Skills over salary: Robert Half says upskilling has become the new workplace currency

New research from international recruitment firm Robert Half has revealed a major shift in employee priorities as skills increasingly replace salary as the defining measure of value in the workplace.

The firm’s 2026 UK Salary Guide highlights that nearly seven in ten professionals would now forgo a pay rise in exchange for structured learning, certification or digital upskilling opportunities.

The findings signal a move away from short-term financial gain towards long-term career capability, with employees placing greater emphasis on growth and employability.

While pay remains a consideration, only 3% of professionals surveyed said salary was irreplaceable. Most respondents said they see higher value in roles that provide access to AI training, data literacy, and cross-functional leadership development.

Employers are responding to this trend, with 32% reporting they are increasing pay only for roles that combine digital fluency with sector expertise.

Matt Weston, senior managing director UK and Ireland at Robert Half, said: “The market is now pricing in capability, not tenure. Professionals fluent in data analytics and business intelligence, AI, project leadership, financial strategy and compliance are at the top of employers’ wish lists and salary bands. What distinguishes these skills is their transferable impact. They create clarity, speed and resilience, attributes every board values in uncertain conditions.

“Competitive pay still matters, but the best offers now go to those who can drive performance through insight and innovation. In today’s market, skills aren’t just valuable, they are what define future growth. For employers, this shift means rethinking talent strategy.

“Developing skills is now as vital as hiring them. Training, leadership mobility and technology literacy are the levers through which firms will attract and retain top performers.

“For employees, it signals an opportunity to view career development as an investment rather than a trade-off. In the modern professional economy, skills have become the most consistent source of value.”

Across professional services, the skills commanding salary premiums include data analytics, generative AI, project management, financial strategy and compliance. Robert Half said the findings underline the growing importance of capability over experience, with employers and professionals alike viewing skill development as essential to long-term success.