---
title: "What Job Seekers Should Know as 72% of Managers Are…"
canonical: "https://www.metaintro.com/blog/robert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay"
language: "en"
author: "drashtigarach"
published: "2026-10-06T13:02:22.000Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T13:40:48.097Z"
---

[Back to Blog](/blog)
[News](/blog/tag/news)[Salary](/blog/tag/salary)[AI](/blog/tag/ai)[Negotiation](/blog/tag/negotiation)[Skills](/blog/tag/skills)
# What Job Seekers Should Know as 72% of Managers Are Increasing Pay for Relevant AI Skills

72% of managers are increasing pay for relevant AI skills in Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide. See which roles gain most and how to use AI skills in an offer.

[![Drashti Garach](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:40:40/q:72/plain/images/5719d740-e510-42bc-8017-e040d145f35f_1766029465094.png)Drashti Garach @DrashtiGarach](/blog/author/drashtigarach)

[October 6, 2026](/blog/archive/2026/10)14 min read

![Adult professionals seen from behind attending a workshop in a bright training room](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:1200:675/q:78/plain/images/final-10472.jpg)

[https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay)[http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay)[https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay&title=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay&title=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills)[mailto:?subject=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay](mailto:?subject=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay)

[Nearly three-quarters of managers (72%) say they are increasing pay for relevant AI skills](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), and [42% say AI expertise commands more than other technical skills](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), in [Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide). The catch is that overall pay growth is slow, since [average salaries for new hires are projected to rise 1.9% in 2027](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). Employers are [adjusting their pay strategies despite tight budgets and modest overall starting salary increases](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide). For [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) readers, the useful part sits below the headline, in the role-by-role salary ranges, the fields where the most employers pay more for AI skills and the cities with the highest share of employers offering above-plan salaries. Here are the numbers, and how to use them when you negotiate.

## What Did Robert Half's 2027 Salary Guide Find About AI Skills?

The guide came out on [Oct. 1, 2026](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), with [projected salaries for hundreds of positions across 7 professional fields](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). [72% of managers are offering higher pay for relevant AI skills, with 42% offering more for AI-related expertise than for other tech skills](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

[57% are offering salaries above their planned range, with 87% citing the need to secure candidates with specialized skills as a top reason](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide). Employers are also sweetening offers, as [64% say job offers are more competitive than they were 3 years ago](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

Separately, [72% of employers are modestly increasing compensation budgets to help attract and retain top talent while balancing other cost pressures](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide). That budget share is a different measure from the [72% AI skills figure](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

[A candidate's skills can influence pay within a given role](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). In plain terms, two people applying for the same job title can be offered [different pay depending on their skills](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

> Compensation expectations are evolving as employers compete for talent with specialized and emerging skills, Robert Half operational president Dawn Fay said, according to [the Robert Half press release](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

## How Was the Salary Guide Built, and Whose Numbers Are These?

The survey findings come from [more than 2,000 hiring managers, business leaders and employed workers across the United States](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). Respondents work at [small (10-99 employees), midsize (100-999 employees) and large (1,000-plus employees) private, publicly listed and public sector organizations](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide), and the surveys were [conducted by an independent research firm](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

The salary benchmarks are built differently, and are [based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has placed nationwide, along with third-party job posting data from Textkernel](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist) used for independent validation. The guide covers [more than 425 roles in 7 professional fields](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide), with [2.3M+ salaries analyzed and 15,000+ skills tracked](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

One detail matters for anyone reading the ranges. [The salary ranges reflect base salaries for new hires across all levels of experience](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). These are [base salaries for new hires](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), not annual raises for people already in a job, so treat them as a market benchmark when you change employers or argue that your current pay has fallen behind.

The guide has a long history, as [Robert Half has been publishing salary forecasts for more than 75 years](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). [Robert Half is a global talent solutions and business consulting firm](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), and its salary pages sit next to an [offer to request candidates or search openings](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist).

## How Much Do Starting Salaries Rise in 2027, and Which Roles Beat the Average?

Across all seven fields, [average salaries for new hires are projected to rise 1.9% in 2027, with selected roles expected to see larger increases](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). [Projected starting salary growth has moderated, while companies are competing for professionals with specialized skills](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

Robert Half names [selected roles projected to experience growth that exceeds the national average of 1.9% in 2027](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html) in five fields.

