Salary surveys by industry and region

Understanding current salary trends is crucial for both job seekers and employers. Salary surveys offer valuable data that helps benchmark compensation, plan recruitment strategies, and negotiate offers effectively. In this article, we’ve compiled some of the best salary surveys by industry and region from trusted sources, covering various industries, functions, and geographic regions.

As always, salary data should be treated in context. Some surveys are more current than others, and compensation can move quickly depending on the sector and geography involved.

Salary surveys by region

US

Randstad provide a broad salary survey across the US market
Payscale provides useful information on salaries in San Francisco

UK

Robert Walters 2019 salary survey has in depth data for a variety of roles across the United Kingdom

Europe

Talent Salary Guide has detailed data on salaries in Berlin across multiple roles
Paylab has information on salaries in France in the technology industry
A salary survey for HR leaders in Europe

Middle East

Charterhouse provide detailed information on salaries in Dubai

Salary surveys by function or sector

Glassdoor provide a useful search tool where you can search for salaries across different functions
Page Executive offer a salary survey covering banking and asset management roles
FD Recruit provide a salary survey for CFOs in the UK
Marketing Week offer a salary survey for CMOs
Neon River have a salary survey covering CTO and Head of Product Management salaries in Europe

How to make the most of salary surveys

Benchmark your compensation: Use these surveys to compare your salary with industry standards to ensure you’re paid fairly.
Prepare for negotiations: Back your salary requests with data to strengthen your position during job offer discussions.
Recruit strategically: Employers can use these insights to design competitive packages that attract top talent.
Consider regional differences: Salaries vary significantly by location, so always look for localized data when possible.
Track market trends: Regularly check salary surveys to stay updated with evolving compensation practices.

Salary surveys by industry and region: key insights for employers

Tech roles remain high in demand with salaries consistently above average, especially in leadership positions.
Remote work impacts compensation, with some companies adjusting salaries based on employee location.
Diversity and inclusion efforts are influencing pay equity policies across many industries.
Variable compensation such as bonuses and stock options play an increasingly important role.

What salary surveys often miss

Salary surveys are useful, but they have limits. They often lag the market, may rely on self-reported data, and do not always reflect variables such as equity, bonuses, carried interest, or the strategic value of a particular hire. Senior roles can also be especially difficult to benchmark, because compensation often depends heavily on company stage, ownership structure, and the scarcity of the candidate profile.

For that reason, salary surveys are usually best used as reference points rather than as definitive answers. They are most helpful when combined with market conversations, recruiter input, and a clear understanding of the specific role and location involved.

If you have a salary survey you would recommend adding to this list, please contact editor@betterheadhunting.com