Technology workers in the Philippines reported the highest level of pay satisfaction across industries, according to Jobstreet by SEEK’s 2026 Salary Pulse Report.
The report found that 54% of technology workers feel well paid, followed by construction workers at 50%. Nearly half of the employees in these sectors received salary increases over the past 12 months, helping lift their satisfaction with their earnings.
The findings show how salary increases can help technology companies keep skilled employees. Across the Philippine workforce, employees who are happy with their pay are more than 2.2 times as likely to feel motivated and willing to put in extra effort. Those unhappy with their salaries are 2.9 times more likely to actively search for another job.
However, the report also found a difference between receiving fair pay and being happy with it. While 80% of Filipino workers believe they are fairly or well paid, only 59% are happy with their salaries. About 45% said their earnings remain below what they need to cover their cost of living.
Among employees who described their pay as fair or “about right,” only 44% were satisfied with the amount. This suggests workers also consider their workload, contributions, lifestyle, and financial needs when judging their salaries.
“The gap between fair pay and salary satisfaction shows that compensation is only one part of the employee experience,” said Dannah Majarocon, managing director of Jobstreet by SEEK in the Philippines. “Employers need to look beyond salary benchmarks and pair competitive pay with meaningful recognition, clear career pathways, and open conversations about growth to build engaged, future-ready teams.”
Millennials appeared to face the greatest financial pressure. Their salary happiness score stood at 54%, compared with 61% for Gen Z workers and 60% for Gen X. Millennials were also the most willing to pursue side jobs to close the gap between their earnings and expenses.
The report was based on a February 2026 survey of more than 1,000 employed respondents in the Philippines.