Fastest-Growing AI Jobs in the US, According to LinkedIn
▼ Summary
– AI engineer is the fastest-growing US job, focusing on developing AI models for complex tasks, with key skills including LangChain and PyTorch.
– AI consultant and strategist ranks second, helping companies implement AI technologies, requiring extensive experience and skills like LLM and MLOps.
– Data annotator, in fourth place, reviews and labels data to ensure accuracy for training AI models, often requiring SEO and content marketing skills.
– AI/ML researcher holds the fifth spot, designing and testing new AI models and algorithms, with common industries being Technology and Higher Education.
– The LinkedIn report identifies these roles among the 25 fastest-growing, driven by employer demand for AI skills across both technical and strategic positions.
The demand for artificial intelligence expertise continues to reshape the American job market, with several AI-centric roles now ranking among the country’s most rapidly expanding career paths. A recent analysis of hiring trends reveals that employers across sectors are aggressively seeking talent capable of either building AI systems or strategically applying them to business challenges. This surge reflects the widespread integration of generative AI and machine learning into core business functions, creating opportunities not just for technical architects but also for strategists and specialists who ensure these systems function accurately and effectively.
Topping the list is the role of AI Engineer, also frequently called a Machine Learning Engineer. These professionals are responsible for constructing and deploying the sophisticated models that handle complex tasks traditionally requiring human judgment. Mastery of specific technical frameworks is crucial, with skills in LangChain, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and PyTorch being highly sought after. The primary industries hiring for this position are Technology and Internet, IT Services and IT Consulting, and Business Consulting and Services, with major hubs in San Francisco, New York City, and Dallas. Candidates typically transition from roles like software engineer or data scientist, bringing an average of 3.7 years of prior experience. The role offers notable flexibility, with over a quarter of positions being fully remote.
Following closely is the position of AI Consultant and Strategist, which focuses on guiding companies to implement AI technologies that streamline operations and meet strategic objectives. This role demands a blend of high-level technical understanding and business acumen, with proficiency in Large Language Models (LLMs), MLOps, and Computer Vision being key differentiators. These consultants are most needed in the same core tech and consulting industries and are concentrated in San Francisco, New York City, and Boston. It is a senior-track position, requiring a significant average of 8.2 years of experience, and professionals often move into it from backgrounds as business founders or product managers. Work arrangement data shows a strong trend toward flexible models.
The critical, though less heralded, role of Data Annotator secures the fourth spot. These individuals, sometimes titled Content Analysts, perform the essential groundwork of reviewing, labeling, and curating data. Their work ensures the quality and accuracy of the datasets that train machine learning algorithms. While the role involves meticulous attention to detail, the skill set often includes SEO copywriting, content marketing, and content production. Beyond the expected Technology and Internet sector, significant demand comes from Staffing and Recruiting and Higher Education. Austin, New York City, and San Francisco are the leading locations for these jobs, which require roughly 3.5 years of experience and commonly attract former content managers and editors.
Ranking fifth is the AI/ML Researcher, a role dedicated to innovation and advancement within the field itself. Researchers design novel algorithms and conduct experiments to push the boundaries of what AI systems can achieve. Expertise in PyTorch, Deep Learning, and Computer Vision forms the foundation for this work, which finds a home in Technology and Internet, Higher Education, and Research Services. The geographic centers for research mirror other top AI jobs, with San Francisco, New York City, and Boston leading the way. These positions generally ask for about three years of experience and are a common next step for data scientists and machine learning engineers.
Further down the list, at number seventeen, is the Data Center Technician. This role supports the physical infrastructure that powers AI, involving the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of servers and storage hardware within data facilities. Required skills are hands-on, focusing on data center infrastructure management, operations, and cabling. Demand is strongest within IT Services and IT Consulting, Technology and Internet, and Staffing and Recruiting, with Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Columbus, Ohio emerging as key job markets. Unlike the more flexible AI development roles, this position is largely onsite, with a very small percentage of remote opportunities.
The list also includes several adjacent roles where AI knowledge is increasingly valuable, such as Strategic Advisor, Business Founder, and Quantitative Researcher. The data underscores a market with robust growth in both the technical creation of AI and its strategic business application, alongside a noticeable shift toward consulting and entrepreneurial paths as professionals navigate the evolving economic landscape.
(Source: ZDNET)
