ChatGPT has now been available for public use for more than half a year, and recent surveys have shown that businesses are prioritizing the hiring of “prompt engineers” who have experience working with these types of AI tools.
In order to find out if workers who have developed prompt engineering skills have seen any significant payoffs over the past few months, in June, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed 1,000 U.S. workers. All respondents work full-time in a corporate-type environment.
Key findings:
- 1 in 5 workers with ChatGPT experience are making $20K+ more than 6 months ago
- The majority say the pay increases were likely due to their experience with AI tools
- Those with AI skills have seen much larger pay increases compared to those without
- 86% of workers surveyed say AI skills are in demand in today’s job market
18% of Workers With AI Skills Earning $20K+ More Compared to 6 Months Ago
Of respondents with ‘some’ or ‘a lot’ of experience with AI tools, 57% are making more than they were six months ago, 5% are making less, and 38% are making the same amount. Nearly 1 in 5 respondents (18%) are even making $20,000 or more above their salary of six months ago.
“Clearly, and as our previous survey data has shown, employers are increasingly valuing AI skills and the ability of their employees to use them to increase productivity and keep their company cutting edge,” comments Chief Career Advisor, Stacie Haller.
“Employers are looking for these skills within their workforce as well as in the hiring process,” she continues. “Those who demonstrate their ability to contribute to the goals of the company by developing this new skill set will rise through the ranks and be paid accordingly.”
On Average, Workers With AI Skills Received 73% Larger Pay Increase Than Those Without AI Skills
Of respondents with ‘little to no’ experience with AI tools, 49% are making more than they were six months ago, 5% are making less, and 46% are making the same amount.
When comparing respondents with AI skills who had their pay increase to respondents without AI skills who had their pay increase, those with AI skills, on average, received a 73% larger pay increase than those without.
“In 2023, my team and I successfully implemented several transformative projects focused on people-related initiatives,” comments Taylor Bradley, Sr. Director of HR at Turing.com. “The augmented support provided by tools like ChatGPT played a crucial role in our achievements.
“The significant business impact generated from these initiatives resulted in multiple advanced performance ratings and corresponding financial investments by the company into our team and its proposed programs for the remainder of the year,” Bradley continues.
“As an HR leader, I now include experience with ChatGPT-type tools as a requirement in all job postings for my team. Such skills are not intended to replace human expertise but rather to enhance it. My goal is to ensure that my team members possess the skills to effectively leverage such tools to drive impact for both team members and the business,” Bradley explains.
Workers With ChatGPT Experience Credit AI Skills For Recent Pay Raises
Among respondents who have AI experience and are making more than they were six months ago, 12% report that their pay raise was the result of starting a new position, while 86% got a promotion and/or raise at their current company.
Of respondents who got a promotion and/or raise with their current employer, 72% say they used AI tools before their pay raise. Eighty-nine percent of this group say it is likely that they earned their pay raise because of their experience with AI tools.
“Learning ChatGPT skills over the past six months has been a game-changer for me,” says Joseph Morgan, Head of Marketing at AvogTal. “It has opened doors to more job opportunities and improved my prospects in the market.
“I have successfully applied for better positions and even secured a raise due to my proficiency with ChatGPT. The demand for ChatGPT skills is undoubtedly high, as organizations recognize the value of AI-driven communication and automation. Mastering ChatGPT has empowered me to navigate the evolving job landscape with confidence and seize rewarding career advancements,” Morgan explains.
Among respondents who got a new job with a higher salary, all had used AI tools before starting their new role and 94% say they currently use AI tools at their new job. Eighty-one percent of respondents in this group say AI experience was part of the job description for their new role while 19% say AI experience was not required, but they demonstrated how they could use AI in the role.
Ninety-eight percent of this group believes it is likely that their experience with AI tools helped them secure their new job.
“As a CEO, witnessing the development of ChatGPT skills among our workforce over the past six months has been truly transformative,” says Onur Kutlubay, CEO at YouParcel. “Our employees who have acquired these skills have experienced a significant boost in their job opportunities, enabling them to apply for more prestigious positions and take on higher-level responsibilities.
“Moreover, these skills have contributed to their professional growth, resulting in well-deserved raises and promotions. The demand for ChatGPT skills is undeniable, as it empowers businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences and drive innovation,” adds Kutlubay.
86% of Workers Believe AI Skills Are in Demand
All respondents, regardless of their level of reported AI experience, were asked if they believe AI skills are in demand in today’s job market. Eighty-six percent say AI skills are ‘highly’ (41%) or ‘somewhat in demand’ (46%) while only 7% say they are ‘not in demand.’
“The message is clear for job seekers: AI is a skill employers are looking for and they will be willing to hire those who can demonstrate their mastery of these skills,” Haller says. “Eventually, AI skills may become required, just like Microsoft Office. Now, organizations with in-house knowledge of AI and its applications are working to retain and reward those employees in an effort to pull ahead of their competitors,” she finishes.
Methodology
This survey was commissioned by ResumeBuilder.com and conducted online by the survey platform Pollfish from June 23-24, 2023. In total, 1,000 participants in the U.S. completed the full survey. All participants had to pass through demographic filters to ensure they were currently age 18 or older, employed for wages, and had a household income of at least $50,000 per year.
Additionally, respondents were screened to include only full-time workers in an office or corporate-type environment. Quotas were set for one-third of respondents with a lot of experience with AI tools, one-third with some experience, and one-third with little or no experience.
The survey used a convenience sampling method, and to avoid bias from this component Pollfish employs Random Device Engagement (RDE) to ensure both random and organic surveying. Learn more about Pollfish’s survey methodology or contact [email protected] for more information.
