KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (December 2025) – MidAtlantic Employers’ Association (MEA) has released the results of the regional results from the EAA 2026 National Business Trends Survey which offers insights into employer expectations, workforce priorities, and organizational strategies for the year ahead. The national survey represents insights from 916 organizations while the regional cut includes responses from 137 organizations in the Midatlantic region that MEA supports.
Economic and Business Outlook
While 24% of MidAtlantic employers anticipate economic improvement heading into 2026, there is increased caution in the region, as 45% of respondents expect the economy to decline, slightly higher than the national average of 40%. Challenges cited include inflation, competitive labor markets, and rising costs.
Yet, even with the tempered economic outlook, 66% of MidAtlantic organizations project increasing sales/revenue, aligning closely with national trends. Only 17% forecast a decrease in business results, which significantly better than the 27% experiencing a decline in 2025.
Kevin Robins, CEO of MEA, observed “Employers in our region continue to demonstrate their flexibility and resilience as they navigate a changing and uncertain set of economic, political and technology factors. It is a credit to the leaders and their teams that they continue to thrive and grow.”
Regional executives pointed to several key challenges they expect will shape the business landscape in the years ahead, including:
- Cybersecurity (49%)
- Ability to pay for benefits costs (44%)
- Political uncertainty (42%)
- Ability to pay competitive wages/salaries (40%)
- Developing future leaders (39%)
- Inflation (39%)
Hiring Plans and Recruitment Challenges
Hiring remains a priority, with 46% of regional employers planning to hire permanent staff in 2026, though 53% report greater difficulty filling positions. Top challenges include:
- Lack of qualified candidates (73%)
- Candidates demanding higher pay (61%)
- High market competition (50%)
To address these issues, employers are implementing strategies such as:
- Increasing starting salaries (56%)
- Adjusting pay ranges upward (48%)
- Leveraging staffing agencies and external recruiters (52%)
- Expanding candidate searches beyond local regions (34%)
Wage Strategies
Despite economic caution, wage growth remains a priority to hire and retain talent. 80% of MidAtlantic employers plan to increase wages in 2026, though this is slightly below the 86% reported for 2025. Employers are also increasing use of variable pay and bonus awards to attract and retain talent.
Hybrid Work Trends
Hybrid work appears to have stabilized as a standard practice rather than a fluctuating trend. 43% of MidAtlantic employers report that some staff work on a hybrid schedule, with employers finding a balance that works for their operations.
For those offering the ability to work hybrid, two to three days in the office is emerging as the dominant model, cited by 62% of respondents. While some organizations allow employees to choose their in-office days, others set predetermined schedules. This approach reflects a continued emphasis on flexibility, enabling employers to maintain productivity while supporting work-life balance.
AI Adoption
Technology investment continues to accelerate, with 53% of regional employers already using or planning to use AI for marketing content production, and 36% for recruitment and talent sourcing. Other top uses include cybersecurity/fraud management (28%) and customer service (31%), reflecting a growing emphasis on technology and operational efficiency.
For a copy of the full report, please email mea@meainfo.org. MEA Members may download a copy of the report in the Member Portal.
About MidAtlantic Employers’ Association (MEA)
MidAtlantic Employers’ Association delivers comprehensive HR-driven business solutions designed to help companies grow. Whether you need support for a single project or complex issues, you have access to seasoned professionals who are experts in their fields and dedicated to serving you well. Our collaborative, accessible, and responsive nature allows us to help you find solutions aligned with your goals. Whatever your goals are, we can help you develop better people and better outcomes so they can be achieved.
About Employer Associations of America (EAA)
EAA consists of 22 regional employer associations serving 35,000 companies and more than six million employees. Regional employer associations are dedicated to serving their members as trusted partners that help members maximize the performance of their employees and their organization through business expertise in compliance, recruitment, retention, surveys, safety, training, and organization development. EAA’s mission is to advance a national presence and to promote local success among members through unparalleled collaboration, excellence, and efficiency. To learn more about the EAA, visit www.eaahub.org.
