Beyond Salary Expectations: How Companies Compete in the AI Era
Today’s workforce isn’t just chasing paychecks.
They’re looking for purpose, flexibility, and personal growth—especially in the AI era.
The term beyond salary now defines what truly attracts and retains talent: total rewards, autonomy, well-being, and alignment with a company’s values.
Why Salary Alone Isn’t Enough
In a 2025 talent report by MaxHR, only 49% of professionals ranked salary as their top priority. Instead:
78% want flexible work options
69% value learning & upskilling
62% seek mental health support
56% care deeply about a company’s mission and DEI practices
This shift means organizations must compete with more than numbers—they must compete with meaning.
Real-World Insight
One MaxHR client, a tech firm in the Middle East, restructured their EVP (employee value proposition) to offer:
A 4-day work week
AI course stipends
Personalized career tracks
Equity and profit-sharing options
The result? A 45% boost in offer acceptance and a 27% drop in cost-per-hire—in under 3 months.
Winning in 2025
To truly compete beyond salary, companies must:
Invest in wellness and mental health
Offer location and schedule freedom
Align business purpose with social impact
Use platforms like MaxHR to tailor benefits and track engagement
Compensation opens the door. Experience makes them stay.
Max HR
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