Skills AI Can't Replace, 3.5% Pay Increases Planned for 2027: Week in Review

HR Dive · United States · Aug 10, 2026

A Resume Now analysis identifies oral comprehension, problem-solving, deductive reasoning, and communication as top skills AI cannot easily replicate, signaling continued demand for human talent in these areas. Separately, a Payscale report finds U.S. companies plan average pay increases of 3.5% for 2027, with 'peanut butter' across-the-board raises declining in favor of more targeted compensation strategies. A workforce health consultant also flagged widespread 'crisis fatigue' among employees, urging managers to better identify struggling workers. These trends carry practical implications for staffing agencies advising clients on candidate positioning, compensation benchmarking, and workforce wellness.