Women Make Up Only 26% of AI Hires Despite Comprising Half of Non-AI Hires, LinkedIn Research Finds

HR Dive · United States · Aug 21, 2026

A new LinkedIn study finds women represented just 26% of AI hires in 2025 and hold only 13% of C-suite AI leadership roles across 27 countries, with the gender gap widening at higher pay levels. AI roles on LinkedIn have roughly doubled since 2023, with average salaries of $177,000 versus $80,000 for non-AI positions. The findings carry direct implications for staffing firms placing tech and executive talent, as client demand for AI roles surges while the qualified female candidate pipeline remains constrained. Additional research highlights that women also disproportionately occupy AI-vulnerable roles, creating a dual workforce challenge for recruiters.