- **Technology.** Business Intelligence Developer, Data Scientist and Cybersecurity Engineer are on the [list of roles expected to outpace salary growth](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).
- **Finance and accounting.** Financial Analyst, Staff Accountant and Financial Planning and Analysis Manager [make the same list](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).
- **Legal.** Attorney roles with [2-3 and 4-9 years' experience, plus In-House Counsel with 4-9 years' experience](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), are named.
- **Marketing and creative.** Marketing Automation Specialist, Marketing Analytics Specialist and Digital Marketing Manager [are on the list](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).
- **Administrative and customer support.** Executive Assistant, Senior Administrative Assistant and Senior Customer Service Representative [are also named](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

## What Do AI-Linked Tech Roles Pay in the 2027 Guide?

Technology and IT salaries are [projected to rise an average of 2.1% year over year](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends), after projected average increases in earlier guides of [2.9% for 2024 and 1.6% for both 2025 and 2026](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends). In tech, [92% of technology leaders are offering higher pay for relevant AI skills](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends), compared with [72% across all fields](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

These are the tech roles with above-average projected growth, with each [projected 2027 midpoint salary](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).

- **Business intelligence developer.** A [midpoint of $134,750 and projected growth of 3.3%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **Data scientist.** A [midpoint of $158,750 and projected growth of 3.3%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **Cybersecurity engineer.** A [midpoint of $148,500 and projected growth of 3.1%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **Network or cloud engineer.** A [midpoint of $136,000 and projected growth of 3.0%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **Software engineer.** A [midpoint of $146,250 and projected growth of 3.0%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **AI/ML analyst.** A [midpoint of $150,000 and projected growth of 2.9%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).

The [national salary range for Data Scientist is $123,750 - $186,750](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist), and the top of that range describes a candidate who [has extensive experience in the role, demonstrates advanced skills and often brings specialized certifications or industry experience](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist). For this role, [most employers require 5 to 10 years' experience in computer science or information systems, as well as a bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD in a quantitative discipline](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist).

Related AI roles carry their own ranges. An [AI Architect runs from $145,250 to $204,000, an AI Engineer from $154,500 to $196,750 and an ML Engineer from $124,250 to $177,000](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist). Skills listed for the data scientist role include [AI, machine learning, natural language processing, cloud ML platforms and big data technologies](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist).

Tech employers are also stretching budgets, as [65% of technology leaders are offering salaries above their planned range](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends). Gaps are common too, with [72% of technology leaders reporting skills gaps within their departments](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).

## Is the AI Premium Only for Tech Workers?

No. In finance, [82% of finance and accounting leaders are offering higher pay for relevant AI skills and half are offering greater premiums for AI-related expertise than for other technology skills](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends). That [82% share](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends) is higher than the [72% figure across all fields](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

Finance salaries overall are [projected to increase an average of 1.8% year over year](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends). These are the finance roles with above-average projected growth, each with its [projected 2027 midpoint salary](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).

- **Financial analyst.** A [midpoint of $83,000 and projected growth of 3.8%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).
- **Staff accountant.** A [midpoint of $76,500 and projected growth of 3.7%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).
- **FP&A manager.** A [midpoint of $143,000 and projected growth of 3.6%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).
- **Assistant treasurer and procurement specialist.** Both have [projected growth of 3.3%, with midpoints of $110,000 and $63,000](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).
- **Payroll specialist.** A [midpoint of $49,000 and projected growth of 3.2%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).

The [national salary range for Financial Analyst is $72,000 - $94,000](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/financial-analyst). Skills listed for the role include [advanced Excel, budgeting and forecasting, data fluency and analytics, data visualization platform proficiency, ERP software proficiency and financial modeling](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/financial-analyst).

Finance employers are also competing on offers, as [67% of finance and accounting leaders report they are making more competitive offers for business-critical roles and 69% say they have offered salaries above their planned range](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends). Organizations [remain willing to compete for professionals with specialized expertise in areas such as AI, ERP platforms, data analytics, process automation, regulatory reporting and financial systems optimization](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).

## Which Cities Have the Most Employers Offering Above-Plan Salaries?

Nationally, [57% of managers say they are offering higher-than-planned salaries to new hires](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). These are the surveyed cities with the [highest share of employers offering higher-than-planned salaries to attract new talent](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

- **The top three.** [San Francisco at 66%, Denver at 65% and Seattle at 64%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).
- **The next four.** [Dallas at 61%, Minneapolis at 60%, Boston at 59% and Atlanta at 57%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).
- **The rest of the list.** [Washington, D.C. at 54%, Los Angeles at 52%, Houston at 50%, New York at 48% and Chicago at 47%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

New York and Chicago sit at the bottom of [this ranking](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). Salary levels differ by city too, and a data scientist in [Austin, TX is projected at $143,550 to $216,630](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist/austin-tx), and the guide's [Salary Calculator lets you search projected starting salaries by job title and city](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

## How Does This Compare With PwC's AI Wage Premium Data?

[The average wage premium for AI skills rose to 62%](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html), across [more than one billion jobs advertisements in 27 countries and territories](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html) in the [PwC 2026 Global AI Jobs Barometer](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html) released on [June 15, 2026](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html).

