Frequently asked questions
The 2026 Salary Guide provides hiring managers and job seekers with projected starting salaries and compensation trends in 7 professional fields. It can assist employers with recruitment, retention and workforce planning and help job seekers with career pathing and pay negotiation.
What is the Salary Guide From Robert Half?
What is the Salary Guide From Robert Half?
The 2026 Salary Guide provides hiring managers and job seekers with projected starting salaries and compensation trends in 7 professional fields. It can assist employers with recruitment, retention and workforce planning and help job seekers with career pathing and pay negotiation.
Employers need salary guides to set pay that’s competitive with what other companies are offering. Job seekers use them to negotiate fair compensation based on their skills and experience.
Why should I use a salary guide? Why are salary guides important?
Why should I use a salary guide? Why are salary guides important?
Employers need salary guides to set pay that’s competitive with what other companies are offering. Job seekers use them to negotiate fair compensation based on their skills and experience.
Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process so that our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on compensation data for job candidates our recruiters have matched with companies across the country, plus third-party job posting data we use for independent validation.
How accurate is the Salary Guide From Robert Half?
How accurate is the Salary Guide From Robert Half?
Our starting salary projections come from a detailed, multistep process so that our numbers accurately reflect the marketplace. They’re based on compensation data for job candidates our recruiters have matched with companies across the country, plus third-party job posting data we use for independent validation.
Can I find salaries specific to my location?
Can I find salaries specific to my location?
No. Salaries listed in the guide represent starting salaries only—pay for someone new to the role. They do not include bonuses or annual merit increases. Explore total compensation trends for information on bonuses and other incentives.
Do salaries in the Robert Half Salary Guide include bonuses or annual merit increases?
Do salaries in the Robert Half Salary Guide include bonuses or annual merit increases?
No. Salaries listed in the guide represent starting salaries only—pay for someone new to the role. They do not include bonuses or annual merit increases. Explore total compensation trends for information on bonuses and other incentives.
We partner with our data science team and our talent solutions professionals to determine market variances. They consider various factors, including local cost of living, talent supply and demand, and the concentration of high-paying industries in each metropolitan area.
How are market variances determined?
How are market variances determined?
We partner with our data science team and our talent solutions professionals to determine market variances. They consider various factors, including local cost of living, talent supply and demand, and the concentration of high-paying industries in each metropolitan area.
Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report covers hiring trends and workforce strategies across key professions. And our Labor Market Overview connects the dots between U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, job postings and hiring trends, giving you a clearer view of employment shifts.
Where can I find hiring and labor market trends in addition to the compensation trends featured in the guide?
Where can I find hiring and labor market trends in addition to the compensation trends featured in the guide?
Robert Half’s Demand for Skilled Talent report covers hiring trends and workforce strategies across key professions. And our Labor Market Overview connects the dots between U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, job postings and hiring trends, giving you a clearer view of employment shifts.
