2026 Salary Survey - Salary Benchmarking by Hunter Savage

Hunter Savage 2026 Salary Survey

Market Insight, Salary Benchmarks & Hiring Trends Across the UK & Ireland

The recruitment market across the UK and Ireland continues to evolve rapidly. Economic uncertainty, shifting candidate expectations, skills shortages and changing business priorities have all reshaped how organisations hire and how professionals assess career moves.

The Hunter Savage 2026 Salary Survey provides a clear, data led view of salary levels, hiring trends and workforce sentiment across our specialist sectors. Built from real placement data, live vacancies and direct insight from candidates and clients, this survey is designed to support better hiring, retention and career decisions in 2026.

Download the full 2026 Salary Survey here

 

What’s Inside the 2026 Salary Survey?

This year’s report goes beyond salary ranges. It captures the commercial realities shaping hiring decisions and career movement across the market.

You’ll find:

• Up to date salary benchmarks by role, level and location
• Hiring demand trends across key sectors
• Insight into candidate priorities beyond pay
• Analysis of skills shortages and emerging roles
• Practical guidance for employers planning headcount in 2026

 

Key Salary & Hiring Insights by Sector

Legal

The legal market remains highly competitive, particularly for mid level and specialist lawyers. Firms are seeing sustained demand in areas such as commercial, employment, real estate and disputes.

Key themes include:

• Continued upward pressure on salaries for experienced associates
• Increased use of flexible and hybrid working as a retention tool
• Growing movement between private practice and in?house roles

 

Engineering & Operations

Engineering and operations professionals remain among the most in demand skillsets across manufacturing, FMCG, energy and advanced engineering environments.

Key trends:

• Strong salary growth for maintenance, automation and reliability engineers
• Increased competition for leadership and continuous improvement roles
• Employers prioritising retention, progression and training pathways

 

Accountancy & Finance

Demand for qualified finance professionals remains robust, particularly for commercially focused roles that support business growth and transformation.

Key insights:

• Salary inflation at newly qualified and recently qualified levels
• Increased movement toward industry roles offering broader exposure
• Employers placing greater emphasis on commercial acumen and systems knowledge

 

HR & Talent

HR functions continue to evolve, with businesses seeking professionals who can balance operational delivery with strategic input.

Market highlights:

• Rising demand for HR Business Partners and Learning & Development specialists
• Greater focus on culture, engagement and retention strategies
• Salary growth strongest where HR supports multi?site or cross?border operations

 

Financial Services & Insurance

The financial services and insurance sectors remain resilient, with demand driven by regulation, risk management and specialist underwriting expertise.

Key observations:

• Competitive salaries for niche technical and compliance roles
• Increased hiring at senior and leadership levels
• Candidate movement driven by long?term stability and progression

 

Sales & Marketing

Commercial roles continue to play a critical role in revenue growth, with employers competing for candidates who can demonstrate tangible results.

Key themes:

• Salary packages increasingly weighted toward performance and incentives
• Demand for digital, data?led and growth?focused marketers
• Strong hiring activity in B2B and technical sales environments

 

Built Environment

The built environment sector remains active despite wider market pressures, with ongoing demand across construction, consultancy and project delivery.

Insights include:

• Salary resilience for experienced project and commercial professionals
• Increased focus on delivery capability and risk management
• Employers offering flexible working to secure scarce talent

 

Life Sciences & Manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing and life sciences continue to grow, driven by investment, innovation and regulatory requirements.

Key takeaways:

• Strong demand for quality, regulatory and operational leadership roles
• Salary growth aligned to technical expertise and compliance exposure
• Competition for experienced professionals with cross?functional experience

 

Why the 2026 Salary Survey Matters

Whether you are hiring, planning workforce budgets or considering your next career move, accurate market insight is essential. The Hunter Savage 2026 Salary Survey helps:

• Employers benchmark salaries and design competitive offers
• Leaders plan headcount and retention strategies
• Professionals understand their market value and career options

 

Download the 2026 Salary Survey Today

If you would like a tailored discussion around salary benchmarking, hiring strategy or market trends in your sector, our specialist consultants are available to advise. For more information, reach out to Grainne Mulgrew on grainne@huntersavage.com