Employee salaries in Thailand are projected to grow by 5% in 2025, maintaining the same pace as the previous year, according to Mercer, a global consultancy specializing in human resources and professional services. The data comes from Mercer’s Total Remuneration Survey 2024, which examined pay structures and policies across over 700 companies in the country.
The survey revealed that all participating companies plan to implement salary increases in 2025, a slight rise from the 99.8% that did so in 2024. Key factors influencing these adjustments include individual performance, company performance, salary ranges, and competitiveness within the job market.
Additionally, the report highlighted shifts in employee incentive schemes. While 91% of the surveyed firms continue to offer short-term incentives like bonuses, the proportion of companies providing long-term incentives, such as stock options, has risen to 80.7% in 2024 from 78.9% in the previous year.
Industries in Thailand exhibit varied approaches to employee remuneration. The consumer goods sector prioritizes base salaries, which make up 75% of total pay packages, while the automotive industry leads in short-term incentives, accounting for 23% of total compensation. Meanwhile, the life sciences industry remains the highest-paying sector, with annual base salaries exceeding the national average by 20%.
Despite the global trend toward flexible benefit schemes, their adoption in Thailand remains limited. Less than 25% of the companies surveyed reported offering these benefits to their employees.
Commenting on the findings, Thira Laulathaphol, career principal at Mercer’s Thailand, said the consistent salary growth reflects a commitment by organizations to invest in their workforce amid a competitive job market. Thira added that companies need a well-rounded approach to compensation, including salary adjustments and incentive programs, while addressing employees’ evolving well-being needs to attract and retain top talent.
The survey analyzed data from over 5,000 roles, providing insight into Thailand’s employment landscape for the upcoming year.
