Non-Tech Roles with AI Skills See 28% Salary Increase, Report Says
A new report from Lightcast indicates a significant surge in demand for artificial intelligence (AI) skills within non-technical job roles, offering substantially higher salaries. The “Beyond the Buzz” report, which analyzed over 1.3 billion job postings, reveals that non-tech positions requiring AI proficiency command salaries 28 percent higher than those without, translating to an average increase of nearly $18,000 annually.
This trend is largely driven by the widespread adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot. Cole Napper, VP of research and insights at Lightcast, emphasized the growing importance of AI literacy across all organizational levels. “Companies that continue treating AI as a niche technical skill will find themselves competing for talent with organizations that have embedded AI literacy across their entire workforce,” Napper stated in a press release.
Interestingly, the research points to an evolving landscape in hiring practices across tech and non-tech sectors. While job postings for AI skills within traditional tech roles remain robust, the proportion of AI-related jobs within IT and computer science has seen a decline, dropping from 61 percent in 2019 to 49 percent in 2024. This suggests a broader integration of AI into everyday work functions, reducing the exclusivity of AI skills to traditional tech departments.
Conversely, job postings explicitly mentioning generative AI skills outside of the IT and computer science domains have experienced a remarkable 800 percent surge since 2022. Sectors demonstrating the fastest adoption of AI tools into their workflows include marketing, human resources, education, science and research, and finance. This integration also helps explain recent workforce adjustments, with many companies reducing roles in areas like content creation, operations, customer service, and HR, where generative AI capabilities are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
The findings emerge amidst ongoing rounds of layoffs, particularly in the tech sector, where AI and automation are frequently cited as contributing factors. While some companies may not explicitly attribute downsizing to AI, the impact is becoming increasingly evident. For instance, Microsoft has reportedly cut over 15,000 roles even as it concurrently increases its investment in AI initiatives. Globally, tech workers, especially in the US, have been affected by these shifts, though hiring trends in countries like India continue to show resilience.
In this evolving job market, the report underscores a clear message: acquiring AI skills can significantly enhance an employee’s relevance and career longevity. Simultaneously, AI engineers continue to see their compensation packages rise, highlighting the enduring value of specialized AI development expertise.