Pay data: three months to May 2026

Various research bodies have published pay data for the three months to the end of May 2026.

• Incomes Data Research shows the median pay award across the whole economy was steady at 3.5% in the three months to May 2026 (interquartile range: 3.0% to 4.0%).
• Brightmine shows the median award at 3.2% for the three months to May, with most deals clustered between 3% and 4%. More than half of employers said that they expect to award pay awards below 3% for 2027, and just over 40% forecasted settlements of between 2% and 3%.
• LRD Payline shows the median pay increase was 3.5% in the three months to May, with the public sector at 3.8%.