A candidate receives an offer with a higher salary and feels ready to accept. Then they learn the new health plan will cost more, their retirement match will be smaller, and they’ll have fewer paid days off. The raise is real, but it may not be as valuable as it first appeared.

Recruiters can help candidates see the full picture before they make a decision. They can also help clients understand why a competitive salary may not be enough to win someone over.

New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show how much benefits can vary. As of March 2026, 71% of private-industry workers had access to employer medical coverage, 72% had access to retirement benefits, and 49% had access to paid family and medical leave. Access to medical coverage differed sharply by work status: 87% of full-time private-industry workers had access, compared with 23% of part-time workers. These figures describe access across the workforce; they do not tell us what any particular employer’s plan is worth. Read the rest of this entry »