UK Workers with Skills in Artificial intelligence (AI) appears to earn 11% higher on average, even sectors where AI automates parts of their current job functions.
According to PwC’s 2025 Global AI Job Barometer, workers in AI-exposed sectors, where the technology is deployed for certain tasks, are more productive, and command higher salaries. The study, based on a review of nearly one billion job advertisements, found that wages in the industries most exposed to AI are rising twice as quickly. PwC reported
that AI is changing job applicant skills. PwC reports that to be successful in the workplace, candidates will need to have experience with AI tools, as well as the ability to demonstrate collaboration and critical thinking.
Phillippa O’Connor is the chief people officer of PwC UK. She noted that although degrees are still very important for many jobs in the UK, a decrease in degree requirements indicates employers are looking at other measures to assess potential and skills.
PwC reported that in occupations most affected by AI, the skills employers seek are changing 59% more quickly than in occupations less affected by AI. “AI is reshaping jobs markets – lowering entry barriers in some areas while raising the bar for skills required in other areas,” O’Connor said.
Those who have the right AI skills will be rewarded with higher wages. PwC has found that wages in AI-exposed sectors are growing at twice the rate. This includes jobs classified as “automatable”meaning they contain tasks that are easily automated. The occupations that require AI skills will have the highest premiums, with a UK worker’s average premium of 11% in 2024.
AI reshapes the jobs market – lowering entry barriers in some areas while raising the bar for skills required in others. Phillippa O’Connor PwC UK.
PwC’s research shows that sectors exposed AI experience a three-fold increase in revenue generated per employee. PwC’s analysis shows that AI-exposed sectors have a three times higher growth in revenue generated by each employee. Large language models (LLMs), such as generative AI have become mainstream.
The revenue growth per employee in industries most exposed AI, like software, has nearly quadrupled, going from 7% to 27%. Revenue growth per employee for industries least affected by AI, like mining and hospitality, has fallen from 10% to 9%.
Since 2018, however, job postings have grown at a slower rate than those for occupations that are less exposed to AI – and the gap is growing. Umang Paw, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of PwC UK said: “There are many unknowns regarding AI’s potential.” AI can be a boon to those who are willing to adapt, but it could leave others behind.
Paw says there must be a concerted push to increase access to technology and to training in order to ensure that the benefits of AI will be widely shared.
“In this age of intelligence, the fusion between AI and technologies such as real-time data analysis – and business expanding their products and services — will create new industries and job opportunities,” Paw said.
