US employers more conservative with salary budgets as employee base stabilizes

The report found employers are being more conservative with their salary budgets as they anticipate lower demand resulting in longer-term stability in their employee base following a period of high resignation and turnover. While around two-fifths of employers (38%) report having trouble attracting and retaining talent in 2024, this figure has dropped almost 20 percentage points from two years ago (57%). In addition, total annual payroll expenses (which include salaries, bonuses, variable pay and benefit co ...