AI engineer role tops LinkedIn’s 2026 ‘Jobs on the Rise’ list

Through the analysis of millions of jobs started between 2023 and mid-2025, jobs board LinkedIn revealed the jobs that are set to receive the most demand growth in 2026.

For its research, Jobs on the Rise, LinkedIn analysed millions of jobs started by its members from 1 January 2023 to 31 July 2025 to identify the roles with the highest growth rate – uncovering trends that will shape the future of work, it said.

AI skills in demand

For LinkedIn, 2026 will see the workforce use artificial intelligence at a larger scale – reflected in the growth of AI engineer, director of artificial intelligence, and chief risk officer roles.

This is in contrast with the top five roles in 2025 – English teacher, server, travel specialist, sommelier, and electrical design engineer – which experienced growth last year due to a “rebound” in education and services. LinkedIn revealed that its latest research reveals a shift in focus to “technology-led growth”, with AI roles now in high demand.

Through its findings, LinkedIn found that AI literacy is currently the most in-demand skill in the nation. It said that this is influencing hiring preferences, with eight in 10 global leaders reporting being more likely to hire candidates more comfortable with AI tools compared to more experienced candidates less familiar with the technology.

AI is emerging as a critical leadership skill, its findings revealed. In its latest data, LinkedIn observed a rising number of Australian C-suite executives with AI-related skills, such as prompt engineering and generative AI tools, on their LinkedIn profiles – growing 4.7 times in two years.

AI levelling the playing field

The role of “founder” made seventh place on the list, following a 58 per cent increase in LinkedIn users adding the label to their profiles between July 2024 and July 2025 – more than triple 2022’s figures.

More than three in 10 professionals reported that AI has increased their likelihood of starting a business, it found. LinkedIn said that this reveals AI’s crucial role in “levelling the playing field”, providing new capabilities that allow small businesses to compete with larger companies.

LinkedIn said: “Australia’s start-up ecosystem is growing fast across a variety of sectors, including health tech, climate solutions and AI, and there’s strong momentum for founders to launch start-ups that build on generative AI and data tools.”

Small businesses out-hiring larger firms

LinkedIn’s research found that small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) experienced nine times the average headcount growth than that of larger firms. Its data revealed that while hiring among SMBs was up 5 per cent year on year, larger companies suffered a year-on-year lag, with a 3 per cent decline among companies with more than 1,000 employees.

LinkedIn career expert Brendan Wong observed that AI is becoming a part of everyday work and leadership. Wong said: “Whether you’re in tech, business or creative industries, building AI literacy and staying open to new skills will be key to future-proofing your career.”

He found that the most successful professionals combine technical skills with adaptability and willingness to learn. He said: “Jobseekers can use this list as a roadmap to explore emerging roles, understand the skills employers value most, and position themselves for the opportunities shaping Australia’s future of work.”

LinkedIn’s 2026 Jobs on the Rise list

1. AI engineer

2. Chief risk officer

3. Mechanical engineer

4. Director of artificial intelligence

5. Organisational development manager

6. Legal director

7. Founder

8. Media director

9. Regulatory affairs consultant

10. Power system engineer

11. Head of environment, health, and safety

12. Psychotherapist

13. Head of sales

14. Tax specialist

15. Strategic partnerships manager