Philippe Weiss Discusses Slower Wage Growth on WGN Radio’s Noon Business Lunch

Philippe Weiss, president of Seyfarth at Work, appeared on WGN Radio Chicago’s “Noon Business Lunch” on March 31, 2026 to discuss the cooling pace of wage growth over the last few years.

Weiss noted that average year-over-year salary increases in 2026 are sitting at around 3%, a notable decline from an average of about 5% in 2022. He attributed the shift to employers exercising greater caution as market conditions stabilize in a post-pandemic economy.

He advised that employers communicate reduced raises to their employees with transparency, emphasizing that "context is critical when it comes to a salary squeeze situation."

The full discussion can be heard at the 5:06 mark of the episode, "Noon Business Lunch 3/31/26: Market rally, grim job market, salary squeeze."