AI Cuts Tech Jobs but Boosts Non-Tech Salaries by 28%

A new report by labor market intelligence firm Lightcast reveals a dual impact of artificial intelligence on the global workforce: while the technology sector faces widespread job cuts, non-technical roles requiring AI skills are commanding significantly higher salaries. The study, analyzing 1.3 billion job postings, found that non-tech positions with AI-related requirements offer an average of $18,000 more in annual pay—28% higher than similar roles without such skills [1]. This divergence highlights a fundamental shift in labor market dynamics as AI adoption expands beyond its origins in Silicon Valley.

The technology sector, once the epicenter of AI innovation, is now experiencing significant workforce contractions. Companies are prioritizing automation in software engineering, IT support, and administrative functions, with layoffs reaching 80,000 in some estimates. Microsoft, for instance, has announced 15,000 job cuts alongside an $80 billion investment in AI infrastructure. The Lightcast report notes that AI-related job postings within IT and computer science have declined from 61% in 2019 to 49% in 2024, signaling a contraction in traditional tech roles as automation assumes more responsibilities [1].

Conversely, AI skills are proliferating across industries such as marketing, finance, education, and customer service. Non-technical sectors now account for over half of all AI-related job postings, a stark contrast to previous years when AI was largely confined to tech domains. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot have driven an 800% surge in job postings for these skills since 2022. Roles in customer support, sales, and manufacturing are particularly affected, with employers offering substantial pay increases to candidates proficient in AI technologies.

The study emphasizes that AI proficiency is becoming a critical asset for workers outside the tech sector. Possessing two or more AI skills correlates with a 43% premium on advertised salaries, according to Lightcast’s 2025 Artificial Intelligence Index Report. In 2024, over 66,000 job postings specifically cited generative AI as a required skill—a fourfold increase from the prior year. Large language modeling, ChatGPT expertise, and prompt engineering are among the fastest-growing skill categories.

Employers are increasingly seeking a hybrid skillset that combines technical AI knowledge with soft skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving. These competencies are now listed as the top ten requested skills in AI-focused job postings, alongside foundational technical training. Christina Inge of Thoughtlight, an AI marketing service, notes that workers leveraging AI tools—such as sales professionals using AI for targeted client interactions—can significantly enhance their value to employers. Similarly, customer service roles require fluency in interpreting AI outputs and troubleshooting system errors, skills that remain difficult to automate entirely [1].

The economic implications of this shift are profound. While tech workers in highly automatable roles face displacement, millions of non-technical employees are gaining new career opportunities or wage increases. Cole Napper of Lightcast highlights the “cost to complacency,” warning that those who fail to adapt to AI-driven workflows risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive job market. The report also cautions that the salary premium for AI skills may vary across income levels, with higher-paying tech roles potentially phasing out while lower-paying positions see modest gains [1].

For organizations, the challenge lies in embedding AI fluency across departments rather than treating it as an isolated technical specialty. Companies are investing in upskilling marketing teams, HR departments, and finance analysts to build a workforce capable of integrating AI tools into core business functions. As Napper observes, the pace of AI-related job postings has accelerated dramatically over recent years, with no signs of slowing down. The ability to combine AI capabilities with human judgment and creativity is now a key differentiator for both employers and employees in the evolving labor market [1].

Source: [1] [title:AI is driving mass layoffs in tech, but it’s boosting salaries by $18,000 a year everywhere else, study says] [url:https://fortune.com/2025/07/27/artificial-intelligence-skills-18000-salaries-28-percent/]