The 62% wage premium comes from [job advertisements across many countries](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html), while the 72% comes from a survey of [U.S. hiring managers](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html) about whether they are paying more for AI skills. The [72% figure](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide) is a share of employers, not the size of the raise, and Robert Half gives no dollar or percentage size for the AI premium in [its 2027 Salary Guide announcement](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

Demand is rising as well, since [jobs requiring specific AI skills are growing almost eight times (69%) faster than the total jobs market (9%)](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html). At the entry level, [AI-exposed entry-level roles are seven times more likely to require traditionally senior-level skills such as judgement and leadership](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2026/pwc-2026-ai-jobs-barometer.html), in an analysis of U.S. data.

## What Else Moves an Offer Besides Salary?

[96% of employers in Robert Half's survey say they include salary ranges in job descriptions or plan to do so](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), and they name these benefits of pay transparency.

- [Attracting a higher-quality candidate pool at 60% and improving employee retention at 57%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).
- [Strengthening salary negotiations at 53% and reducing time-to-hire at 34%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

[91% of employers use, or plan to use, external market data to benchmark salaries, and 93% intend to establish clear pay bands across roles and levels](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide). [Two-thirds of companies are reviewing salaries for parity](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide).

Workers also weigh perks, and asked which benefits beyond healthcare would most influence their decisions, workers cited [flexible work hours at 67%, commuter benefits at 55%, hybrid work arrangements at 51%, free or subsidized meals at 51% and a 401(k) match at 50%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). If base pay is fixed, these are items you can still put on the table.

> Employers are willing to offer higher pay for professionals who understand where AI can add value, can integrate it into day-to-day processes, and can apply it responsibly to solve real business challenges, Robert Half operational president Dawn Fay said, according to [the Fortune report on the guide](https://fortune.com/2026/10/05/workers-fear-ai-kill-jobs-instead-could-boost-paychecks-72-employers-pay-more-for-ai-skills/).

## How Can You Show AI Skills in a Raise or Offer Negotiation?

The skills described go beyond using a tool. Robert Half's Dawn Fay [told Fortune that employers are willing to offer higher pay for professionals who understand where AI can add value, can integrate it into day-to-day processes, and can apply it responsibly](https://fortune.com/2026/10/05/workers-fear-ai-kill-jobs-instead-could-boost-paychecks-72-employers-pay-more-for-ai-skills/). That gives you a simple frame for any negotiation.

- **Name the business result.** Describe a task you sped up, a report you automated or an error rate you cut, since Fay says employers are willing to offer higher pay for professionals who can apply AI to [solve real business challenges](https://fortune.com/2026/10/05/workers-fear-ai-kill-jobs-instead-could-boost-paychecks-72-employers-pay-more-for-ai-skills/).
- **Match the skills employers list.** Technology skills that [may influence compensation include agentic AI, AI governance, data architecture and infrastructure, and infrastructure automation](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **Back it with a credential where it fits.** Tech certifications in the guide include the [IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and CompTIA (A+, Cloud+, Security+)](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends).
- **Bring a market number.** Look up your title and city in the [Robert Half salary calculator](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide), and note where your skills place you between the [low, mid and high points of the range](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist).

The range levels help here. The high point describes a candidate who [has extensive experience in the role, demonstrates advanced skills and often brings specialized certifications or industry experience](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/financial-analyst). If your AI work fits that description, that is the part of the range to ask about, and [How to Show AI Skills on Your Resume and in Interviews](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/how-to-show-ai-skills-on-your-resume-and-in-interviews) helps you put that work on paper.

