Graphic Media Alliance

06/11/2026

The Pay Conversation You're Probably Not Having

You gave raises. You adjusted starting wages. You added a bonus. Yet something still feels off.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Across the printing and packaging industry, employers are navigating a workforce environment where compensation decisions have become increasingly challenging. Wage expectations continue to evolve, skill requirements are changing, and hiring pressures are forcing companies to rethink how they attract, retain, and reward employees.

The challenge is that compensation is no longer just about salary. Base pay, incentives, benefits, flexibility, professional development opportunities, and career growth all contribute to the overall employee experience. While most organizations utilize some combination of these tools, many are making compensation decisions one at a time rather than evaluating how the entire system works together.

Over time, this can create gaps between new hires and long-tenured employees, between visible accomplishments and steady performance, and between what leadership values and what compensation actually reinforces. These issues rarely create immediate problems, but they can impact employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational culture over the long term.

The 2026 Wage + Benefits Survey was developed to help organizations bring clarity to these decisions. More than just a wage report, the survey provides valuable benchmarking information that allows participants to compare wages, evaluate compensation structures, identify potential retention risks, and better understand how their total compensation package compares to others throughout the industry.

The organizations navigating today's workforce challenges most successfully are not necessarily the ones paying the most. They are the organizations with the clearest understanding of how compensation supports recruitment, retention, performance, and long-term growth. Better data leads to better decisions, stronger alignment, and greater confidence when discussing compensation with employees and future hires.

Download the attached Wage + Benefits Survey handout below for a deeper look at the compensation challenges facing print and packaging employers and learn how participating in the 2026 Wage + Benefits Survey can help your organization make more informed compensation decisions.

Participation in the survey is free, and all submitted information remains confidential and securely aggregated for reporting purposes. Participants who complete the survey will receive a copy of the results for no additional charge, a $250 value for members. 

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Complete the survey