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Important points of ZDNET
- AI is a hot trend among the 25 fastest-growing jobs in the United States.
- Top job roles include AI engineer, AI consultant, and AI/ML researcher.
- LinkedIn also revealed the best industries and cities for these jobs.
Generative AI is all the rage these days, so it’s no wonder employers are looking for professionals with the right AI skills. This could mean people in sales, marketing, and other business areas who need to work with AI data. It can also mean the developers, engineers, and others who design and configure the necessary AI tools and systems.
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A new LinkedIn report released Wednesday, “LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise in 2026: 25 Fastest-Growing Jobs in the U.S.,” looks at the hottest jobs in the United States. Although this list includes a variety of professions, there are several AI professions in the top 10. Here’s what LinkedIn revealed:
AI engineer
First place goes to AI engineer, also known as machine learning engineer. In this role, you develop and configure AI models to tackle complex tasks that require decision-making and problem-solving skills, typically human challenges.
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Common programming languages and technical skills required are LangChain, Search Augmentation Generation (RAG), and PyTorch. The most common industries that require AI engineers are Technology and Internet, IT Services and IT Consulting, and Business Consulting and Services. Most of the jobs themselves are in San Francisco, New York City, and Dallas.
Requiring an average of 3.7 years of prior experience, the roles that AI engineers typically move into are software engineer, data scientist, and full-stack engineer. For those who don’t want to be stuck in an office all the time, 26% of work is done remotely and 27% is done hybrid.
AI consultant and strategist
2nd place goes to AI consultant and strategist. Here, we help companies plan and configure AI technology to improve overall operations and achieve specific business goals. Required skills include large-scale language modeling (LLM), MLOps, and computer vision.
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Industries in need of these professionals are technology and internet, IT services and IT consulting, and business consulting and services. The most jobs are found in San Francisco, New York City, and Boston.
8.2+ years of extensive experience required. Most people in this field transition from roles such as founder, software engineer, or product manager. Flexible work is optional, with 30% of positions being remote and 33% being hybrid.
data annotator
The fourth spot is a data annotator, or content analyst. People in this field review and label data based on specific guidelines and quality checks. The goal is to ensure the accuracy of datasets used to train AI and machine learning models.
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Common skills needed include SEO (search engine optimization) copywriting, content marketing, and content creation. Industries that need data annotators include technology and the internet, staffing and recruitment, and higher education. However, according to LinkedIn, in academic settings, data annotation work is often done by research assistants and researchers.
Most jobs are located in Austin, Texas. New York City; and San Francisco. Approximately 3.5 years of experience required. Many people in this field move on from content managers, editors, and data analysts. Approximately 27% of work can be performed remotely and 29% can be performed hybridly.
AI/ML researcher
Fifth place goes to AI/ML researchers. In this job, you will design and test new AI models and algorithms with the goal of improving systems. Skills needed include PyTorch, deep learning, and computer vision, but the most common industries seeking people for this role include technology and internet, higher education, and research services.
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Most work will be done in San Francisco, New York City, and Boston. Although approximately three years of experience is required, these professionals typically transition from data scientists, software engineers, or machine learning engineers. Flexible work is available 16% remotely and 24% hybrid.
data center technician
Number 17 at the bottom of the list is data center technicians. Here, you install, maintain, and troubleshoot computer servers, storage systems, and other hardware in data centers. Some of the most common skills required include data center infrastructure management, data center operations, and data center cabling.
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Industries in need of these professionals include IT services and IT consulting, technology and the Internet, and staffing and recruitment. Most jobs are located in Washington, DC. Atlanta; and Columbus, Ohio.
Approximately 3.8 years of experience is preferred, including experience as an Information Technology Technician, Technical Support Technician, or Data Center Operations Specialist. Only 3.6% of jobs are remote and 32% are hybrid, meaning you’ll be in the office most of the time.
Beyond these five jobs, other jobs on the list can certainly touch on technology. These include strategic advisors and independent consultants at number 7, founders at number 9, venture partners at number 12, business development executives at number 16, and quantitative researchers and analysts at number 20.
To create the list, LinkedIn reviewed millions of jobs posted by LinkedIn members from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2025. The goal was to determine the growth rate for each position. To be featured on this list, a business had to have had positive growth over many years and a healthy number of posts in the past year.
“This year’s list shows continued momentum in both technical and strategic AI roles, including AI Engineer, AI Consultant, and Data Annotator,” LinkedIn said in a post. “The rise in founders and independent consultants signals a shift towards self-employment and gig work as professionals adapt to uncertainty.”
