January 2026 US Labor Market Update: Jobs Mentioning AI Are Growing

🎯 Impact Sentiment: Neutral

📋 Summary

• Overall hiring in the US remains flat or down, but jobs referencing AI are growing fast, especially within knowledge work roles.
• Nearly half of data & analytics job postings now mention AI, with notable increases in sectors like marketing and human resources.
• Despite a weaker hiring market, postings mentioning AI are up more than 130% since pre-pandemic levels, while overall jobs have barely grown.
• Workers with AI skills see better job prospects, but most job postings—even in high-tech sectors—still do not require or mention AI.

💡 JR Insights

• 💼 Implication: If you’re looking to future-proof your job search, make AI skills a top priority—employers are concentrating their limited hiring around these capabilities, even when cutting back elsewhere.
• 🚨 Risk: If you’re in a field slow to adopt AI, or you ignore upskilling opportunities, you’ll probably find fewer openings and stiffer competition, especially as hiring overall remains sluggish.
• ✨ Takeaway: Don’t just wait for the job market to heat up—get ahead of the curve by actively learning and highlighting AI skills, even in traditional knowledge roles. The advantage goes to those who adapt early.