Compensation Survey Providers to Help You Stay Competitive

Salary and benefits are often a tricky topic in job interviews. However, creating a compensation and benefits strategy is crucial for the success of the business and attracting and retaining employees. 

But how can a company create a benefits strategy without accurate data?

Often companies turn to HR agencies and compensation survey providers to uncover market salaries, top in-demand benefits, and other relevant needs in the workforce. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top global and local compensation survey providers. We’ll also examine their strengths, weaknesses, and other information about each. 
 

Why use a compensation survey provider? 

Companies and HR professionals rely on salary and compensation surveys for several reasons including:

• Staying up-to-date on compensation trends: This includes keeping track of the latest compensation and benefits trends, packages, and offerings. Surveys also help HR managers and recruiters gain insights into market rates, ensuring compensation strategies remain competitive.
• Attracting and retaining talent: By offering competitive salaries, companies can attract top talent, increase employee retention, and reduce employee turnover. It also lets you understand what other companies are offering, so you can improve compensation packages.
• Avoid low salaries: Knowing current market compensation offerings helps you avoid offering low salaries that drive employees away.
• Data-driven decision making: Using reliable data helps businesses and top management make informed decisions about salaries, benefits, and perks. It can also help companies set compensation and benefits KPIs and track them efficiently.
• Benchmarking: This means comparing your compensation packages with other companies in your industry. It also involves identifying areas where you might need to adjust your offerings to stay competitive.
• Legal and compliance: Staying compliant with legal and regulatory requirements related to compensation is critical. Reviewing compensation survey providers in your local country or where you operate can help you stay informed about changes in labor laws and regulations that may impact your compensation practices.
• Strategic planning: Compensation data can inform your strategic planning and team and HR budget allocation.
• Customized insights: In the event of requesting salary surveys, you can get customized reports tailored to your specific industry and company size.

Top compensation survey providers in the Middle East 

The following are the top salary survey providers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. 

As you will see, some include global companies with a special focus on the Middle East, while others are based in and cater to the MENA.

1.WTW 

With customers spanning 140 countries from India to London to New York to the Middle East and Latin America, WTW is a global surveys company. 

WTW offers accurate compensation data which is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent in a growing and competitive job market. 

Companies using WTW’s surveys can get a better understanding of market insights, learn how to create employee rewards and recognition programs, improve employee engagement, and more. 

Why choose WTW?

• Comprehensive data: The surveys provide detailed salary data across industries, countries, and job levels, including high-level executives.
• Global methodology: Consistent job-matching methodology helps align internal pay structures with external market-pay levels.
• Industry-specific data: WTW’s surveys cover key industries like aerospace, biopharma, energy, financial services, healthcare, among others.

2.Birches Group

The Birches Group boasts an extensive global reach, offering salary survey data from over 150 countries, with a focus on developing markets. 

Their surveys are updated three times a year to provide the freshest data, and they offer custom cuts for tailored market comparisons.

Why choose the Birches Group?

• Global coverage: Surveys provide salary information from 150+ countries, making it one of the most comprehensive sources for global salary information.
• Developing markets focus: Their methodology is specifically designed for developing markets, ensuring relevant and accurate data.
• Custom cuts: Employers can create custom cuts to analyze their market position against selected peers.

3. Hays

With offices in Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, global firm Hays boasts an extensive presence in the Middle East, offering compensation reports to companies in many industries.

Its latest report is the Hays GCC Salary Guide 2025, which provides insights into recruitment market trends and salary rates for nearly 400 roles in the Gulf region. 

The report also highlights the increasing demand for skilled professionals, the competitive employment market, and the importance of maintaining a competitive advantage.

Why choose Hays?

• Comprehensive data: Their guide provides detailed insights into recruitment market trends and salary rates for nearly 400 roles in the Gulf region.
• Expert views: Their reports include expert viewpoints on 11 professions, offering valuable perspectives on employment trends.

4. Robert Half

Global recruitment agency and reports provider Robert Half is a well compensation survey provider in the United Arab Emirates. 

