Ragan Communications’ 2026 survey of nearly 500 communicators finds pay mostly unchanged year over year even as job demands and use of contractors increase; AI’s effect on workload is divided.
Most of nearly 500 communications professionals reported pay held relatively steady year over year, but inflation erodes real value.
About half of respondents believe their total compensation is below comparable roles elsewhere, while job-loss fears remain relatively low.
AI tools have had mixed effects—roughly equal shares say AI increased their workload as those who say it decreased it.
Ragan Communications surveyed nearly 500 communications professionals for its 2026 Salary & Workplace Satisfaction Survey. The findings sketch a workforce that is stable in employment terms but strained on pay and responsibilities. Salaries are generally flat when compared year over year, yet inflation and rising workloads have left many respondents feeling undercompensated.
Artificial intelligence tools show no uniform effect on workload. The survey found roughly equal shares of communicators reporting that AI has increased their workload as those who say it decreased it. That split indicates AI adoption is changing workflows in different ways across teams and roles rather than delivering a consistent productivity dividend.
Despite pay concerns, most respondents do not expect to lose their jobs in the next year. Still, dissatisfaction around pay and advancement is growing. The full report offers more granular insight into where advancement and pay gaps appear, and includes raise and bonus breakdowns that can help communicators benchmark their compensation.
Managers report difficulty retaining top performers. The full report provides context on why employees leave and how managers might retain talent, including data on promotions, bonus practices, and enforcement of in-office and hybrid policies versus written policies.
What the Full Report Contains (high level)
Practical takeaways for communicators
The survey presents a picture of an industry between stability and stagnation: employment is relatively secure, but pay and career progress are areas of concern amid growing workload demands.
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