New study reveals top U.S. States and high-demand skills driving salaries in AI

As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries worldwide, its role in education and the workplace is becoming increasingly significant. From AI-assisted marking systems to the advent of AI-powered teacherless classrooms, the integration of AI into various sectors is accelerating.

 A new study from StoryChief.io sheds light on where AI professionals in the U.S. are most rewarded and which skills can significantly boost their earning potential—a crucial insight for educators and students preparing for careers in this rapidly evolving field.

The study, conducted by analysing 12,634 job listings from Glassdoor that mentioned artificial intelligence, provides a comprehensive overview of the AI job market in the U.S. The listings were collected up until March 8th, 2024, and included salary data. 

The researchers examined the most common keywords related to skills, education levels, and experience found across these job openings. Each keyword was then analysed to estimate its impact on salary, depending on the state in which the job was located.

According to the research, states like California, Washington, and New York offer the highest average salaries for AI specialists, with California leading at $150,110 per year. Washington follows closely with an average salary of $143,570. This data is particularly relevant as educational institutions look to align their programs with the demands of the job market, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the AI-driven economy.

The study, which analyzed over 12,000 U.S. job listings on Glassdoor, also identified specific skills that can significantly increase an AI professional's salary. For instance, proficiency in Rust programming can boost a candidate's pay by an average of $29,480, while expertise in Google’s Golang can add $21,080 to a salary. Other high-demand skills include deep learning, Python, and PyTorch, which are becoming increasingly integral to AI-related roles.

As AI continues to play a larger role in various sectors, from finance to healthcare, the ability to code in languages like Rust and Golang will be essential for future professionals. 

Experience also plays a crucial role in determining salaries in the AI field. The study found that AI professionals with over 15 years of relevant experience could see a salary increase of up to $56,790. Even those with five to ten years of experience can expect to earn nearly $20,000 more than the average. The data underscores the need for continuous professional development and lifelong learning, particularly in fast-paced fields like AI.

However, the study also reveals some surprising insights. For example, having a bachelor's degree in AI may actually result in a salary that is $8,756 below average, while a PhD offers only a modest increase of $3,951. This suggests that in the AI field, practical skills and specific technical expertise may be valued more highly than traditional educational qualifications. For educational institutions, this could mean rethinking how they structure their AI programs, potentially placing greater emphasis on practical, hands-on learning experiences.

Valeri Potchekailov, CEO of StoryChief.io, commented on the findings, saying,  “While having relevant experience is the clearest factor dictating pay, it is unfair on younger talent keen to see their abilities rewarded appropriately. We sought to identify AI-related skills that could be mastered quickly, resulting in higher pay.

“Surprisingly, even the highest level of education is currently valued about 7.5 times less than knowing how to code in Rust, for example. AI is an incredibly fast-paced environment. While higher education is always valuable, the fact that employers appreciate certain specific skills sometimes more than having a particular degree evens out the playing field for those who cannot access higher education or have limited experience. This is refreshing news and opens the door to AI enthusiasts from all walks of life.”