AI Jobs on the Rise: Q1 2025 Labor Market Analysis
As the U.S. labor market continues to evolve alongside rapid technology and economic shifts, the first quarter of 2025 has delivered a mixed yet telling picture of where workforce demand is heading—and few sectors are making waves like artificial intelligence.
U.S. labor market snapshot: Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the U.S. economy added a total of 499,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in the first quarter of 2025, up slightly from 495,000 in Q4 2024. This includes:
- 143,000 jobs in January;
- 128,000 in February;
- and 228,000 in March.
The unemployment rate remained relatively steady during this period, increasing slightly from 4.0% in January to 4.2% in March.
The fastest-growing industries year-over-year, include:
- Healthcare and social assistance added over 385,000 jobs, fueled by aging demographics and ongoing demand for services.
- Professional and business services saw an increase of 215,000 jobs, indicating robust activity in consulting, tech services, and remote work enablement.
- Leisure and hospitality rebounded, adding 172,000 jobs, as consumer spending continued to boost travel, food, and entertainment sectors.
Notably, traditional manufacturing and retail sectors saw stagnant or declining growth, reflecting the continued shift toward digitization and automation across industries.
The AI talent boom: a closer look at Q1 2025
In contrast to traditional sectors, AI-related job growth has surged ahead, according to data from Veritone’s partner Aspen Tech Labs.
- In Q1 2025, there were 35,445 AI-related positions across the U.S.—a 25.2% increase from Q1 2024 and an 8.8% gain from the previous quarter.
- AI jobs aren’t just growing in number—they’re also becoming increasingly strategic and well-compensated. The median annual salary for AI roles in Q1 2025 rose to $156,998, a 0.8% quarter-over-quarter increase.
AI job growth is accelerating—it’s expanding into new regions, industries, and functions, reshaping the future of work in real time. This momentum reflects both rising enterprise adoption of AI and the increasing need for diverse, specialized talent to support its deployment. At Veritone, we’re proud to help organizations tap into this growing market by connecting them with the AI professionals who are driving innovation across the country.
Fastest-growing AI roles
Three AI job titles currently with the highest number of openings are Data Scientist, AI/Machine Learning Engineer, and Big Data Engineer. Among these, AI/Machine Learning Engineer is experiencing the fastest growth, with a 13.1% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 41.8% increase year-over-year.
Data Scientist roles grew 4.2% quarter-over-quarter and 10% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Big Data Engineer roles show mixed trends: a slight decline of 4.1% quarter-over-quarter, but still an 8.5% increase year-over-year.
In addition, job titles like Product/Project Manager, AI/Machine Learning Researcher, and AI/Machine Learning Architect also saw positive growth in both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons.
Top hiring companies for AI talent in Q1 2025
Three companies are leading the AI talent hiring surge, including:
- Amazon – 781 open positions
- Apple – 663 positions
- TikTok – 617 positions
These leaders continue to scale their AI capabilities across operations, product development, and user experience.
The Q1 2025 labor market paints a compelling picture of transformation, with AI emerging as a driving force behind workforce evolution. While traditional sectors show signs of plateauing, AI-related roles are growing rapidly in volume and value, spanning industries, geographies, and functions. The sustained demand for skilled professionals in machine learning, data science, and AI architecture underscores how integral these roles have become to business strategy and innovation. As organizations race to adapt, the ability to attract and retain AI talent will increasingly define competitive advantage. At Veritone Hire, we’re committed to helping our partners lead that charge.
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Further Reading:
What the Repeal of Executive Order 11246 Means for the Hire Industry
How AI Is Alleviating Recruiting Challenges in a Saturated Talent Market
Hiring and Recruitment Advertising Trend Predictions for 2025