## What This Means for Job Seekers, and What Should You Do Next?

Our take is that this guide is good news for a narrow group, not for everyone. With [overall new-hire pay projected to rise 1.9%](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), the bigger gains are concentrated in [selected roles expected to see larger increases](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html). The workers with leverage are those who can show relevant AI skills, which [72% of managers are increasing pay for](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

The word relevant matters. The pay finding covers [relevant AI skills](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), and finance employers [value professionals who can help implement and optimize AI solutions while maintaining financial oversight and compliance](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends). Pair any course with a work example that shows you can [integrate it into day-to-day processes](https://fortune.com/2026/10/05/workers-fear-ai-kill-jobs-instead-could-boost-paychecks-72-employers-pay-more-for-ai-skills/), and if you work outside tech, [AI Skills for Non-Technical Roles in Marketing, Sales, and Operations](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/ai-skills-for-non-technical-roles) is a place to find those examples.

Here is what we would do.

- **Check your role against the faster-growing list.** If you are in one of the [roles projected to beat the 1.9% average](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), use that role's projected range when you discuss a starting offer.
- **Use the range, not the midpoint.** Ask for the level that matches your skills, since [the high point](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/job-details/data-scientist) describes extensive experience in the role, advanced skills and often specialized certifications or industry experience.
- **Ask for the pay range early.** Most employers [say they include salary ranges in job descriptions or plan to](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), so it is a normal question.
- **Negotiate the package.** If the salary is fixed, [flexible work hours and hybrid work](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html) are among the perks workers value most.
- **Do not overstate the premium.** The 72% is a [share of employers paying more](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide), not a fixed raise, so build your ask on your role's own range.

## Related Articles

- [The AI Skills Gap and What It Means for Your Salary](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/ai-skills-gap-and-your-salary)
- [How to Negotiate a Job Offer After You Have It in Writing](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/how-to-negotiate-a-job-offer)
- [How to Negotiate Salary in an Interview](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/negotiate-salary-in-an-interview)
- [How to Ask for a Raise](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/how-to-ask-for-a-raise)
- [Pay Transparency Laws and What You Can Ask](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/pay-transparency-laws-and-what-you-can-ask)
- [Free and Low-Cost Ways to Learn AI Skills That Employers Trust](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/free-and-low-cost-ways-to-learn-ai-skills)
- [Workers Are Turning to AI for Raise Requests, and a Gender Gap Is Emerging](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/workers-are-turning-to-ai-for-raise-requests-and-a-gender-gap-is-emerging)
- [Skills Training Programs and How to Choose One That Actually Raises Your Pay](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/skills-training)
- [Could AI Actually Raise Your Salary, a New Study Says Yes](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/could-ai-raise-your-salary-new-study-wage-premium-2026)
- [What Tech Workers Need to Learn as AI Skills Take Over Job Postings](https://www.metaintro.com/blog/what-tech-workers-need-to-learn-ai-skills-job-postings-2026)

## People Also Asked

### Q: Are employers paying more for AI skills in 2027?

A: Yes. [72% of managers are increasing pay for relevant AI skills, with 42% offering more for AI-related expertise than other technical skills](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html).

### Q: How much will starting salaries rise in 2027?

A: Average salaries for new hires across the seven fields in the guide are [projected to rise 1.9% in 2027](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2027-salary-guide-from-robert-half-finds-employers-are-paying-more-for-candidates-with-specialized-skills-302895043.html), with selected roles expected to see larger increases.

### Q: Which tech and finance jobs get the biggest salary increases in the Robert Half guide?

A: In tech, [business intelligence developers and data scientists are projected at 3.3%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/technology-salary-trends), and in finance, [financial analysts are projected at 3.8%](https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends).

Wondering what you should earn? [Metaintro](https://www.metaintro.com) brings together 50M jobs in one place. [Create a free profile](https://www.metaintro.com/signup) and start your search today.

### Share this article

[https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay)[http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay)[https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay&title=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay&title=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills)[mailto:?subject=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay](mailto:?subject=What%20Job%20Seekers%20Should%20Know%20as%2072%25%20of%20Managers%20Are%20Increasing%20Pay%20for%20Relevant%20AI%20Skills&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metaintro.com%2Fblog%2Frobert-half-2027-salary-guide-ai-skills-pay)

![](https://cdn.metaintro.com/rs:fill:1200:800/q:30/plain/images/bridges/bridge-expand.1df895c6bd76d96f.png)

For job seekers

## Ready to find a role that actually fits?

Upload your résumé, start a Job Search Thread, and let Metaintro rank real openings against your experience — then guide you from search to offer.

[Get Started Free](/signup)[Search matching jobs](/jobs/search)

Match

Compare live roles against your current evidence.

Position

Turn proof projects into role-specific applications.

Improve

Use market feedback to keep the skill plan current.

[Return to navigation](#main-navigation)