Women Represent Only 26% of AI-Skills Hires, Missing Out on $100K+ Salary Premium

NewsData.io · United States · Aug 31, 2026

A new LinkedIn analysis finds that AI job postings in the U.S. have doubled since 2023, yet women filled just 26% of AI-skills roles last year despite representing 50% of non-AI hires. The salary stakes are significant: AI roles average $177,000 annually versus roughly $80,000 for non-AI positions. Women are further underrepresented in senior AI roles — holding only 20% of Head of AI positions and 13% of tech-related C-suite seats at AI companies globally. LinkedIn identifies a "Triple Penalty" effect: simultaneous underrepresentation in leadership, AI roles, and AI-focused companies compounds the career and earnings gap.