Executive compensation in 2026 is being shaped by two opposing forces: boards face intense scrutiny on pay and inequality, yet they still operate in a global talent market where top leaders remain scarce and mobile. Surveys of compensation committees and HR leaders indicate a deliberate shift to “measured but competitive” pay strategies—moderating fixed pay growth while preserving upside through equity and performance-based incentives.

Median salary increase projections have edged down as inflation cools and labor markets soften, but equity-based awards and long-term incentives remain robust, particularly in US and global large-cap companies. The result is a compensation environment where headline cash increases look restrained while total realizable pay can still expand meaningfully if performance and markets cooperate. READ MORE