When pay research speaks: What HR and compensation leaders need to know now
Thu Feb 05 2026
In this episode of Comp and Coffee, Ruth Thomas sits down with Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group, and Amy Stewart, PayScale’s Manager of Content & Research, to unpack how HR and compensation leaders can turn data into strategic, defensible decisions.
We explore the latest research on HR systems, compensation trends, and the growing role of AI in pay and talent management. Stacey shares insights from the 28th annual HR Systems Survey, highlighting the tension HR leaders face between driving growth and managing costs, navigating workforce shifts, and understanding mid-market versus enterprise trends. Amy provides a sneak peek at PayScale’s 2026 Compensation Best Practices Report, including pay increase trends, “peanut butter” pay practices, and strategies for retaining top talent while controlling costs.
Key takeaways include:
Data-driven decision making: Use multiple validated data sources to interpret trends and avoid overreacting to headlines.
Strategic compensation: Confidence in pay offers and total rewards is critical, especially in uncertain markets.
Technology & AI: AI is transforming compensation strategy, enabling smarter market pricing and strategic insights—but trust and validated data remain essential.
HR as a business partner: Compensation isn’t just an HR function; it’s a strategic lever that should inform enterprise-level decisions and connect to business outcomes.
Whether you’re evaluating HR tech, managing tight budgets, or planning for AI integration, this episode provides practical guidance for leaders who want to leverage research to make smarter, more strategic decisions in 2026.
Episode resources:
Sapient Insights Group HR Systems Survey Report: https://bit.ly/4rB1zos
Payscale 2026 Salary Increase Preview Report: https://bit.ly/3NWIQ8a
Payscale Salary Budget Survey: https://bit.ly/4qYwlaD
Payscale Pay Trends and Market Pricing Research: https://bit.ly/4kj5hk4
Email: coffee@payscale.com for listener questions and suggestions
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In this episode of Comp and Coffee, Ruth Thomas sits down with Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer at Sapient Insights Group, and Amy Stewart, PayScale’s Manager of Content & Research, to unpack how HR and compensation leaders can turn data into strategic, defensible decisions. We explore the latest research on HR systems, compensation trends, and the growing role of AI in pay and talent management. Stacey shares insights from the 28th annual HR Systems Survey, highlighting the tension HR leaders face between driving growth and managing costs, navigating workforce shifts, and understanding mid-market versus enterprise trends. Amy provides a sneak peek at PayScale’s 2026 Compensation Best Practices Report, including pay increase trends, “peanut butter” pay practices, and strategies for retaining top talent while controlling costs. Key takeaways include: Data-driven decision making: Use multiple validated data sources to interpret trends and avoid overreacting to headlines. Strategic compensation: Confidence in pay offers and total rewards is critical, especially in uncertain markets. Technology & AI: AI is transforming compensation strategy, enabling smarter market pricing and strategic insights—but trust and validated data remain essential. HR as a business partner: Compensation isn’t just an HR function; it’s a strategic lever that should inform enterprise-level decisions and connect to business outcomes. Whether you’re evaluating HR tech, managing tight budgets, or planning for AI integration, this episode provides practical guidance for leaders who want to leverage research to make smarter, more strategic decisions in 2026. Episode resources: Sapient Insights Group HR Systems Survey Report: https://bit.ly/4rB1zos Payscale 2026 Salary Increase Preview Report: https://bit.ly/3NWIQ8a Payscale Salary Budget Survey: https://bit.ly/4qYwlaD Payscale Pay Trends and Market Pricing Research: https://bit.ly/4kj5hk4 Email: coffee@payscale.com for listener questions and suggestions