Full Breakdown
The Rise of AI-Related Jobs in the U.S. Labor Market
1/7/2026, 8:27:09 PM
Overview of Fastest-Growing Occupations
LinkedIn's annual "Jobs on the Rise" list has identified the 25 fastest-growing occupations in the United States, reflecting trends from January 2023 to July 2025. The report highlights a significant presence of artificial intelligence (AI) roles, with three of the top five positions dedicated to AI, indicating a robust demand for both technical and strategic expertise in this field. The list also reveals a shift in job-seeking behavior, with many individuals moving towards freelance and consulting roles amid economic uncertainty.
Top Growing Job Roles
The top ten fastest-growing jobs according to LinkedIn are as follows:
1. AI Engineers
- Skills: LangChain, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), PyTorch
- Locations: San Francisco, New York City, Dallas
- Previous Roles: Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Full Stack Engineer
2. AI Consultants and Strategists
- Skills: Large Language Models (LLM), MLOps, Computer Vision
- Locations: San Francisco, New York City, Boston
- Previous Roles: Founder, Software Engineer, Product Manager
3. New Home Sales Specialists
- Skills: Residential Real Estate, Real Estate Transactions, Buyer Representation
- Locations: Houston, Dallas, Orlando
- Previous Roles: Real Estate Agent, Sales Manager, Property Advisor
4. Data Annotators
- Skills: SEO Copywriting, Content Marketing, Content Production
- Locations: Austin, New York City, San Francisco
- Previous Roles: Content Manager, Editor, Data Analyst
5. AI/ML Researchers
- Skills: PyTorch, Deep Learning, Computer Vision
- Previous Roles: Data Scientist, Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer
6. Healthcare Reimbursement Specialists
- Skills: Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement, Prior Authorization, Managed Care
- Locations: New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles
- Previous Roles: Account Manager, Medical Biller, Sales Specialist
7. Strategic Advisors and Independent Consultants
- Skills: Executive Advisory, Go-to-Market Strategy, Strategic Partnerships
- Locations: New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C.
- Previous Roles: Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Chief Operating Officer
8. Advertising Sales Specialists
- Skills: Media Planning, Social Media Optimization, Paid Social Media Advertising
- Locations: New York City, Detroit, Atlanta
- Previous Roles: Account Executive, Sales Director, Advertising Manager
9. Founders
- Skills: Start-up Leadership, Brand Development, Software Development
- Locations: New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles
- Previous Roles: Software Engineer, Product Manager, Managing Director
10. Sales Executives
- Skills: C-Level Management, International Sales, Sales Strategy
- Locations: Los Angeles, New York City, Dallas
- Previous Roles: Vice President of Global Sales, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Business Development
Shifts in Job-Seeking Behavior
The report indicates a notable trend among job seekers, with 56% expressing intentions to seek new employment in 2026. However, many feel unprepared, citing competition and skills gaps as significant barriers. The number of applicants per job has more than doubled since spring 2022, while hiring remains 23% below pre-pandemic levels. This challenging environment has led many, particularly younger professionals, to pivot from traditional full-time roles to freelance, contract, or consulting opportunities. The title "founder" has surged in popularity on LinkedIn, reflecting a growing interest in entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
Official Statements & Responses
LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher noted that the rise in freelance and consulting roles is a response to economic uncertainty, stating, "Full-time roles are still important, but contract work, advisory roles, and portfolio careers are fast becoming a strategic way to build experience." Laura Lorenzetti, a senior director at LinkedIn, emphasized the need for roles that facilitate the integration of AI into workplaces, highlighting that not all AI-related jobs are technical.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the data indicates a strong demand for AI-related positions, there is a discrepancy regarding the overall job market's health. Some reports suggest that finding a job has become increasingly difficult, with many workers feeling unqualified for available roles. This highlights a gap in the labor market where demand for specific skills does not align with the qualifications of job seekers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The most successful pivots aren't about starting from scratch — they're about translating existing skills into new contexts,” — Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn Career Expert
- “People are seeing that as a way to own their career and own their next step,” — Laura Lorenzetti, Senior Director at LinkedIn
