America’s AI job boom: Which cities have the most AI job opportunities?
As industries across the board—from big tech to startups, healthcare to finance—increasingly lean on AI to streamline operations and enhance decision-making, the demand for skilled AI professionals has skyrocketed. This surge is reshaping the job market and positioning some cities as the epicenters of AI talent and employment.
To pinpoint just where these AI-embraced job hubs are, we took to LinkedIn job listings to analyze which cities are innovating the most (and least) and to understand what these different roles look like regarding salary, experience, industry, and more. Read on to see what we uncovered.
Key findings
Overall, San Jose, California; Buffalo, New York; and Birmingham, Alabama, are the most AI-focused cities for professionals, as they have the highest percentage of total job openings that require AI knowledge.
Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York have the lowest percentage of total job openings that mention AI.
Information technology (IT) is the leading industry for AI adoption. However, less than half of all IT job postings across the country include AI as a part of the role.
Philadelphia and New Orleans are the best cities to work in AI if you want to make at least six figures.
Chicago stands out as a destination of opportunity for entry-level AI professionals, with a remarkable 52.2% of all AI-related jobs categorized as entry-level positions.
The 15 best U.S. cities for six-figure careers in AI
Are you looking to carve out a lucrative career in the dynamic field of artificial intelligence? Whether you're a seasoned AI professional or just starting your journey in this cutting-edge industry, choosing the right location can make all the difference, especially when it comes to salary.
For those looking to make it in the six-figure range, Philadelphia could be a target destination for your next career move. With 70.9% of AI-related jobs paying at least $100,000, Philadelphia emerges as the leading destination for tech professionals.
New Orleans secures the second spot for cities with the most AI-related jobs offering six-figure salaries. At 56.7% of total AI-related jobs offering $100K+, the Big Easy honors its name, considering the tech job pool is full of high-paying careers.
Notably, New Orleans and Philadelphia are the only two cities in our list where the majority of AI-related jobs offer six-figure salaries, underscoring their status as prime destinations for AI professionals seeking substantial financial compensation.
One notable observation from our research is the scarcity of low-paying AI jobs. With the vast majority of AI-related positions commanding high salaries, this trend reinforces the notion that skills and experience with AI (and any other innovative advances) are in high demand for companies and critical for young professionals.
The best U.S. cities and industries for AI-related jobs
Take a closer look at our findings to find which cities and industries stand out in criteria such as salary, experience level, and industry.
Leading cities for AI job opportunities
San Jose, Buffalo, and Birmingham emerge as hotspots for AI-focused professionals, boasting the highest percentage of total job openings that require AI knowledge. In San Jose, 5.37% of all job openings are AI-related, followed closely by Buffalo (4.98%) and Birmingham (4.80%). From Silicon Valley's tech giants to emerging startups in the Rust Belt, these cities offer a diverse array of opportunities for AI professionals to thrive and innovate.
Chicago stands out as a beacon of opportunity for entry-level AI professionals, with a remarkable 52.2% of all AI-related jobs categorized as entry-level positions. This means that aspiring AI enthusiasts have ample opportunities to kick-start their careers in the Windy City, whether they're fresh out of college or looking to transition into the exciting world of AI.
Leading industries for AI jobs
It is no surprise that IT is a leading industry for AI adoption and job experience. 42.9% of all IT job posts include AI as a part of the role.
Engineering was the second-most AI-focused industry analyzed, with 30.9% of job posts including AI.
As one of the more unexpected industries near the top of our list, education comes in third for industries with the most AI-related jobs, with 28.5% of total listings mentioning AI.
Click here to access the full research on AI jobs.
Closing thoughts
These findings highlight where AI talent is most in demand in 2024. According to LinkedIn job listings, San Jose, Buffalo, and Birmingham are emerging as prime AI job hubs, while Philadelphia boasts the highest percentage of AI-related job roles earning six figures. Additionally, 43% of all IT job listings in the U.S. include AI as a part of the role.
The demand for AI expertise is rapidly increasing as more businesses recognize the advantages of AI in improving efficiency. With Freddy AI, Freshworks is doing just that by helping businesses automate repetitive tasks and enhance customer interactions with AI-driven chatbots. By integrating AI into everyday workflows, Freddy AI enables businesses to improve productivity and deliver superior customer experiences. For more details, visit Freshworks Freddy AI.
Methodology
We started with a list of the 50 most populous U.S. cities to find the cities with the most AI-related job opportunities. Using LinkedIn job listings, we searched each city for "AI"-related jobs to determine the cities with the most AI-related jobs according to the percentage of AI-related positions posted in that city. To do this, we divided the number of AI-related jobs by the total number of job postings in that city. We also scraped for other metrics based on the various filters: hierarchical position, salary, and industry.
