Pay surges for AI-skilled workers even as companies announce record layoffs

Jobs most exposed to artificial intelligence saw advertised wages rise 46% since 2021, according to Indeed data analysed by The Kobeissi Letter, compared with 25% growth for least-exposed roles. The Indeed Hiring Lab found that after accounting for occupation changes, AI-exposed jobs carried a 5.7% post-ChatGPT pay premium. Yet US employers announced 116,175 AI-linked job cuts through August 2026, with 54,836 cuts in 2025 alone, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The wage growth concentrates in senior and mid-level roles; entry-level positions show minimal premium. Researchers suggest AI is transforming work rather than eliminating occupations - automating routine tasks while increasing demand for workers who supervise AI systems and handle complex problems.