The State of Pay: 7 Compensation Trends Redefining the Workplace

Compensation strategy is outpacing infrastructure in 2026.
With pay transparency laws now covering 40% of the US workforce, pressure is mounting to demonstrate fairness and empower managers to make defensible pay decisions. Yet, many organizations are struggling with outdated systems that simply can't support modern compensation demands.
We surveyed 178 US compensation, HR, and finance leaders to identify the trends reshaping compensation strategy. Download our free report to learn about how:
- Cross-functional buy-in is the new standard: 93% say compensation software decisions now involve the C-suite, IT, and finance, linking pay directly to broader business outcomes.
- Spreadsheets are failing: 34% cite manual, spreadsheet-heavy systems as a top pain point that limits their strategy.
- AI readiness depends on governance: 56% see strong potential for AI automation, but 52% require strict data privacy safeguards before adopting it.
Inside, you'll also get expert insights from beqom leadership, including:
- Why pay decisions can no longer remain a back-office function (Vismay Gada, Chief Evangelist).
- The two critical questions every team must ask before adopting AI (Clare Bonham, Chief Product Officer).
- 3 concrete steps you can take right now to close the gap between your strategy and your infrastructure.
Fill out the form to access the full report.
Some of our latest resources
Explore beqom's latest resources, including expert eGuides, exclusive webinars, and so much more.

Download beqom’s EU Pay Transparency Directive Compliance Checklist
The EU Pay Transparency Directive deadline has passed. Find out where your organization stands, and what to fix now.

From Policy to Practice: What’s Happening Since the EU Directive Went Live, With beqom & Mercer
The EU Pay Transparency Directive deadline has passed. Watch beqom and Mercer unpack what's happening across Europe, and what employers should do next.

From Spreadsheets to Strategy: Front-Line Secrets to Implementing a Comp Solution, With beqom & T. Rowe Price
When you scale past spreadsheets, the biggest hurdle isn't the technology—it's the transition. Join comp experts from beqom and T. Rowe Price for a front-line look at how to move from chaotic manual tracking to a unified, strategic comp solution. Learn the exact blueprints for optimization, user acceptance testing, and change management that turn power users into platform advocates.
Some of our latest articles
Broaden your understanding with our curated selection of recent articles. Explore best practices, gain insights from industry thought leaders, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends to help drive success in your field.

Workers' Councils: How beqom Helps Secure Employee Rights in Pay Equity
Discover how beqom helps HR teams and workers' councils run objective joint pay assessments, close gender pay gaps, and comply with the EU Directive.

EU Pay Transparency Directive Transposition Activity by Nation
2026 is not that far away, and EU member states are working to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive into national law. We’ve created this page to keep track of each member state’s progress.

A Complete Guide to Using Compa-Ratio to Set Fair and Competitive Compensation
Unlock the power of compa-ratio to ensure fair and competitive pay.
