2026 Industry Wage & Benefit Survey
The 2026 Industry Wage & Benefit Survey, conducted by the Middle Tennessee State University Business and Economic Research Center, remains open for participation with an extended deadline of Wednesday, April 22.
This survey is a comprehensive, 40-county regional effort focused primarily on manufacturing and distribution companies across Middle Tennessee. It is supported by a broad coalition of partners, including economic development organizations, workforce boards, and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, among others.
Purpose and Value
The survey is designed to provide human resource professionals and economic development leaders with clear, data-driven insights into compensation structures across key occupations in the region.
Collected data includes information on:
- Wages and salary ranges across occupations
- Employee benefits, including healthcare and retirement
- Paid leave, training, and workforce development practices
- Turnover, absenteeism, and emerging workforce trends such as AI adoption
These insights are widely used to inform compensation strategies, support workforce planning, and strengthen regional competitiveness.
Participation and Access
Participation in the survey is required to receive the final report. The results are distributed exclusively to contributing companies and serve as a key benchmarking resource for employers across Middle Tennessee.
Organizations that have already begun the survey are encouraged to complete their submission prior to the extended deadline to ensure inclusion in the final dataset.
Survey Distribution and Access
To maintain confidentiality, survey invitations are distributed directly by the Middle Tennessee State University Business and Economic Research Center. Companies that have not received an invitation should check spam or junk folders.
If access is still needed, organizations may request a unique survey link by contacting berc@mtsu.edu.
Additional Resources
Survey participants and interested organizations may access supporting materials—including survey guidance, prior reports, and additional resources—through the official survey page: