UK staff with abilities in synthetic intelligence (AI) seem to earn 11% extra on common, even in sectors the place AI is automating elements of their current job capabilities.
Staff in sectors uncovered to AI, the place the know-how may be deployed for some duties, are extra productive and command greater salaries, in line with PwC’s 2025 International AI Jobs Barometer. The examine, which was primarily based on an evaluation of virtually one billion job adverts, discovered that wages are rising twice as quick in industries most uncovered to AI.
From a abilities perspective, PwC reported that AI is altering the abilities required of job candidates. Based on PwC, to reach the office, candidates usually tend to want expertise in utilizing AI instruments and the power to display essential considering and collaboration.
Phillippa O’Connor, chief folks officer at PwC UK, famous that whereas levels are nonetheless essential for a lot of jobs, a discount in diploma necessities suggests employers are a broader vary of measures to evaluate abilities and potential.
In occupations most uncovered to AI, PwC famous that the abilities sought by employers are altering 59% quicker than in occupations least uncovered to AI. “AI is reshaping the roles market – decreasing limitations to entry in some areas, whereas elevating the bar on the abilities required in others,” O’Connor added.
These with the proper AI abilities are being rewarded with greater salaries. In reality, PwC discovered that wages are rising twice as quick in AI-exposed industries. This consists of jobs which can be classed as “automatable”, which suggests they comprise some duties that may readily be automated. The best premiums are connected to occupations requiring AI abilities, with a median premium in 2024 of 11% for UK staff in these roles.
AI is reshaping the roles market – decreasing limitations to entry in some areas, whereas elevating the bar on the abilities required in others Phillippa O’Connor PwC UK
PwC’s evaluation exhibits that sectors uncovered to AI expertise 3 times greater progress within the income generated by every worker. It additionally reported that progress in income per worker for AI-exposed industries surged when giant language fashions (LLMs) resembling generative AI (GenAI) turned mainstream.
Income progress per worker has almost quadrupled in industries most uncovered to AI, resembling software program, rising from 7% between 2018 and 2022, to 27% between 2018 and 2024. In distinction, income progress per worker in industries least uncovered to AI, resembling mining and hospitality, fell barely, from 10% between 2018 and 2022, to 9% between 2018 and 2024.
Nonetheless, since 2018, job postings for occupations with larger publicity to AI have grown at a slower tempo than these with decrease publicity – and this hole is widening.
Umang Paw, chief know-how officer (CTO) at PwC UK, stated: “There are nonetheless many unknowns about AI’s potential. AI can present stardust to these able to adapt, however dangers leaving others behind.”
Paw believes there must be a concerted effort to increase entry to know-how and coaching to make sure the advantages of AI are extensively shared.
“Within the intelligence age, the fusion of AI with applied sciences like real-time knowledge analytics – and companies broadening their services – will create new industries and recent job alternatives,” Paw added.
