't match the peaks of recent years, this stability offers organizations an opportunity to refine their total rewards strategies with greater predictability. Staying informed about these trends remains essential for effective talent management and competitive positioning in the market. 

Questions to Consider for Your Organization 

As you finalize your 2026 compensation strategy, consider: 

• How does your planned salary increase compare to these market benchmarks? 

• Are there specific roles, departments, or locations where market pressures might require adjustments above the average? 

• Beyond base salary, what elements of your total rewards package can help you remain competitive? 

• How will you communicate salary decisions to employees in a year of more modest increases? 

Share your thoughts in the comments below - we'd love to hear how you're approaching 2026 salary planning. 

Don't forget to join us on March 5th for a discussion on this topic -- Salary Budget Planning: How Organizations Decide Where Salary Dollars Go. Register here. 

As we head into what's shaping up to be a busy 2026, I want to take a moment to look back at what an incredible year 2025 has been for the BC Total Rewards Network. 

What started as an idea about connection and community really came to life this past year. The response to our first LinkedIn post back in March was overwhelming, and by the time we brought everyone together in person in October, it was humbling to hear how much this community was needed. 

I'm incredibly grateful to our board, volunteers, speakers, members, and sponsors who saw the potential in BCTRN and helped us lay a strong foundation for what we're creating together. 

Looking ahead to 2026, we're excited to keep building on what we started - growing a community where we can truly connect, learn from each other, and lean on each other for support. We've got some great member-focused events in the works for the coming months, so keep an eye on our events page and stay in touch with us on LinkedIn. 

We are a community for total rewards professionals, by total rewards professionals. As we keep growing, we'd love to hear from you. What would you like to see more of? What topics, support, or connections would be most valuable? Share your thoughts below! 

Thank you for being part of this journey with us - here's to another year of connection and growth. 

With gratitude, 

Soumya 

BCTRN President 

It is with great excitement and gratitude that we welcome you to the BC Total Rewards Network (BCTRN) - a new professional community built for and by total rewards professionals across British Columbia.

The idea for BCTRN was born from a simple but powerful observation: while there are many excellent HR associations and national groups, there was no dedicated space where total rewards practitioners in BC could come together to learn, connect, and grow - with a local focus and a shared understanding of our unique environment. We believed there was an opportunity to create something special: a network that would blend global best practices with local insight, and elevate the total rewards profession here at home.

At BCTRN, our mission is to build a thriving, supportive community where total rewards professionals - whether they work in compensation, benefits, pensions, wellbeing, recognition, or any other related field - can share knowledge, inspire each other, and stay ahead of the trends shaping our work.

This journey is just beginning. Over the months ahead, we will be offering learning opportunities, networking events, thought leadership, and ways to get involved as contributors and volunteers. Our goal is to grow thoughtfully and collaboratively, building a network that reflects the energy, diversity, and the evolving needs of the BC total rewards community.

Getting Started with BCTRN:

We invite you to become a member today! Visit our membership page to create your profile and join our growing community. Connect with us on LinkedIn to expand your professional network, and watch for announcements about our upcoming events. For those interested in contributing expertise or volunteering, please connect with us at contact@bctrn.ca

Thank you for being one of the founding members of what we believe will become an invaluable resource for total rewards professionals across BC.

On behalf of the BCTRN Board,

Soumya Balakrishnan

President, BC Total Rewards Network