Key Facts
- ✓ Artificial intelligence engineers are the fastest-growing job in the US for 2026.
- ✓ 56% of workers plan to look for a new job this year, but 75% feel unprepared.
- ✓ The number of applicants per role has more than doubled since spring 2022.
- ✓ 46% of job seekers have switched from looking for full-time work to freelance or contract gigs.
- ✓ The title 'founder' appeared on the fastest-growing jobs list for the first time.
Quick Summary
LinkedIn has identified artificial intelligence engineers as the fastest-growing job in the United States for 2026. The annual Jobs on the Rise list ranks roles based on hiring data from the past three years, offering a snapshot of where employers are actively recruiting. While technical roles dominate the top of the list, there is a growing demand for professionals who can manage the implementation of technology in the workplace.
The report coincides with survey data showing that 56% of workers intend to search for new employment this year. However, the job market remains competitive. The number of applicants per open role has more than doubled since the spring of 2022, and hiring levels remain below pre-pandemic figures. As a result, many professionals are reconsidering their career paths, with a notable shift toward entrepreneurship and freelance work.
AI Dominates the Top of the List
Artificial intelligence is driving the majority of growth in the fastest-expanding job roles. AI engineers secured the number one spot on LinkedIn's ranking. The influence of AI extends beyond engineering; it is supporting demand in sectors ranging from tech and infrastructure to sales and healthcare.
The list demonstrates that integrating AI into the workplace requires a diverse set of skills. AI consultants and strategists ranked as the second-fastest-growing job type. This indicates that companies need experts who can manage the cultural and operational changes associated with adopting new technology.
Other AI-related roles that feature prominently on the list include:
- Data annotators (ranked fourth), who help train and refine AI systems.
- AI and machine learning researchers (ranked fifth).
Despite the focus on AI, traditional sectors remain strong. New home sales specialists took the third spot, while healthcare reimbursement specialists ranked sixth.
"There is also this whole adjacent system of how you implement AI; how you do culture change around AI; how you get people to really adapt and use it."
— Laura Lorenzetti, Senior Director at LinkedIn
The Struggle to Switch Roles
While many workers want to move jobs, the survey data reveals a significant confidence gap. In a November survey, 56% of workers said they planned to look for a new job in 2026. However, approximately 75% of respondents felt unprepared to make that switch.
Respondents cited several reasons for their lack of readiness, including uncertainty about how to stand out to employers and concerns about keeping pace with shifting technology skills. The difficulty of the job search is a recurring theme. More than six in 10 respondents reported that finding a job had become more challenging over the previous year, citing competition and skills gaps as primary barriers.
The market data supports these concerns. Since the spring of 2022, the average number of applicants per open role has more than doubled. As of November, hiring activity was 23% below pre-pandemic levels, creating a bottleneck for those seeking traditional full-time employment.
The Rise of the Founder 🚀
Faced with a difficult job market and years of cuts in Big Tech, many professionals are abandoning the search for traditional employment in favor of independent work. Nearly 46% of job seekers surveyed said they had shifted their focus from full-time roles to freelance, contract, or advising gigs.
This trend is particularly visible among Gen Z. Nearly one in five professionals who were unable to find a new job in 2025 reported starting their own business or moving to consulting. This pivot is changing the landscape of professional titles on LinkedIn. The job title founder has appeared on the list of fastest-growing jobs for the first time, landing in the ninth spot.
LinkedIn reported in December that the share of US users adding 'founder' to their profiles jumped by 69% from the prior year. This suggests a broader shift in mindset regarding career ownership.
Laura Lorenzetti, a senior director at LinkedIn, commented on this trend: "People are seeing that as a way to own their career and own their next step," referring to the growing interest in entrepreneurship.
The Complete 2026 Ranking
According to LinkedIn's data, these are the 25 fastest-growing roles in the United States:
- AI engineers
- AI consultants & strategists
- New home sales specialists
- Data annotators
- AI/ML researchers
- Healthcare reimbursement specialists
- Strategic advisors & independent consultants
- Advertising sales specialists
- Founders
- Sales executives
- Commissioning managers
- Venture partners
- Field marketing representatives
- Fundraising officers
- Background investigators
- Business development executives
- Data center technicians
- Travel advisors
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Quantitative researchers & analysts
- Financial advisors & planners
- Construction project leads
- Legal researchers
- Public affairs specialists
- Benefits advisors
"People are seeing that as a way to own their career and own their next step."
— Laura Lorenzetti, Senior Director at LinkedIn
