Artificial intelligence is a unique career field that combines computer science and cognitive science theory to create technological advancements that improve the quality of life. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field with broad applications across industries, playing a significant role in digital transformation in business, healthcare, finance, and more. AI is already present in our daily lives and in nearly every industry, from virtual assistants and chatbots to self-driving cars and AI musicians. To join this exciting field and earn an AI career, you’ll need to learn the necessary AI skills to get an AI job today.
Getting a job in artificial intelligence requires a lot of determination, time, and skill. Once you’ve studied AI technologies and understand the AI field today, it’s possible for you to find a highly rewarding (and potentially lucrative) career.
With the increasing adoption of AI, there is a growing number of AI careers available, offering strong job prospects and competitive salaries. This guide outlines how to get into the AI field and land a job that interests you. Read on to learn more about how to get a job in AI.
1. Research Artificial Intelligence Jobs
The first step to take to start a career in AI and earn AI skills is to research what types of jobs are available. There is a wide range of roles available to work in artificial intelligence, and the field is growing. The number of job postings for various AI roles continues to increase, reflecting the high demand and expanding opportunities in this industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects job growth of 26 percent through 2033 for computer and information research professionals, which includes those working in AI.1
The typical artificial intelligence career path starts with entry-level jobs such as junior data analyst, associate data scientist, or information systems analyst. These roles will help you develop your skills and give you the hands-on experience required to take on higher positions. Later in your career, you might work as an AI research scientist, data engineer, or AI engineer. After many years in the field, you will be ready for senior-level positions such as a senior software engineer, senior ML engineer, or senior AI engineer.
The 5 Highest-Paying Artificial Intelligence Jobs
All average salaries are current as of August 2025 and are subject to change.
| Artificial Intelligence Jobs | Average Salary |
| Software Architect | $225,0002 |
| AI Engineer | $137,0003 |
| Software Engineer | $147,0004 |
| AI/Machine Learning Engineer | $173,0005 |
| Data Scientist | $152,0006 |
Software Architect
Software architects map out how complex software systems should be built, making sure applications are scalable, efficient, and secure. In AI, software architects often design and oversee digital systems that integrate intelligent functionalities. They decide how data flows, models, and infrastructure connect to support intelligent systems. Most start their careers as software engineers, building technical expertise before moving into architect roles where they guide teams, shape strategy, and ensure projects can grow with new technologies.
AI Engineer
AI engineers are responsible for developing software programs that can think like the human brain. This involves combining math, science, and engineering skills with software development, data science, and programming to develop software that can solve problems and make life easier. The AI engineer career path involves starting as a junior AI engineer and moving into a senior AI engineer role with years of experience.
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, build, test, and install software applications that meet user needs. They combine the principles of engineering, mathematics, and software development to create computer software programs that solve problems. This career is a common entry-level artificial intelligence job and has many opportunities to pivot into other roles with further training.
AI/Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers develop self-running AI software to automate predictive models like chatbots, speech recognition, driverless cars, virtual assistants, and market forecasting. They design machine learning and deep learning systems using machine learning algorithms to get accurate predictions.
Data Scientist
Data scientists collect, analyze, and interpret large data sets to develop solutions to problems, often specifically business problems. They build data models to help solve business issues, present the information through data visualization, and make well-informed business decisions.
2. Complete the Artificial Intelligence Education Requirements
Getting a bachelor’s degree is one of the most popular ways of starting a career in AI. Many people pursue this education path by studying a program in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, statistics, mathematics, data science, or another related field. Undergraduate degrees in these areas provide a solid foundation for AI careers. Many of these programs are accepted by employers and will teach you the skills you need to work in AI.
Can I Get an AI Job Without a Degree?
Yes, you can get an artificial intelligence job without a degree, but you will need some other type of formal education. A great option is to attend a coding bootcamp for artificial intelligence, machine learning, or a similar field. Coding bootcamps are accepted educational credentials by many employers today.
Education Pathways to Work in Artificial Intelligence
There are different educational paths that you can choose from to start a career in AI. Before making a decision, conduct research on reputable programs, industry requirements, and career pathways to ensure you build a strong foundation for your future in AI. Your education requirements can depend on your career goals, with some mid-level and senior positions requiring a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree. Read more on the available options below.
