Jobs that build AI

Yes, by the count of open roles. 737 live postings carry the title AI engineer, out of 182,590 AI-related jobs at 1,129 companies tracked by Level, and 7,590 of those jobs are rated Builds AI, meaning AI is the core of the work rather than a mention. Measured November 2026.

Yes, against the wider market. Median maximum salary is $252,000 and the median floor is $184,000, on 173 live AI engineer postings that publish a USD range. Across all 45,044 USD postings the median maximum is $200,000, so AI engineer titles sit above the market. Measured November 2026.

Yes, and the more central AI is to the role, the more it pays. Builds AI jobs, where AI is the core of the work, show a median maximum of $264,500 on 3,419 USD postings, against $188,200 on 34,009 Little AI postings, where the work involves no AI at all. Measured November 2026.

An AI engineer needs hands-on skill with the tools employers name most: Python (10,432), Aws (6,245), Excel (4,788), Sql (3,692), and Kubernetes (3,367), across 70,609 live jobs that cite at least one AI tool. 737 postings carry the AI engineer title, and 323 of those mention a degree. Measured November 2026.

Right now, Level lists 737 live postings that carry the exact title AI engineer, out of 182,590 AI-related jobs tracked at 1,129 companies. Titled roles undercount the real total, since many postings use similar titles instead, like machine learning engineer, which totals 682. Measured November 2026.