Artificial intelligence is reshaping hiring, but “AI job” is still too broad to describe a single career path. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks established occupations rather than a standalone AI-jobs category, and its July 16, 2026 analysis shows where demand connected to AI and information technology is expected to grow through 2034.
Computer and mathematical occupations are projected to grow 10.1% from 2024 to 2034, compared with 3.1% for all occupations. Data scientists lead the AI-related occupations highlighted by BLS at 33.5% projected growth, followed by information security analysts at 28.5%, actuaries at 21.8%, operations research analysts at 21.5%, computer and information research scientists at 19.7%, and software developers at 15.8%.
Those projections show which occupations are expanding, but not which programming languages, frameworks, or cloud platforms a particular employer will require. BLS does, however, publish occupational skills data covering 17 broad areas, including computers and information technology, mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, adaptability, and communication.
Why AI job titles matter
An “AI job” can mean very different work. A software developer building an AI-powered application, a data scientist developing predictive models, and an information security analyst protecting systems that use AI may all work with the technology while following different education and training paths.
That makes the occupation itself a better starting point for career research than the AI label alone. Computer and information technology occupations also pay well above the overall labor market: the group had a median annual wage of $105,990 in May 2024, compared with $49,500 for all occupations. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects about 317,700 openings a year across computer and IT occupations from 2024 to 2034.
When searching job boards, start with specific titles. Current federal projections point to several fast-growing options.
AI-related careers growing fastest
Data scientists. Employment is projected to grow 33.5% from 2024 to 2034, adding about 82,500 jobs. BLS expects rising demand for AI solutions and data analysis to help drive growth across computer and mathematical occupations, while organizations also need data scientists to turn growing volumes of information into decisions and new products.
Data scientists had a median annual wage of $112,590 in 2024 and typically need a bachelor’s degree, although some employers require or prefer graduate education. In BLS skills data for fast-growing occupations, mathematics ranks first for data scientists, followed by computers and information technology and writing and reading.
Information security analysts. Employment is projected to grow 28.5%, adding about 52,100 jobs through 2034. The occupation had a median annual wage of $124,910 in 2024 and typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Its three highest-ranked BLS skill areas are computers and information technology, adaptability, and writing and reading. BLS also expects the frequency and severity of cyberattacks and data breaches to increase demand for these workers.
Actuaries and operations research analysts. Both occupations center on quantitative analysis and decision-making. Actuary employment is projected to grow 21.8% through 2034, while operations research analyst employment is projected to rise 21.5%. Mathematics ranks as the top BLS skill for both, followed by critical and analytical thinking and writing and reading. Both typically require a bachelor’s degree.
Computer and information research scientists. Employment is projected to grow 19.7% from 2024 to 2034, adding about 7,900 jobs. The occupation had a median annual wage of $140,910 in May 2024 and typically requires at least a master’s degree, although some federal positions may accept a bachelor’s degree.
These researchers develop new uses for computing technology and may work on algorithms, machine learning, software systems, and other advanced computing problems. The BLS occupational profile ranks computers and information technology as the occupation’s strongest skill area, followed by critical and analytical thinking and problem solving and decision making.
Software developers. Among the occupations highlighted here, software development has the largest employment base. Developers held about 1.69 million jobs in 2024, and employment is projected to grow 15.8% through 2034, adding about 267,700 jobs. That is the largest numerical increase among the AI- and IT-related occupations highlighted in BLS’s July 2026 analysis. About 115,200 software developer openings are projected each year on average over the decade.
Software developers had a median annual wage of $133,080 in 2024 and typically need a bachelor’s degree. Their highest-ranked BLS skill area is computers and information technology, followed by critical and analytical thinking and writing and reading.
Where AI may raise or reduce demand
Strong projected growth in these careers does not mean AI will increase employment everywhere. BLS expects wider AI adoption and related productivity gains to reduce demand in some routine information-processing and administrative roles. Its July 2026 analysis projects declines for occupations including customer service representatives, procurement clerks, credit authorizers, and legal secretaries and administrative assistants.
At the same time, AI can automate or assist with parts of technical work without eliminating the underlying occupation. Software development is a clear example: AI tools can take on some coding-related tasks, while BLS still projects substantial growth in developer employment as organizations build and maintain increasingly complex systems.
These are long-term labor-market projections, not predictions about any individual applicant’s chances. A fast-growing, high-paying occupation can still have a competitive hiring market.
How to verify AI job skill requirements
BLS data can identify broad skills associated with an occupation, but it cannot tell applicants whether a particular employer expects Python, SQL, PyTorch, TensorFlow, AWS, Azure, or another specific technology. For that level of detail, compare federal occupational data with current postings for the exact role you want. The Department of Labor-sponsored O*NET database can add information about job duties, knowledge areas, software skills, and related job titles.
A practical skills check can be simple:
- Review 10 to 15 current postings for the same target title, separating entry-level jobs from experienced positions. Track recurring technologies and requirements rather than treating one listing as representative of the field.
- Compare how often employers list a bachelor’s or graduate degree as required versus preferred, and note whether they accept equivalent experience or a project portfolio.
- Check whether the role involves AI model development, AI-related data infrastructure, cybersecurity, analytics, or broader software work. Similar job titles can cover very different responsibilities.
Start with the occupation, not the AI label. Federal data can narrow the field by showing which careers are growing, how they pay, what education they typically require, and which broad skills matter most. Current job postings can then show which specific technologies employers expect you to use.
