Payday Pains: 81% Indians are looking for better salaries – what’s their next step?

Not happy with the way your payslip looks? You are not alone. It turns out that only 29% of employees in India are actually satisfied with their salaries.The rest? Well, they’re already preparing for the annual ritual of asking for a pay rise, with rising costs of living continuing to quietly eat into pay before the month is out, according to a survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.The report highlighted that the cost of living remains one of the most important concerns related to work globally in 2026, while in India it ranks second in terms of concern after fears of replacing jobs with technology.It found that 81% of respondents in India plan to ask their employers to increase their salaries over the next year.“Globally and in India, the proportion of those seeking to request a pay increase has risen since 2025 – with 81% of respondents in India planning to ask their employers for a pay increase in the next 12 months, higher than the 67% in 2025 and the global average for 2026 (62%),” the report said.The findings point to increasing pressures on employers as inflation and rising costs of living continue to impact household budgets across the country.According to the report, only 29% of Indian respondents said they were satisfied with their current salaries, compared to the global average of 36%.Age trends show that Millennials are the most likely to seek a pay increase, with 90% planning to ask for a raise in the next 12 months.

This compares to 77% among Generation Z and 75% among Generation X.The report also noted that salary expectations in India remain well above global levels, with about 68% of Indian respondents expecting a pay increase of more than 10%, compared to 37% globally.Among those expecting raises of more than 10%, GenShe added that compensation remains the most important factor for employees, especially among young professionals who prioritize high wages.However, the report also found that mid-career professionals give equal importance to pay and meaningful work. Overall, employers face increasing pressure to balance rising salary expectations with profitability and employee retention strategies.