Coding Bootcamp
Bootcamps are a great way to start a career in AI. Coding bootcamps are short-term, fast-paced schools that teach students the relevant knowledge and skills required for a tech career. Bootcamp courses help you build a portfolio to demonstrate your skills to potential employers, and many bootcamps also partner with major U.S. tech companies to help their graduates in the job market.
Whether you want to become a software developer or an artificial intelligence engineer, bootcamps are a reasonable alternative to traditional college programs—supporting you to get job-ready by graduation.
Community College
Community colleges are two-year institutions that equip students with the knowledge required to start a career in a particular field. They are similar to four-year colleges, except they offer shorter, technical programs in the form of an associate’s degree instead of a bachelor’s degree. You can also transfer to a four-year school after completing an associate’s degree.
College Degree
College degrees typically take four years to complete as a full-time student, but it could take up to five years depending on the program, school, and location. Many students choose to continue their education with a master’s degree after a few years of work experience for career growth. Getting a master’s degree is not required for a career in artificial intelligence, but it could help you achieve your career goals.
3. Perfect Your AI Skills
After you have completed the educational requirements, you can now develop your AI skills. You can do this by getting hands-on with AI technologies and using machine learning techniques. These projects make up your professional portfolio and showcase your skills to potential employers.
You can also develop your skills and gain valuable work experience by applying for an artificial intelligence apprenticeship or internship. You may find these opportunities through your school, a bootcamp, or through independent research.
Key AI Skills to List on Your Resume
As an AI professional, there are specific skills that potential employers expect you to have. For example, demonstrating on your resume that you have solid mathematics skills will prove to your potential employer that you have what it takes to deliver results. In addition, strong problem-solving skills are essential for success in AI roles, as they enable you to tackle complex challenges and develop innovative solutions. Listing the following key artificial intelligence skills on your resume could make a difference for you in the job market.
- Programming languages. As an artificial intelligence expert, you should be highly skilled in Python and Java, top languages in AI. Python and Java are coding languages used for machine learning and AI, and are among the best programming languages for beginners. Other languages commonly used in AI include C++, LISP, Julia, and Haskell.
- Applied mathematics. A key component of AI is working with algorithms to define problems, derive solutions, and create models. You don’t need to be a math genius, but you do need a foundational understanding of mathematics.
- Machine learning. Machine learning is one of the most important parts of artificial intelligence, and you will need machine learning skills to become an AI engineer. If this is not already a part of your resume, consider completing machine learning certifications to prove to potential employers that you can meet their expectations for machine learning.
4. Start the Job Hunt
According to 2025 labor trends from Veritone, AI-related job growth has surged ahead in contrast to traditional sectors, noting, “In Q1 2025, there were 35,445 AI-related positions across the U.S.—a 25.2% increase from Q1 2024 and an 8.8% gain from the previous quarter.”7 Since the AI field is growing rapidly, there is a huge demand for AI professionals.
You can find entry-level artificial intelligence jobs through job boards, company websites, online organizations, and from bootcamp or school career services.
Job Boards
Job boards are online platforms that exist to share job openings from various industries, companies, and locations worldwide. Use the search function on these boards with the job title you’re interested in, as well as the location, and you are guaranteed to find several options.
Some job boards are also designed to let you apply directly through their platform, while others will direct you to the company website to apply. You can also set up a specific notification that will send you similar job openings as they become available.
Company Websites
If you have specific companies that you want to work for, you can visit their career page, where you are likely to find all the available job openings at the company. If you are having trouble finding a link titled “Jobs” or “Careers” on the company website, try searching for the company name or URL and the job title to find open positions.
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AI Communities
Online communities consist of a group of people from the same industry, field, or career who have similar interests and like to network with each other. Joining the AI community through meetups, webinars, and workshops is a valuable way to expand your network and seek mentorship. They exist in almost every field and are a good way to keep updated on industry trends, build a solid professional network, and find job opportunities. You can find them by searching your field and “online community.”
Joining an online artificial intelligence community with members in your region can help with your professional growth and job search. Through this group, you may also be invited to industry events and training programs.
5. Prepare for an AI Interview
To prepare for an artificial intelligence interview, you need to build your AI portfolio, read up on industry trends and news, get familiar with relevant terms, learn about the job position, and do your research on the company. It is also important to understand the interview process and prepare for both technical and problem-solving questions, as these will help demonstrate your analytical and coding skills.
