Generative AI is going to automate nearly 30% of hours of work across the US by 2030; 65% of organisations are regularly using generative AI, and generative AI is most commonly used in marketing, sales, and product and service development, according to a report by McKinsey.
AI is going to both displace and create jobs. Routine jobs may see a decline, but new roles in AI development like Data analyst, prompt engineering, AI product manager, AI ethics specialist, AI consultant, and AI engineer are emerging. This makes upskilling and reskilling necessary as organisations seek to equip their workforce with the skills needed to work with AI technologies.
AI-related job postings have seen significant growth; the number of job openings for AI scientists grew by 80% and for machine learning engineers by 70%, according to Bloomberg.
In this article, we will look into the top AI roles that organisations in the US demand.
| Aspect | Details |
| Generative AI Impact | – Automates nearly 30% of work hours in the US by 2030. – 65% of organizations regularly use generative AI. – Commonly applied in marketing, sales, and product/service development. |
| Job Market Shifts | – Routine jobs may decline; new AI roles are emerging. – Growth in AI job postings: AI scientists (+80%) and ML engineers (+70%) (Bloomberg). |
| Need for Upskilling | – Organizations seek to equip the workforce with AI-related skills. – Roles like data analysts, AI ethics specialists, prompt engineers, and AI consultants are gaining prominence. |
Top AI Roles in High Demand Across the US
Data Scientist
A Data scientist Gathers data from various sources like databases, web scraping and APIs, then analyses the data using statistical methods and machine learning algorithms. By using these data, Data scientist presents data insight through visualisation and reports; and create predictive models and algorithms to solve business problems.
The average salary in the USA: Entry-level positions start around $105,005 and experienced professionals earn up to $175,616 per year.
Top companies hiring data scientists: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Yahoo, Roku, Deloitte, and others.
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer creates and implements machine learning models and algorithms by collecting and cleaning data, then training the data on large data sets and evaluating their performance. A machine learning engineer works with data scientists, software engineers, and other stakeholders to integrate ML solutions into applications.
The average salary in the USA ranges from $103,693 to $251,299 per year, depending on experience, location, and the specific industry.
Top companies hiring data scientists: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, OpenAI, NVIDIA, and others.
AI Ethics Specialist
The Ethics Specialist investigates the AI system’s ethical implications, creating and implementing ethical guidelines and conducting regular reviews of AI systems to identify and mitigate potential ethical risks and educate stakeholders about responsible AI practice and ethical risks.Â
The average salary in the USA ranges from $79,000 to $189,000 depending on experience, location, and the specific industry.
Top companies hiring ethics in AI specialists: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Salesforce, Accenture, OpenAI, NVIDIA and others.
AI Consultant
An AI consultant understands the client’s business and identifies opportunities for solutions from the point of view of AI, designs AI strategy, oversees the implementation of AI solutions, Provides training to clients on AI tools and ensures AI solutions adhere to ethical standards.
The average salary in the USA: Salaries can range from $79,000 to $189,000 depending on experience, location, and the industry.
Top companies hiring AI consultants: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, IBM, Accenture, Cognizant, EY (Ernst & Young), Deloitte.
Prompt Engineer
A Prompt Engineer Crafts and optimises prompts to ensure AI systems generate accurate and relevant output; they collaborate with cross-functional teams that include data scientists and software engineers to analyse AI performance and make adjustments to improve outcomes. They work particularly with AI systems using Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Bard.
The average salary in the USA: Salaries can range from $32,500 to $95,500 per year, with some high-end positions offering up to $335,000 annually.
Top companies hiring prompt engineers: Anthropic, Copy.ai, DataAnnotation, Caterpillar, OpenAI, 3M and others.
Product Manager
Product managers In the AI industry liaise between internal teams, external partners, and other stakeholders. They define the vision and strategy for AI-driven initiatives, conduct market research to identify trends and opportunities and manage the entire product lifecycle planning and deployment strategy. They collaborate with teams including engineers, data scientists, and market professionals to ensure product success.
The average salary in the USA can range from $100,222 to $151,842 per year, depending on experience, location, and the specific industry.
Top Companies hiring Product Managers In the AI industry: Apple, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Accenture, Microsoft and others.
