A survey found that companies plan to boost salaries by 4.6 percent for next year, and overall salary increases in the U.S. will be the most since 2007. Inflation, coupled with a resilient labor market, is prompting businesses to bolster compensation to recruit and retain employees as well as incentives such as flexible work arrangements and boosting incentives or merit-based pay. More than half said they are hiring candidates at the higher end of salary ranges.