Payday pain: 81% of Indians hunting for better salary - what is their next move?

Not happy with how your salary slip looks? You’re not alone. Turns out, only 29% of employees in India are actually satisfied with their pay packets.The rest? Well, they’re already preparing for the annual ritual of asking for a hike, right as rising living costs keep quietly shrinking that salary before the month even ends, according to a survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.The report highlighted that the cost of living remains one of the top work-related concerns globally in 2026, while in India it ranks as the second biggest concern after fears of jobs being replaced by technology.It found that 81% of respondents in India are planning to ask their employers for a salary increase over the next year.The report stated, "Both globally and in India, the proportion of those seeking to ask for a pay rise has risen since 2025 - with 81% of respondents in India planning to ask their employer for a pay rise in the next 12 months, higher than the 67% in 2025 and the 2026 global average (62%)".The findings point to rising pressure on employers as inflation and higher living costs continue to affect household budgets across the country.According to the report, only 29% of Indian respondents said they were satisfied with their current pay, compared with the global average of 36%.Age-wise trends show that Millennials are the most likely to seek pay increases, with 90% planning to request a raise in the next 12 months. This compares with 77% among Gen Z and 75% among Gen X.The report also noted that salary expectations in India remain significantly higher than global levels, with around 68% of Indian respondents expecting a pay rise of more than 10%, against 37% globally.Among those expecting increases above 10%, Gen X workers recorded the highest expectations at 76%, followed by Gen Z at 60% and Millennials at 55%.It added that compensation continues to be the most important factor for employees, particularly among younger professionals who are prioritising higher take-home pay.However, the report also found that mid-career professionals are giving equal importance to pay and meaningful work. Overall, employers are facing growing pressure to balance rising salary expectations with profitability and employee retention strategies.