AI Auditor
An AI auditor assesses AI systems to check if they follow ethical, legal, and technical standards; conducts risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities; audits AI algorithms and models for compliance and accuracy; documents findings and provides actionable insights for improving AI systems.
The average salary in the USA: salaries can range from $64,855 to $152,419 per year, depending on experience, location, and the specific industry.
Top companies hiring AI auditors: Apple, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Accenture, Deloitte, and others.
Robotics Engineer
A Robotics Engineer in the AI industry designs builds and maintains robotic systems that can perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. They perform regular maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance. They build and test prototypes to refine designs.
The average salary in the USA: salaries can range from $68,512 to $206,476 per year, depending on experience, location, and the specific industry.
Top companies hiring robotics engineers: Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Amazon Robotics, NVIDIA, ABB Inc., iRobot, and others.
| Role | Key Responsibilities | Average Salary (USD) | Top Hiring Companies |
| Data Scientist | Gathers and analyzes data, creates predictive models, visualizes insights, and solves business problems. | $105,005–$175,616 | Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Yahoo, Deloitte, Roku |
| ML Engineer | Develops and implements ML models, cleans and trains data, and integrates ML into applications. | $103,693–$251,299 | Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, OpenAI, NVIDIA |
| AI Ethics Specialist | Evaluates ethical risks, implements guidelines, and educates stakeholders on responsible AI practices. | $79,000–$189,000 | Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Salesforce, Accenture, OpenAI |
| AI Consultant | Designs AI strategies, oversees implementation, trains clients on tools, and ensures ethical AI practices. | $79,000–$189,000 | Microsoft, Amazon, Google, IBM, Accenture, Cognizant, EY, Deloitte |
| Prompt Engineer | Optimizes prompts for accurate AI outputs, analyzes AI performance, and improves outcomes for LLMs like ChatGPT or Bard. | $32,500–$335,000 | Anthropic, Copy.ai, OpenAI, 3M, Caterpillar |
| Product Manager (AI) | Defines product vision, conducts market research, manages lifecycle, and collaborates with teams for AI product success. | $100,222–$151,842 | Apple, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Accenture, Microsoft |
| AI Auditor | Audits AI systems for compliance and accuracy, conducts risk assessments, and provides actionable improvement insights. | $64,855–$152,419 | Apple, Google, Meta, OpenAI, Accenture, Deloitte |
| Robotics Engineer | Designs and maintains autonomous robotic systems, builds prototypes, and ensures performance through maintenance and troubleshooting. | $68,512–$206,476 | Boston Dynamics, Tesla, Amazon Robotics, NVIDIA, ABB Inc., iRobot |
Skills Required To Get Jobs in AI Industry
The demand for skilled professionals in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry is rapidly increasing, driven by advancements in technology and the growing integration of AI across various sectors. Here are the top skills required for jobs in AI:
- Programming Languages: Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, C++, Julia, Lisp, Haskell and Java is essential.
- Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Understanding machine learning algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning, as well as deep learning techniques like neural networks, is crucial.
- Mathematics and Statistics: A strong foundation in mathematics, particularly linear algebra, calculus, and probability, is vital for grasping AI algorithms
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Skills in NLP are important as they enable the development of applications that understand and generate human language, such as chatbots.
- Soft Skills: With technical skills a job seeker in the AI industry should have Problem-Solving, Critical thinking, Creativity, Communication Skills, and Emotional intelligence skills.
The Bottom Line
As we look ahead to the future of artificial intelligence (AI) jobs in the USA, it is clear that the landscape is evolving rapidly and dramatically. The integration of advanced AI technologies across various sectors like Education, Healthcare, Automobiles, and Information technology represents a fundamental shift in how work is performed and how industries operate.
AI startups have attracted significant investment, with over $35.5 billion invested globally in the first half of 2025 alone, according to Techcrunch. As businesses increasingly adopt AI solutions to enhance productivity and innovation, professionals equipped with AI skills will be at the forefront of this transformation. The demand for roles such as machine learning engineers, AI data scientists, and AI ethics specialists will surge.
In conclusion, the future of AI jobs in the USA promises unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. By adapting to technological advancements, individuals can position themselves as leaders in this emerging field. As we move towards 2030, those who equip the power of AI will play a crucial role in shaping a more efficient, productive, and ethically responsible future of work.
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