Breaking Job News: 98% of Executives Want AI Skills, But Companies Won’t Pay for Them - Cornering The Job Market

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AI skills are no longer optional. According to new data from Zapier, 98% of executives say they want employees who can use AI, and many are investing heavily in training, hiring, and building AI-focused roles. Pay premiums are emerging for top AI talent, and the C-suite is making it clear: AI capability is the new baseline. At the same time, a new survey from Express Employment Professionals shows job seekers aren’t waiting for formal education to catch up. Two-thirds of Gen Z are teaching themselves job skills online, and most hiring managers say self-taught skills are credible if candidates can prove they’ve actually used them. Listing a skill isn’t enough anymore. Demonstration is everything. But here’s the contradiction. The latest compensation data from PayScale shows base pay increases are slowing, nine-to-five schedules are fading, and most companies updating roles with AI responsibilities are not offering additional compensation. Organizations want AI skills, but many aren’t paying meaningfully more for them, at least not yet.

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