> At a Glance
> – AI engineer ranks as the fastest-growing U.S. job for 2026
> – AI consultant/strategist secures second place on LinkedIn’s annual list
> – 56% of Americans plan to job-hunt in 2026 amid a tighter market
> – Why it matters: Knowing where demand is concentrated can guide career pivots
LinkedIn’s 2026 Jobs on the Rise report spotlights artificial intelligence roles at the very top, signaling where opportunity-and competition-will be fiercest this year.
The Market Reality
Although 56% of Americans expect to look for new work in 2026-mirroring 2025 levels-openings are scarcer and more clustered by industry.
Dan Roth, LinkedIn editor-in-chief and VP, explains:
> “This year’s crop is doing it in a much tighter job market, so there are jobs out there-they’re harder to find.”
Roth told TODAY’s 3rd hour on January 7 that roles are unevenly distributed, making targeted searches essential.
How to Pivot Successfully
Roth advises focusing on skills, not past titles.
> “The key is rethinking what you’re doing not as a job, but as a set of skills.”
His step-by-step approach:
- Map your current skill set
- Compare it to skills listed for in-demand roles like construction planning coordinator or independent analyst
- Identify transferable abilities
- Craft a narrative showing how those skills solve employer needs
> “How do my skills relate to the skills that are required to do this job?” Roth said. “You put together a new profile, in your cover letter, you explain it really clearly.”
Key Takeaways
- AI engineer leads LinkedIn’s 2026 fastest-growing jobs ranking
- Market conditions favor candidates who target growth sectors
- Reframing experience around transferable skills improves hireability
- Storytelling bridges the gap between past work and future roles
A focused, skills-based strategy can open doors even in a competitive hiring landscape.
