“The fastest growing salaries are for roles that combine technical depth with the ability to apply AI at scale.”
Simon Lusty COO, Aquent
In a recent HR Dive article, new data from Aquent’s 2026 Salary Guide reveals a widening compensation gap between AI-driven roles and more traditional positions, underscoring a “stark divide” in the labor market. The analysis shows machine learning engineers saw 6% median salary growth last year, more than double the 2.8% growth for copy editors, highlighting how workforce trends are evolving across marketing, creative and technology fields. According to Aquent, AI-adjacent and technically specialized roles continue to drive significant salary momentum, fueled by rising demand for skills that support digital transformation. Aquent's research emphasizes that organizations must prioritize competitive compensation for high-impact technical talent as AI adoption accelerates.
This article originally appeared on HR Dive.
