PwC released its 2026 AI Jobs Barometer report today, analyzing over 1 billion job ads worldwide to assess AI's impact on employment and skills [1, 2]. The study found entry-level jobs in AI-exposed fields now require skills traditionally seen in senior roles, such as leadership, judgment, emotional intelligence, and data-driven decision-making [1, 3, 2].

In the US, entry-level AI-exposed jobs with 10 or more of these senior skills grew by 35% from 2019 to 2025, while comparable entry-level AI jobs without senior skills fell 10% during the same period [1, 2]. Globally, AI-related roles needing specialized AI skills grew 69%, about eight times faster than overall job market growth of 8.6% [3, 2].

Roles that use AI to augment human skills, including radiologists and recruiters, expanded faster and saw higher salary increases than jobs where AI mainly automates routine tasks [3, 2]. The average salary premium for AI-skilled employees rose to about 62% in 2026, up from 57% last year [3, 2].

Companies most exposed to AI have experienced significant gains, with employee productivity growth of 34% and headcount growth of 52% from 2018 to 2025, outperforming firms less exposed to AI [3, 2]. PwC noted that companies are reducing entry-level hiring amid these changes, planning to cut US entry-level hiring by a third over the next three years [1, 3].

PwC defines traditionally senior skills as those appearing over 50 times in experienced, high AI exposure jobs but fewer than five times in 2019 entry-level roles [1]. Since many junior workers will move beyond basic tasks, they must quickly develop leadership and strategic thinking skills, the report said: "The good news is that many junior workers will be spared years of drudgery on basic, repetitive tasks. The tough news is that those same workers need to quickly step up to demonstrate skills like leadership and strategic thinking" [1].

PwC has launched new training programs and consolidated office locations to help junior employees adapt to these AI-driven skill demands [1]. The report was published on June 15, 2026, highlighting a major shift in job market dynamics due to AI technology [1, 2].