WEF Data Shows AI Skills Command 23% Wage Premium, Reshaping Hiring Decisions Globally

Summary

The World Economic Forum published research in February 2026, based on analysis of over 10 million job postings in the UK, showing that candidates with AI-related skills command an average advertised salary 23% higher than otherwise comparable candidates without those skills. Wages for AI-specific roles have increased by 27% since 2019. The research also found that AI skills can offset traditional hiring disadvantages: older applicants and candidates without advanced degrees see substantially im