Top 5 Fastest Growing Technology Professions for 2026 Announced

As the technology industry fully pivots toward artificial intelligence, the most in-demand jobs in the US appear to be focused on AI engineering, consulting, and research. LinkedIn's annual '25 Fastest Growing Roles' list clearly reveals the implications of this transformation on the labor market.

1. Artificial Intelligence Engineers

According to LinkedIn data, the fastest-growing role in the US is artificial intelligence engineering. For AI, which has a wide range of applications from robotic systems to developing the complex algorithms that power generative chatbots, there is a need for engineers who can build models and establish the necessary production infrastructure. This role requires extensive technical knowledge to create AI agents, optimize the outputs of large language models, and train neural networks. Based on calculations by Coursera using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average annual income for this profession is around $145,080.

2. Artificial Intelligence Consultants and Strategists

Second on the list are consultants and strategists focused on enterprise-level AI applications. Professionals with expertise in fields like computer science and artificial intelligence, along with business acumen, help companies implement AI more efficiently and strategically. This process involves project management, long-term planning, and developing ethically responsible practices. It is noted that entry-level consultants can earn between $60,000 and $100,000, while experienced professionals can exceed $200,000 annually.

3. Data Labelers

Building and training machine learning models often requires data labelers or content analysts. This role, which LinkedIn lists in fourth place, is in high demand due to labeling processes that provide context for the articles, social media posts, customer reviews, images, and videos that companies use to train their AI models. While entry-level labelers can earn $20 per hour, those with experience in specialized content like medical data can command hourly rates between $100 and $180.

4. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Researchers

Alongside large financial investments, private sector research roles are also expanding. Institutions growing their internal teams dedicated to advancing generative AI are investing in researchers tasked with designing and testing new models, algorithms, and future applications. According to LinkedIn, the vast majority of these roles are located in tech hubs like San Francisco, New York, and Boston. While 74% of the field is represented by men, the median salary is stated to be around $130,000.

5. Data Center Technicians

Due to the energy-intensive demands of generative AI, investments in the infrastructure of globally operating data centers are increasing. According to an S&P Global report, $61 billion was invested in this area in 2025. Demand for hardware specialists tasked with monitoring, installing, and maintaining server networks is rising in parallel. These positions require physical and technical skills. According to career sites like Glassdoor, these roles, with median salaries around $68,000, are predominantly located in growing US data center hubs like Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Columbus, Ohio.

Experts point out that organizations are increasingly pairing technical AI roles with human-centric, governance, and operational positions. According to Christina Mancini, CEO of Black Girls Code, this reflects companies' shift from merely experimenting with AI to using it intentionally and responsibly. This trend is also evident in the rapidly growing interest in AI consultants and strategists.