AI skills in high demand as employers show willingness to pay large incentives

AI skills in high demand as employers show willingness to pay large incentives
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A new report from the labor market intelligence firm Lightcast reveals that employers are increasingly willing to pay a premium for employees who possess artificial intelligence (AI) skills, even in non-technical roles, CNBC reported.

The analysis, which was based on over 1 billion job postings, shows that jobs requiring at least one AI-related skill offer salaries that are, on average, 28% higher than those that do not, which translates to approximately $18,000 more per year. For positions that require two or more AI skills, this premium rises to 43%, ZDNET corroborated.

The demand for these skills is experiencing a significant shift, with a notable increase in non-tech sectors. According to the Lightcast report, job postings mentioning generative AI skills in non-technical roles have surged by 800% since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, according to Times of India. This trend indicates that AI is no longer a niche technical skill but is becoming a core competency across a wide range of industries, including marketing, finance, and human resources.

The study also identified customer support, sales, and manufacturing as the fields with the largest salary premiums for workers with AI proficiency.

While there are over 300 different AI skills, the most frequently requested ones are proficiency in using mainstream tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, suggesting that employers are prioritizing practical application over highly specialized knowledge for many roles.