NAPERVILLE, ILL., November 20, 2025 — Content and Connectivity Human Resources (C2HR) research reveals that media industry employers are continuing their multiyear trend of increasing salaries for all worker segments.

Data published this month reveals that 2025 merit increases, which are part of company salary adjustment budgets, averaged 3.1% for broadband connectivity employers (slightly less than last year’s 3.3%). Among content creators, 2025 merit increases for employees also averaged 3.3%, a tad higher than last year’s 3.2% (See figure).

“Year after year, our members prove that steady wage growth is part of this industry’s DNA,” said Parthavi Das, executive director of C2HR. “These increases demonstrate commitment to the skilled employees who power this industry and keep it moving forward.”

This same research also projects that salary increases in 2026 will remain consistent — 3.1% for connectivity companies and 3.2% for content creators. These increases slightly lag general industry salary raises of 3.7% in 2025 and 3.6% in 2026 (projected), as reported by World at Work (See figure on page 1).

“We were pleased to discover that even in these more challenging times, we saw consistent, rather than lower budgets year over year,” said Hali Croner, president and CEO of The Croner Company, which collected the data for C2HR. “This consistency demonstrates participants’ commitment to growing the compensation of their staffs.”

Salary Structure Adjustments

In addition to merit increases, research also reveals changes to company salary structures. Adjustments to salary structures are not based on performance, rather they apply across the defined salary ranges for each position.

In 2025 adjustments were mixed for content executives. Some companies reported 3.0% structure increases and others none. On average, content developers adjusted salaries structures for exempt employees (generally midlevel managers and other salaried employees) by 3.3%; and nonexempt employees (hourly) by 3.2%.

Among connectivity providers, in 2025 respondents raised exempt employee salaries structures by 2.3% and hourly employees by 2.3%. None reported salary structure adjustments for executives.

Budgets Flat Across Industries

How do media industry merit budgets compare with other industries? “These budgets are consistent with other industry findings,” explained Croner. “As with all averages, the flat results include reduced budgets, increased budgets and flat budgets. We saw this mix across all of the industries we study.”

The Croner Company collected the data for C2HR in two interim Salary Budget Surveys that it provides complimentary to participants in the association’s Annual Compensation Surveys. For additional information or to participate in C2HR’s Compensation Surveys, please contact Laurie Krashanoff, via this form, or call her at 415.485.5521.

ABOUT C2HR
Content & Connectivity Human Resources (C2HR) is a professional association serving 4,800 members from 50 companies spanning the technology, media and entertainment sectors. C2HR provides industry-specific analytics, information and resources, as well as networking and educational opportunities. Its groundbreaking initiatives include its Annual Compensation Surveys, HR Learning Series and C2HR CON. For more information, visit www.C2HR.org.