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'Expectation gap': The Aussie workers most likely to gain a pay rise

Richard Wood
Richard Wood

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A pay rise this year is expected by eight in 10 Australian workers, according to new research, but who will receive one largely depends on age and occupation.

Economic uncertainty and continuing cost-of-living pressures are putting pay at the top of mind for employees, with many looking how they can increase their salaries.

A new study of 3000 workers across multiple job sectors, released today by online recruiter SEEK, found 84 per cent of workers expect a pay rise in the next 12 months.

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READ MORE: Inflation surges to near-three-year high

The vast majority of Aussie workers expect a salary rise this year, but not all will get one, research shows. (Photo by ROB HOMER SPECIALX 90071) AFR

But given just one in two (59 per cent) received one last year, many can expect to be left disappointed.

Based on last year's results, age and occupation impacts who walks away with a salary rise, the research shows.

The job sectors that most likely to get a pay rise were the public sector, technology and industrial.

Remaining with an employer was a major factor in clinching a salary bump, but the drivers of pay growth varied slightly by industry.

Among those who stayed in the same job and employer, company-wide pay rises were most common in the public sector (70 per cent) and retail, hospitality and sports (64 per cent).

READ MORE: The workplaces where careers are soaring despite jobs disappearing

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Many hospitality workers received company-wide pay rises over the past 12 months. Nine

Salary increases were more varied in technology (32 per cent) and professional services (45 per cent).

There were also differences among age groups in achieving rises, the research found.

Generation Z, the cohort born from 1997 to 2012, had the highest success rate of 64 per cent, reflecting early career growth.

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They were more likely to have received a pay rise through a promotion or role change over the past 12 months.

Sixty per cent of Millennial employees, (born between 1981 and 1996) were the next most successful.

GEN23, Generic, cash payments, shopping, cost of living,  wages, withdrawal, atm, armaguard, groceries, in Sydney on April 1, 2024.

Generation Z workers were the most successful in gaining a pay rise..  Dominic Lorrimer

This generation was the most proactive and most comfortable in asking for a pay rise.

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Generation X (born from 1965 to 1980) were the most reluctant age group asking for a pay rise, with 55 per cent gaining one.

Company-wide salary increases accounted for 63 per cent of them.

Employment experts at SEEK say employers who reward workers with pay rises reap benefits in the long run.

"Our research reveals that improving workers' happiness levels with their earnings has clear positive impacts for not only the individual, but also for organisations and the economy - with workers who are happy with their salary being more likely to go above and beyond, and less likely to change jobs," said the company's customer insights and research lead, Kylie Pascoe.

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