Jessica O'ConnorA new survey found that employers are increasingly using inflated job titles to give the illusion of advancement – without raises, promotions, or added benefits – leaving many workers feeling misled and undervalued.
According to the Title Inflation Report from MyPerfectResume®, which surveyed 1,000 workers, 92% believed companies use job titles to fake career growth.
The findings painted a picture of widespread ‘title inflation’, where lofty labels mask stagnant pay and stalled progression.
More than one-third of respondents said they’ve received a senior-sounding title without a pay increase, while 38% said their title made their role appear more advanced than it really was.
Over a third (37%) reported feeling pressured to accept a title without negotiating compensation, and 15% accepted lower pay for a better-sounding title.
Workers said employers are using the tactic strategically – 20% to justify more responsibilities, 19% to flatter staff, and 18% to avoid pay increases.
Others cited retention and reputation as key motivators.
The impact extended beyond the workplace: 41% said inflated titles made them appear misaligned with roles when applying elsewhere, and 11% struggled to explain creative or unusual titles to recruiters.
More than half (57%) observed pay or responsibility gaps between coworkers with the same title.
Overall, 34% said they feel “title trapped,” stuck in jobs with prestigious titles but little room for growth.
“Companies are inflating titles as a low-cost retention tactic,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert at MyPerfectResume.
“But workers see through it. When job titles don’t come with more money or a real promotion, it’s not a career milestone, it’s a credibility problem.”
