Are Gen Z and Millennials Benefiting From AI Jobs? Here's What The Data Says

Gen Z and Millennials are gaining real ground in the AI job market even as their overall outlook on the economy, politics, and their own financial security keeps darkening.

The AI Anxiety Is Real

An Axios-Generation Lab poll of Americans ages 18 to 34 found deep unease beneath the surface. More than a quarter believe they or someone they know has already lost a job to AI. Nearly all - 96% - worry about covering basics like rent, groceries, gas, or utilities, and 48% rate the national economy as "poor."

That anxiety extends to institutions. Thirty-six percent say they trust neither major political party to bring down living costs, and majorities disapprove of President Trump's job performance and his handling of the Iran conflict. Notably, younger Americans now view socialism more favorably or neutrally than capitalism, a marked generational shift.

Yet the same poll shows growing familiarity, if not full comfort, with AI itself: 71% say they're as comfortable or more comfortable with the technology than they were a year ago. ChatGPT remains dominant, used by 61% in the past month, followed by Gemini (48%) and Claude (20%).

Where They're Actually Winning

A LinkedIn study cited by CNBC found Gen Z workers now account for more than two-thirds of new hires in fast-growing roles like forward-deployed engineer and AI engineer, which carry median salaries of $199,000 and $166,000. Millennials, meanwhile, are landing 60% of new "head of AI" hires, a role paying a median of $236,000.

The broader numbers underscore how lucrative this niche has become: AI job postings on LinkedIn jumped 156% between 2024 and 2025, and the median AI-role salary of $177,000 is more than double the $80,000 median for non-AI jobs.

A Widening Divide

The boom is flowing disproportionately to the highly educated - 91% of workers in AI roles hold at least a bachelor's degree - and unevenly across gender, with women making up just 26% of new AI hires in 2025. Analysts warn the trend could boost pay for a well-educated slice of young workers while widening the gap for everyone else in an already tougher job market.

Two Sides, One Generation

Put together, the two stories describe the same cohort experiencing whiplash. A small niche of Gen Z and millennial workers are cashing in on the AI boom, while a much larger share of their peers feel squeezed by rising costs, job insecurity, and eroding trust in the institutions meant to help them. The AI economy isn't lifting all boats, and young Americans seem acutely aware of it.

Written with AI assistance; edited and fact-checked by the author.

Photo Credit: by Galina Nelyubova, from Unsplash