AI and data analytical skills could be a good bet if you’re looking for a good-paying, in-demand job.
Talent solutions firm Robert Half published its newest salary guide, which includes projected starting pay next year for candidates with different experience, skills, and certifications for a slew of tech, finance, administrative, and other kinds of jobs.
The projections are based on the firm’s professional-to-employer matched compensation data over the last two years and third-party job posting data. Business Insider sorted the results for a mid-experienced candidate looking for a tech job. The firm said those mid-experienced jobs mean “the candidate has moderate experience in the role, meets most requirements or has equivalent transferable skills, and may also have relevant certifications.”
The latest guide comes at a time when it’s tougher to find a job in the US. Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data showed that unemployment has increased, some industries are experiencing net job losses, and there are more unemployed people than job openings.
For people who are able to land interviews, salary negotiations could be important before accepting coveted job offers. It may be scary to ask for higher pay in a frozen job market, but firms may be willing to pay more for desired skills.
“When it comes to IT positions, especially those positions that are in high demand, we found that companies would pay more for certain skill sets, especially skill sets like around AI,” said Thomas Vick, a technology hiring and consulting expert at Robert Half.
Robert Half projects the average starting salary for AI architects in 2026 to range between $142,750 and $196,750, depending on skill level and experience. The projection for a mid-experienced job candidate for this role was $175,000.
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The guide said cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics are some of the other tech skills that employers are willing to pay more for.
Vick recommends job seekers do their research so they can be prepared to negotiate based on how much they think their skills and experience are worth. People can research jobs in demand and how to upskill, or identify what experience they already have for that role.
Job hunters might not just care about their next paycheck, however.
“Candidates are more willing to look at the total package of the compensation — if it allows more flexibility, better benefits, that type of thing,” Vick said. “They’re pushing back and negotiating more on those types of things.”
