The rise in popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) tools being integrated into the workforce could greatly impact salaries for professionals who decide to learn new programming skills. According to a recent study published by Biz Report, there is a notable variation in AI worker salaries across different states.
The study, “AI Influence on U.S. Workforce Salaries,” reveals that Connecticut, California, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Minnesota are the top-paying states for AI professionals — with Connecticut leading with an average AI-related wage of over $176,000 annually.
Even in states where AI-related salaries are lower, like Tennessee with an average of $84,190, these wages are still reported to be higher than the average wage in 39 other states for different occupations. This gap suggests a major financial incentive for job hunters seeking new tech-savvy opportunities across the U.S.
The report also reveals that in some states and U.S. territories, AI-related jobs pay over 100% more than the average salary for other occupations. For instance, in Guam, AI salaries are 167% higher than the average for other jobs.
The study also sheds light on the increasing number of AI-related job opportunities. For instance, in 2023, 30.3% of computer science jobs are AI-related — a notable rise of around 7,000 from 2022. Between 2011 and 2020, AI-related job postings nearly doubled, from 12,237 to 23,368. This fast rise in AI-job-related opportunities is a workforce trend that’s estimated to persist well into 2026.
This data from Biz Report shows how demand for AI expertise is not only growing but also significantly influencing salary structures across various sectors in the tech field. For the workforce, this means that skills in AI and its related fields are becoming increasingly valuable and can lead to lucrative career opportunities.