Millennials are securing 60% of the top AI roles and earning median salaries of $236,000, according to new LinkedIn research published this week. The study analyzed the fastest-growing AI jobs and found that millennials, aged 30 to 45, dominate leadership positions such as head of AI, while also making up 56% of technical hires in AI roles.
LinkedIn's data shows that men hold the majority of these roles, with women comprising only 20% of head of AI hires, 26% of director of AI hires, and 18% of technical staff hires. Meanwhile, Gen Z workers, aged 22 to 27, are filling more than two-thirds of new hires in entry-level AI positions like forward deployed engineer and AI engineer, with median salaries of $199,000 and $166,000 respectively.
This hiring trend highlights a generational divide in the AI labor market, where millennials are capturing senior and higher-paying roles, while Gen Z is entering the field through in-demand technical contributor positions. The report also notes that despite a challenging entry-level job market overall, AI roles represent a growing opportunity for younger workers, contrasting with broader employment struggles for Gen Z.
The LinkedIn analysis underscores the ongoing gender gap in AI employment, with women significantly underrepresented in leadership and technical AI roles. The research was based on LinkedIn platform data examining hiring trends and salary levels across AI job categories as of September 2026.