Inflation is slowing, but employees still have high expectations for their raises. Human resources consulting firms have published their forecasts for 2025, and the findings are clear: after two years of strong increases, companies are tightening the screw. Yet, with the right strategies and solid preparation, you can stand out from the game.
Key figures to know before entering into negotiations
The economic context will weigh heavily in salary discussions in 2025. According to Mercer, who surveyed more than 850 French companies, the average budget devoted to increases will reach 3%. A figure down sharply compared to previous years: 4.95% in 2023 and 4% in 2024. The LHH firm confirms this trend with a forecast of 2.8%, while PageGroup is more pessimistic by counting on a range from 1.5% to 2%.
This moderation is mainly explained by the slowdown in inflation. The IMF forecasts a rate of 1.6% for 2025, far from the 5.2% for 2022. Laurent Blanchard, managing director of PageGroup France, speaks of a “return to a form of normality” after exceptional years. But be careful: only two thirds of employees should benefit from an increase. Companies now favor individual rather than collective upgrades.
The sectors that will do well
Tech continues to dominate the ranking of increases. Cybersecurity specialists can expect increases of up to 12%. Artificial intelligence, cloud and data are generating strong demand, with 76,200 executive recruitments planned by the end of 2024.
Professions linked to climate and the environment are also experiencing good momentum. CSR managers can aim for increases of 8 to 10%. The new European CSRD directive, which came into force in January 2024, pushes companies to invest massively in these skills. Support functions are not left out: office managers saw their salaries jump by 20.5% in 2024.
On the other hand, certain sectors will have to settle for more modest increases. Industrial production expects increases of 3 to 5%. Finance professions, which had benefited from strong appreciations in recent years, will experience a slowdown.
How to maximize your chances of getting a good raise
The first golden rule is to choose your moment wisely. “This is not a discussion to be had in a hallway between two doors”warns Dany El Jallad, vice-president of Robert Half. The annual maintenance is generally the ideal time. Sophie de Heer, consultant at Mercer France, emphasizes the importance of preparation: “Individual performance remains an essential point to obtain a significant increase. »
A simple calculation can help you define your request: take the expected inflation rate (1.6% for 2025) and add one point to it. This basis of negotiation corresponds to the practice observed in most companies. But don’t stop there: find out about the salaries in your sector. Specialized sites and compensation studies are valuable sources of information.
During the interview, highlight your concrete achievements. Quantify your successes, document your increase in skills, and do not hesitate to mention the strategic projects on which you are working. If you refuse, keep calm and ask for explanations. You can also negotiate other benefits: exceptional bonus, qualifying training, or more flexibility in work organization.
- Average increases will be 3% in 2025, but will vary greatly depending on the sector
- Tech and climate professions will offer the best prospects, with increases of up to 12%.
- To succeed in your negotiation, prepare numerical arguments and remain open to alternative compensation
