AI skills command pay premium as employers compete for talent

81% of employers say the adoption of AI technologies has influenced compensation practices for roles in their organisation in the last 12 months
The single biggest challenge in compensating AI-proficient candidates is high market demand and competition (38%)
84% anticipate AI proficiency will continue to drive salary growth in their organisation over the next 1-2 years

Sydney, 12 May 2026 – AI proficiency is rapidly becoming one of the most valuable skills in the job market, with 81% of employers adjusting their compensation practices to attract talent, new independent research by specialised recruiter Robert Half finds.

AI proficiency is translating to more salary

AI skills are increasingly in demand across organisations, with 81% of employers adjusting their compensation practices in response to AI usage in roles across their business. Of those, 32% say they offer significantly higher salaries to candidates with proven AI capabilities.

Only 4% of employers say they haven’t adopted AI or are not hiring for roles requiring AI proficiency.

The AI pay puzzle

While AI skills are commanding higher salaries, employers are grappling with how to price their salaries accurately. Among organisations where AI adoption has already influenced pay, an overwhelming 91% say they face challenges when compensating AI‑proficient candidates.

The single biggest challenges identified by businesses include:

Biggest challenge	% of employers
High market demand and competition	38%
Rapidly evolving skillsets	24%
Budget constraints	18%
Lack of internal salary benchmarks	10%

Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 500 hiring managers in Australia.

AI salary growth to continue

The upward trend in compensation for AI proficiency is expected to persist with a strong majority (84%) of employers anticipating that AI skills will continue to drive salary growth within their organisations over the next one to two years.

In contrast, only 13% of employers believe AI capabilities will have little to no impact on salaries in the near term, while a small minority (3%) remain uncertain, citing the fast-moving nature of AI and its role in business strategy.

“AI proficiency has found its place in the business world, becoming a sought-after skillset, and that shift is now also reshaping how companies structure compensation,” says Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half. “We’re seeing the early stages of a new salary paradigm where not just technology skills, but AI fluency specifically, directly influences earning potential across different roles in businesses.”

“Not only are AI skills driving up salaries, but employers are still unsure how to price them. Companies know they need AI proficient talent, but they’re racing to define what the skillset is worth, which is creating an uneven and fast-moving compensation landscape. To get ahead, organisations should conduct regular market scans, revisit benchmarking tools, and consider long-term skill development strategies to future-proof their workforce planning.”

RobertHalf_AIsalaries_May2026.pdf

Notes to editors

About the research

The study is developed by Robert Half and was conducted online in October 2025 by an independent research company of 500 finance, accounting, IT and technology, and HR hiring managers. Respondents are drawn from a sample of SMEs as well as large private, publicly-listed, and public sector organisations across Australia. This survey is part of the international workplace survey, a questionnaire about job trends, talent management, and trends in the workplace.

About Robert Half

Robert Half is the global, specialised talent solutions provider that helps employers find their next great hire and jobseekers uncover their next opportunity. Robert Half offers both contract and permanent placement services, and is the parent company of Protiviti, a global consulting firm. Robert Half Australia has offices in Brisbane, Melbourne, Melbourne South East, Perth, and Sydney. More information on roberthalf.com/au.   

For more information    

Courtney Fletcher

PR Manager

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