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06/24/2026
What Does Competitive Pay Actually Look Like in 2026?
As labor costs continue to rise and competition for skilled employees remains strong, employers are faced with an important question: What does competitive compensation actually look like today?
Without reliable benchmarking data, it can be difficult to determine whether your wages, benefits, and workforce practices are helping you attract and retain talent or putting you at a disadvantage in the marketplace.
For more than 50 years, the Wage + Benefits Survey has served as the graphic communications industry's most trusted resource for compensation and workforce benchmarking. Conducted through the Americas Printing Association Network (APAN), the survey gathers data from approximately 400 companies representing more than 15,000 employees across North America, providing participants with a comprehensive view of current industry pay and benefit practices.
The survey report includes detailed wage and salary information for more than 200 industry positions, along with comprehensive benefits data covering health insurance, paid time off, vacation policies, sick leave, overtime practices, and more. Participants can compare their organization against regional and national benchmarks, company size, metropolitan markets, and specialty industry segments.
New for 2026, the enhanced reporting platform includes expanded analytics tools that allow participants to filter data by region, state, market segment, job role, and benefit category. Users can build custom comparisons, generate reports, and access deeper workforce insights to support recruitment, retention, succession planning, and compensation strategy.
Participating GMA member companies receive complimentary access to the Wage + Benefits Report and analytics platform. Non-participating members may purchase the report for $250, while the non-member rate is $750.
If your company has not yet participated, we encourage you to contribute your data and take advantage of one of the most valuable workforce planning resources available to our industry. The survey will close on July 17.
What Does Competitive Pay Actually Look Like in 2026?
Hiring remains difficult, labor costs continue to rise, and employees have more choices than ever. The 2026 Wage + Benefits Survey provides the data needed to make informed compensation decisions while remaining competitive in today's workforce environment.
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Read MoreLeadership Development Doesn't Wait. Neither Should You.
The 2026 Emerging Leaders Academy continues to gain momentum as participants from across the industry complete the program's second session. The good news? It's not too late to join. New participants can enroll at any time and receive access to all previous content through a comprehensive recap session scheduled for December 15.
Read MoreYour Company Has a Story. Let’s Tell It.
The next issue of The Communicator is already in development, and we’re looking for news from across our membership. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, welcoming new team members, investing in equipment, supporting your community, or achieving a major accomplishment, Graphic Media Alliance wants to help share your story.
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Graphic Media Alliance is pleased to share another Short Attention Span Sales Tip from industry sales expert Bill Farquharson. In this latest installment, Bill explains why productivity isn't accidental and how a simple daily habit can dramatically improve sales performance.
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