CSAE and The Portage Group Release 2026 Benefits & Compensation Report
CSAE, in partnership with The Portage Group, has released the 2026 CSAE Benefits & Compensation Report, the 43rd edition of its annual benchmarking study examining compensation and benefits practices across Canadian associations and not-for-profit organizations.
The report provides timely insights into salary trends, benefits offerings, and total compensation across a wide range of roles, organization types, and regions. Designed to support strategic decision-making, the findings help association leaders, HR professionals, and boards navigate compensation planning in an evolving labour and economic environment.
Key findings from the 2026 report
The 2026 findings point to continued compensation growth across the sector, with increases varying by role, organizational size, and region. Senior leadership roles generally experienced stronger movement than non-management positions, reflecting shifting labour market pressures and organizational priorities.
The report also confirms that total compensation extends well beyond base salary. Benefits, retirement programs, and professional development continue to play an important role in overall rewards strategies, particularly as associations compete for talent and focus on employee retention.
Organizational characteristics remain a significant factor in compensation outcomes. Differences in compensation levels are influenced by factors such as organizational size, revenue, geographic location, and governance structure, underscoring the importance of benchmarking against comparable organizations.
Equity and transparency continue to be important considerations. The findings suggest that compensation disparities persist at certain levels, reinforcing the need for thoughtful, data-informed review processes and strong governance oversight.
The report provides further insight to support informed compensation discussions.
Supporting informed leadership decisions
Based on data submitted by associations across Canada, the 2026 CSAE Benefits & Compensation Report provides leaders with credible benchmarks to support compensation reviews, workforce planning, budgeting, and board discussions.
Developed in collaboration with The Portage Group, the report reflects deep sector expertise and a long-standing commitment to advancing best practices within the association community.
The 2026 CSAE Benefits & Compensation Report is now available through the CSAE Shop and is intended for association CEOs, senior leaders, HR professionals, and boards seeking trusted insights to guide compensation and benefits decisions.
Explore the full findings to understand how your organization compares.
