Looking for a job? Starting salaries are going up! (2026)
If looking job starting salaries is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
- Advertisement There’s good news if you’re planning to switch jobs next year.
- Starting salaries for professional occupations are expected to increase nationwide by an average of 3.6% in 2017, according to a report from...
- Base salaries are expected to rise in 2017 Read more: 10 job interview mistakes you’ll most likely regret As you might imagine, the gains in...
There’s good news if you’re planning to switch jobs next year.
Starting salaries for professional occupations are expected to increase nationwide by an average of 3.6% in 2017, according to a report from the staffing firm Robert Half.
Base salaries are expected to rise in 2017
Read more: 10 job interview mistakes you’ll most likely regret
As you might imagine, the gains in the technology sector will be higher than average, at 3.8%.
‘With skilled professionals in high demand and short supply, more employers are willing to negotiate compensation with potential hires,’ said Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half.
The staffing firm says top candidates are receiving multiple job offers, so it’s key for hiring managers to move quickly. Candidates will lose interest if the hiring process drags on.
Here’s a breakdown of the findings by category, plus the specific jobs that are available right now!
IT professionals - 3.8% projected increase
Positions in demand:
- Data scientists
- Big data engineers
- Network security engineers
Accounting and finance - 3.7% projected increase
Positions in demand:
- Controllers
- Financial analysts
- Business analysts
- Staff and senior accountants
Legal - 3.6% projected increase
Positions in demand:
Advertisement- Litigation support/eDiscovery directors
- First-year associates at large law firms
- Experienced lawyers
- Compliance managers
Creative and marketing - 3.6% projected increase
Positions in demand:
- Web designers with front-end coding expertise
- Copywriters familiar with SEO
Administrative professionals - 3.5% projected increase
Positions in demand:
- Administrative healthcare
- Customer service/call center specialties
These numbers are based on job searches, negotiations and placements managed by Robert Half’s staffing and recruiting managers, as well as surveys of executives. You can view the full report here.
More Clark.com job resources:
- Want to make more money? Consider these 11 jobs that pay $100,000 or more
- Time for a change? Here are the 30 least stressful jobs
- 5 blue-collar jobs that pay workers over $100,000 a year
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on looking job starting salaries goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at clark.com.
SnaggyCodes Editorial Team
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