Companies are paying professionals with AI skills around 56% more than peers without them, as demand outstrips a thin talent pool.
The maths behind the premium
The shortage is acute. An estimated 1.6 million AI roles are open globally against only about 518,000 qualified candidates, and more than 90% of large enterprises are projected to face critical skills shortages this year.
Where the premium is heading
Employers expect 39% of workers core skills to change by 2030, with AI and big data the fastest growing skills, ahead of cybersecurity and broader technological literacy. As supply slowly catches up, the premium may narrow, but the floor is rising for anyone who can credibly work alongside AI.
