New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) The anticipated growth in salaries in India is set to reach 9.1% by 2026, marking a slight increase from the 8.9% growth recorded in 2025, according to a report released on Tuesday. The analysis conducted by the professional services firm Aon plc indicates that salary growth will differ across various sectors, with the real estate and infrastructure industry expected to lead with an impressive 10.2% increase, closely followed by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) at 10.1%.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Technology Consulting and Services sector is projected to experience the slowest salary growth rate at 6.6%. The automotive, engineering design, and retail industries are also expected to provide slightly above-average salary increments, as highlighted in the report.

Retail employees can look forward to an average salary rise of 9.5%, while those in life sciences are anticipated to see increases of 9.4%. Additionally, global capability centers are expected to experience an average salary hike of 9.3%, whereas firms in funds and asset management are projected to see a growth of 8.5%.

The study, which surveyed over 1,400 organizations across 45 industries, revealed that employers are focusing on enhancing their technology, engineering, and customer-facing skills as they strive to attract specialized talent in a changing market landscape.

Overall, employee attrition rates fell to 16.2% in 2025, down from 17.7% in 2024 and 18.7% in 2023, reflecting a positive trend in employee retention across sectors.

This stabilization indicates more strategic hiring approaches and an increased focus on employee engagement, career growth, and workplace stability, according to the firm.

With an increasingly stable and engaged workforce along with a healthier talent ecosystem, companies are now better positioned to concentrate on targeted upskilling, invest in essential future capabilities, and develop resilient talent pipelines to foster long-term growth.

“As India’s labor codes are now in effect, organizations are navigating through one of the most significant regulatory changes in decades,” stated Amit Kumar Otwani, associate partner in Talent Solutions at Aon, India.

Otwani emphasized that the standardized definition of wages and expanded social security measures are prompting many employers to reassess and restructure their compensation strategies. Effective communication regarding these changes will be essential for maintaining workforce trust and stability, he advised.