When preparing for the technical interview, you can find free resources online and through AI communities to help you practice technical skills based on example technical interview questions.
Another good way to prepare is by going through some common AI interview questions and practicing answering them aloud, either alone or with someone you trust to provide solid feedback. Below are some examples of common AI interview questions you may be asked during an interview.
AI Interview Questions
- What does artificial intelligence mean to you?
- What are some real-life applications of artificial intelligence?
- Explain the different domains of artificial intelligence.
- What programming languages have you used for artificial intelligence projects?
6. Earn AI Certifications and Certificates
Certifications and certificates serve as evidence of your skills. They prove to potential employers that you are capable of the skills on your resume and that you can perform the role efficiently.
There are several AI certifications and certificates available to help boost your resume and get you one step closer to landing your dream job. Below are some of the most popular artificial intelligence certifications and certificates available today.
IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate
The IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate will teach you the basics of AI, get you comfortable with Python, and practice building real projects like chatbots.8 The program walks you through IBM Watson services and APIs so you can design, build, and even deploy AI-powered apps on the web. By the end, you’ll know how to apply AI tools in practical ways that employers actually look for.
IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate
The IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate takes you deeper into the technical side of AI.9 You’ll gain hands-on experience with machine learning and deep learning, working on projects that cover regression, classification, clustering, and recommender systems. The program also teaches you to scale ML with Apache Spark and build, test, and deploy models using Keras, PyTorch, and TensorFlow—giving you the skills to step confidently into an AI engineering career.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer (AiE®) Certification Process by the Artificial Intelligence Board of America (ARTiBA)
The ARTiBA Artificial Intelligence Engineer (AiE®) certification is for professionals ready to take a big step in AI engineering.10 You’ll learn how to prepare data, train and deploy machine learning models, and work with advanced topics like natural language processing, deep learning, and reinforcement learning. Built on ARTiBA’s AMDEX™ framework and recognized worldwide, the AiE® credential helps you stand out in today’s competitive AI job market.
Azure AI Engineer Associate Certificate from Microsoft
The Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate credential will validate that you have the skills to design, build, and deploy AI solutions using Microsoft Azure.11 You’ll work with tools like Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Machine Learning, and knowledge mining to create intelligent applications. The certification also covers data preparation, model integration, and monitoring. Recognized worldwide, this credential shows employers you can apply AI in real business contexts with Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.
Should You Get a Job in AI in 2025?
It really depends on your career goals and interests; however, if you like solving problems using technology, then this may be a great career for you. Artificial intelligence roles remain among the most promising fields today. As of August 2025, data scientist roles alone are projected to surge 36% and pay a median of over $112,590 annually through 2033, according to the BLS.12 If you’re aiming for job growth and a high-paying average salary, AI is where opportunities are thriving.
How to Get a Job in AI FAQ
It isn’t hard to get into artificial intelligence, but it does take more education and training than most IT careers. To land a job working in AI, you will need a solid understanding of math and science to access the many job opportunities available.
To become an AI engineer, you usually need a Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, mathematics, or other related fields. However, you may be able to enter the field with an associate’s degree in an IT-related program or by attending a coding bootcamp for an intensive course in artificial intelligence or machine learning.
Yes, you can become an AI engineer without a degree by pursuing your course of study at a coding bootcamp that offers courses in AI.
It doesn’t take long to get a job in artificial intelligence, especially when you have the skills and experience that a recruiter is looking for. It’s possible to land an entry-level role soon after graduation.
If you are a tech professional who has been in the field for a while, you can get a job quickly with your relevant experience and a strong interview. AI is a growing field with projected continuous growth over the next decade, and the demand for professionals of all levels is high.
Sources:
2 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-architect-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
3 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/ai-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,11.htm
4 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm
5 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/ai-ml-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
6 https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
7 https://www.veritone.com/blog/ai-jobs-growth-q1-2025-labor-market-analysis/
8 https://www.ibm.com/training/badge/ibm-applied-ai-professional-certificate
9 https://www.ibm.com/training/badge/ibm-ai-engineering-professional-certificate
10 https://www.artiba.org/ai-certifications/artificial-intelligence-engineer
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