Workers with AI skills now earn 56% more than their counterparts without such expertise, according to new research that challenges predictions about artificial intelligence destroying employment opportunities.
The PwC 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, released Tuesday, analyzed nearly one billion job advertisements across six continents and found job growth in virtually every AI-exposed occupation, including roles considered highly automatable.
The consulting firm’s data shows productivity growth has nearly quadrupled in industries most exposed to AI since 2022, jumping from 7% between 2018-2022 to 27% from 2018-2024. Financial services and software publishing led these gains.
Job numbers rise despite automation fears
Occupations with high AI exposure saw 38% job growth between 2019-2024, while less exposed roles grew 65%. The research divides AI-exposed jobs into two categories: automated positions where AI can perform some tasks, and augmented roles where AI helps humans work better. Both types showed job growth across all analyzed industries.
“In contrast to worries that AI could cause sharp reductions in the number of jobs available – this year’s findings show jobs are growing in virtually every type of AI-exposed occupation, including highly automatable ones,” said Joe Atkinson, PwC’s Global Chief AI Officer.
Industries most exposed to AI recorded three times higher revenue per employee growth at 27%, compared to 9% for least exposed sectors in 2024.
Skills requirements shift rapidly
The pace of change in required skills has accelerated dramatically. Employers are changing skill requirements 66% faster in AI-exposed occupations, up from 25% the previous year.
Traditional education requirements are also shifting. The percentage of AI-augmented jobs requiring degrees dropped seven percentage points from 66% to 59% between 2019 and 2024. For automated positions, degree requirements fell nine percentage points from 53% to 44%.
“AI’s rapid advance is not just re-shaping industries, but fundamentally altering the workforce and the skills required,” said Pete Brown, PwC’s Global Workforce Leader.
Women face greater skills pressure
The research indicates AI’s impact may affect men and women differently. In every country analyzed, more women than men work in AI-exposed roles, suggesting women will face higher pressure to adapt their skills.
Job postings requiring AI skills grew 7.5% over the past year, even as total job advertisements fell 11.3%. The wage premium for AI skills doubled from 25% in the previous year to 56% in 2024.
Business transformation required
PwC recommends five actions for businesses adapting to AI: using AI for enterprise-wide transformation, treating it as a growth strategy rather than just efficiency tool, prioritizing agentic AI, developing workforce AI skills, and building trust to unlock AI’s potential.
“This research shows that the power of AI to deliver for businesses is already being realised. And we are only at the start of the transition,” said Carol Stubbings, PwC’s Global Chief Commercial Officer.
The barometer used the AI Occupational Exposure index to classify jobs, with “more exposed” representing the top 50% of positions with greater AI exposure, and “most exposed” covering the top 25%.
