● “Wait-and-see workforce": 45% of HR professionals are job hunting, but a third of hiring managers struggle to fill positions, both waiting for the perfect match.● Michael Page launches Salary Guides to break the tension and help businesses attract talent with competitive pay and benefits.● The guides reveal in-demand HR roles, driven by rising AI usage and evolving employee expectations.● But, 66% of HR professionals would turn down promotions that compromise their wellbeing, meaning businesses should consider holistic talent attraction strategies.1 October 2025, London: Michael Page has released its 2026 Salary Guides, offering insights into key trends in the UK hiring market, the most in-demand roles, and the priorities HR professionals are seeking in their next positions. The report analyses data across thousands of placements and conversations with hiring managers and professionals in 18 guides across 15 sectors, highlighting recruitment demand and key trends.The data shows that nearly half (45%) of UK HR professionals are actively seeking new roles, while 31% of hiring managers are struggling to fill critical positions. This is being driven by candidates holding out for the perfect role, while businesses, facing tighter budgets and the risk of costly mis-hires, are also waiting for the ideal candidate—creating a "wait-and-see workforce". To break the tension, Michael Page is releasing its latest Salary Guides, offering the insights businesses need to navigate current hiring challenges and plan for 2026. How the demand for HR professionals is changing As UK businesses navigate economic shifts, changing workplace dynamics, and the increasing integration of AI, HR professionals have been essential in adapting to these changes. These challenges have adjusted the demand for HR talent, with the latest data from Michael Page illustrating a growing interest in specialised roles. For example, roles like Total Reward Manager and L&D Manager are gaining traction, fuelled by employees' growing expectations for comprehensive workplace offerings beyond salary and the rising demand for upskilling opportunities in the age of AI. This represents a shift from last year’s Salary Guides report, where leadership-focused and generalist roles, like HR Manager and People Director, drove demand.However, core HR roles, including HR Business Partner, HR Advisor, and Head of People, remain in demand as employers balance the need for specialised expertise with essential HR competencies. The regional hotspots for hiring HR talent include London, the Midlands, and the South-West and Wales. Most in-demand HR roles:● HR Business Partner● Total Reward Manager● HR Advisor● Head of People● L&D ManagerMost in-demand HR skills:● Change Management ● Employee Relations● HR Data & Analytics● Leadership Learning & Development ● Total Reward StrategySalary is just one piece of the puzzle As businesses strive to attract top HR talent, Michael Page reveals what professionals truly want. A significant 93% of HR professionals rate work-life balance as their top priority, and two-thirds would consider turning down a promotion if it compromised their wellbeing. In comparison, only 33% say salary is the top reason for looking for a new opportunity. The guide highlights a clear opportunity for businesses and leadership to revisit their hiring strategies. It provides salary benchmarks for various HR roles across the UK, along with insights into what HR candidates today are seeking, encouraging businesses to consider holistic compensation packages.Sophie Gorvett, Operating Director at Michael Page HR, said: “In today’s market, HR recruitment continues to be shaped by a considered approach to permanent headcount decisions and a rise in interim roles. Amidst a ‘wait-and-see workforce’, where hiring managers are becoming more strategic and candidates are holding out for roles that truly tick all their boxes, we continue to see creative and holistic approaches to hiring. In today’s economic climate, offering competitive salaries is key to attracting top talent and convincing them to make the leap – but this is just one piece of the puzzle.“HR professionals are now looking for greater clarity on purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Companies that look beyond salary and offer holistic packages will be the ones to secure the talent they need.”Kate Shoesmith, REC Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The story of the jobs market over the last two years has been: is now the right time to stick or twist? HR professionals know their skills are in demand but, as this data shows, many will wait for exactly the right opportunity before moving roles. That is where a first-rate recruitment process can make all the difference. After years of intense change, it is understandable that each of us will seek stability and clarity about how a new position supports our career ambitions, as well as our life outside of work. “Employers have to express that they understand that balance from the get-go in their recruitment campaigns. If you have a culture, flexible work, or inclusive approach to shout about, make sure you tell candidates about it to encourage them to take that next step.”For businesses looking to unlock further hiring insights, the Michael Page 2026 Salary Guides can be downloaded here.ENDSMethodologySalary Guides 2026Michael Page’s Salary Guides analyse thousands of placements and conversations with hiring managers and professionals across 18 specialties in the UK to generate data on sector-specific recruitment trends, popular roles, and in-demand skills. The resulting insights on UK salary and skills trends are designed to help employers shape hiring strategies for 2026. All Salary Guides ‘Market sentiment’ data, unless otherwise stated, is from an online survey conducted by PageGroup and UNLIMITED.Talent Trends 2025 is a 20-minute, quantitative online survey, a total of 49,396 global surveys were completed, including 3,265 HR professionals. Additional data on regional demand and candidate applications comes from PageGroup’s proprietary data, which includes job listings and applications, alongside data sourced from national job boards.About PageGroupPageGroup is one of the world’s best-known and most respected recruitment consultancies. We put people into jobs and build careers. We are customer-led, people-powered and insight driven. With operations in 36 countries, PageGroup provides recruitment services and career opportunities at a local, regional, and global level.PageGroup operates four key brands: Page Executive, Michael Page, Page Personnel and Page Outsourcing, supported by additional brands across the business.