Their 2025 UAE Salary Guide provides starting salaries for over 100 roles across various sectors, including finance, accounting, technology, HR, and legal. It offers insights from employers and candidates on hiring trends, salary expectations, and market outlooks to help employers remain competitive and attract top talent.

Why choose Robert Half?

• Comprehensive and updated data: They offer annual guides, which include base salaries for over 100 roles across various sectors.
• Industry-specific insights: Robert Half’s reports cover many industries, helping employers and professionals make informed decisions. Their insights also include recruitment trends, salary expectations and forecasts, as well as market outlooks.

Top compensation survey providers: Global edition

The above salary survey providers offer global as well as Middle Eastern salary insights. The following companies, on the other hand, have a global focus only.

5. PayScale

One of our top compensation survey providers is PayScale, which offers companies salary data, software, and other services. PayScale helps businesses manage employee compensation and supports candidates in understanding their work in the job market. 

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, PayScale offers a range of solutions, including real-time compensation data, salary reports, and analytics tools.

Their mission is to empower both employers and employees with the strategic power of compensation, ensuring fair and competitive pay practices. 

PayScale is known for its innovative use of big data to reveal market pay trends and insights, helping businesses make informed decisions about compensation.

Why choose PayScale?

• Comprehensive data: Provides real-time, reliable compensation data from various sources.
• User-friendly: Easy-to-use platform with a variety of tools for both employers and employees.
• Industry insights: Offers valuable insights and trends in compensation practices.

6. Salary.com

Another global and popular company in the compensation and benefits survey market is Salary.com. The company offers compensation data for both employers and employees alike. 

Founded in 1999, Salary.com offers solutions such as real-time compensation data, salary reports, and analytics tools.

Why choose Salary.com?

• Real-time data: Salary.com regularly provides detailed and updated information about salaries in various industries.
• User-Friendly: The platform is easy-to-use for individuals and employers alike. 

7. Mercer

Part of Marsh McLennan, Mercer is a global consulting firm that provides trusted advice and solutions to help clients build healthier and more sustainable futures.

Founded in 1945, Mercer operates in 130 markets worldwide, offering services in human resources, financial consulting, investments, and retirement planning. Their mission is to combine economics and empathy to help people and businesses thrive.

Why choose Mercer?

• Variety of services: Unlike many companies on this list, Mercer offers a variety of services including investing solutions, retirement planning, talent strategy, HR transformation, and employee benefits strategy consulting.
• Social impact and sustainability: Mercer is dedicated to social impact and sustainability, engaging in initiatives that promote resilient communities and environmental goals.
   

8. Aon

Aon plc is a global professional services firm that provides a broad range of risk, retirement, and health solutions. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in London, Aon operates in over 120 countries, helping  clients manage risk and human capital challenges.

Why choose Aon?

• Global reach: Aon operates in 120+ countries, providing a wide range of services and salary reports to clients worldwide.

• Expertise in risk and human capital: Aon offers expertise in risk capital and human capital, helping clients make better decisions to protect and grow their businesses.

   

9. Korn Ferry

Founded in 1969, Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm that helps companies offer competitive compensation and benefits packages through detailed reports.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California and operating in over 50 countries, Korn Ferry supports its clients in designing optimal organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities. It also helps them by offering recruitment services, workforce development, among other HR services. 

However, according to reviews and reports, Korn Ferry has a minimum engagement fee of $80,000.

Why choose Korn Ferry?

• Expertise: Korn Ferry is known for its deep industry insights and global network.

• Positive reviews: Generally receives positive feedback for its services and customer support.

   

Conclusion 

When selecting a compensation survey provider, it's important to consider factors such as relevance and data accuracy. Unfortunately, many companies don’t cater to the Middle East or are too expensive for companies. 

It’s, therefore, your role as a business owner or HR manager to find relevant information about your local market and industry. 

Other important aspects to consider when choosing a salary survey provider include: reliability, data coverage, ease of use, cost, and customer support.

By making an informed decision, you can gain valuable insights and optimize your compensation strategies effectively.