Noteworthy Insights (2026 Data)

Here are a few highlights from this year's data that caught our attention.

• 📉 Salary Satisfaction Still Dipping: For the third consecutive year, the average Salary Satisfaction Score has declined, dropping from 7.04 in 2024 to 6.75 in 2026. Explore the data →

• 💰 More Raises in 2026: The trend of increasing raises continues, with 63% of respondents reporting a salary increase, up from 58% in the previous year. Explore the data →

• 🏭 Sector Spotlight: The financial (12.7%) and public (12.1%) sectors continue to be the largest employers of service design professionals, collectively accounting for nearly a quarter of all respondents. Explore the data →

• 🔀 Promotions vs. Layoffs: The past year has seen significant career shifts, with nearly 20% of professionals receiving a promotion, while 9% reported being laid off. Explore the data →

• 🏢 Design Departments Still Dominate: The trend of service design professionals reporting into a dedicated design department continues, with 23.3% of professionals situated in this structure, making it the most common organizational setup. Explore the data →