Mercer , a business of Marsh McLennan (NYSE: MMC) and a global leader in helping clients realize their investment objectives, shape the future of work and enhance health and retirement outcomes for their people, today released the results of its October 2025 Mercer QuickPulse® US Compensation Planning Survey.

The survey of more than 1,000 US organizations revealed that on average, employers plan to hold base salary increases for merit at 3.2%, and total increases at 3.5%, which encompasses all salary increases, including for merit, promotions, cost-of-living, and other adjustments, in 2026 – same as the actual increases employers reported in 2025. READ MORE