In a job market that is constantly evolving but has also become much more competitive since the start of the 2025 academic year, finding your way can be complex. Artificial intelligence and geopolitical conflicts are transforming the job market and the job search.
To help you identify trends in the sectors and professions that will be recruiting in 2026, here are the key findings of an annual study conducted by LinkedIn on growing professions.
Based on data from the platform, this ranking—which is inherently incomplete—nevertheless highlights the jobs that have seen the strongest growth in France over the past three years on this now-essential network (growth in members and a significant volume of job offers over the past year).
Top 10 growing professions
| # | Role | What They Do | Key Skills | Main Industries | Top Locations | Gender Split | Median Experience (yrs) | Common Previous Roles | Flexible Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AI Engineers / ML Engineers | Design, build and deploy AI models for prediction, automation and decision-making. | LangChain, RAG, PyTorch | Tech, IT Consulting, Business Services | San Francisco, NYC, Dallas | 23% F / 77% M | 3.7 | Software Engineer, Data Scientist | 26.2% Remote / 27.1% Hybrid |
| 2 | AI Consultants & Strategists | Advise organizations on AI strategy, adoption and operational impact. | LLMs, MLOps, Computer Vision | Tech, Consulting, IT Services | San Francisco, NYC, Boston | 18% F / 82% M | 8.2 | Founder, Product Manager | 30.3% Remote / 32.8% Hybrid |
| 3 | New Home Sales Specialists | Guide buyers through the purchase of newly built homes. | Residential Real Estate, Buyer Representation | Real Estate, Construction | Houston, Dallas, Orlando | 57% F / 43% M | 6.5 | Real Estate Agent, Sales Manager | — |
| 4 | Data Annotators / Content Analysts | Label and review data used to train AI models. | SEO, Content Production | Tech, Staffing, Higher Education | Austin, NYC, San Francisco | 62% F / 38% M | 3.5 | Editor, Data Analyst | 27.5% Remote / 29.4% Hybrid |
| 5 | AI / ML Researchers | Develop and test new AI models and algorithms. | Deep Learning, PyTorch | Tech, Research, Academia | San Francisco, NYC, Boston | 26% F / 74% M | 3.0 | Data Scientist, ML Engineer | 16% Remote / 24.3% Hybrid |
| 6 | Healthcare Reimbursement Specialists | Manage billing and insurance claims for healthcare providers. | Medicare, Prior Authorization | Healthcare, IT Services | NYC, Chicago, Los Angeles | 68% F / 32% M | 8.0 | Medical Biller, Account Manager | 41.5% Remote / 11.3% Hybrid |
| 7 | Strategic Advisors / Independent Consultants | Advise leadership teams on complex strategic decisions. | Executive Advisory, GTM Strategy | Consulting, Tech | NYC, San Francisco, Washington DC | 30% F / 70% M | 8.1 | CEO, Founder, COO | 15.2% Remote / 25.9% Hybrid |
| 8 | Advertising Sales Specialists | Sell advertising inventory across digital and traditional channels. | Media Planning, Paid Social | Media, Advertising, Tech | NYC, Detroit, Atlanta | 50% F / 50% M | 5.6 | Account Executive | 24.5% Remote / 28.6% Hybrid |
| 9 | Founders | Build and scale new businesses. | Startup Leadership, Product Strategy | Tech, Consulting | NYC, San Francisco, LA | 35% F / 65% M | 5.9 | Software Engineer, PM | 51.1% Remote / 30.1% Hybrid |
| 10 | Sales Executives | Lead revenue strategy and sales organizations. | Sales Strategy, C-Level Leadership | Tech, Consulting | LA, NYC, Dallas | 19% F / 81% M | 8.0 | VP Sales, COO | 2.1% Remote / 3.3% Hybrid |
New opportunities on the rise: Which fields are booming?
Certain sectors stand out for their rapidly expanding job prospects over the coming years. While technology continues to set the standard, significant gains are also seen in consulting, healthcare administration, real estate, and sales.
This momentum is driven by growing demand for both advanced technical proficiency and the ability to provide advice, develop strategies, or build lasting relationships with clients and customers.
Where do these rising opportunities concentrate? Major urban centers present the highest concentrations of job openings. Cities such as San Francisco, New York City, Dallas, Boston, Los Angeles, and Houston serve as anchors for hiring in innovative and specialized positions, highlighting the continued influence of geography on professional mobility—even as hybrid and remote work become more common.
Why technology and AI roles lead growth?
Technology jobs are experiencing exceptional growth thanks to advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software development. Positions such as AI consultants, ML researchers, and strategists are increasing quickly as companies seek experts capable of leveraging new algorithms, managing complex data pipelines, or implementing solutions that were considered groundbreaking just a short time ago.
Essential skills include familiarity with tools like PyTorch, LangChain, computer vision methods, and large language models.
This expertise frequently comes from professionals previously holding roles as software engineers, full-stack developers, product managers, or founders. The relative youth of this field, marked by median prior experience ranging from three to eight years, suggests abundant possibilities for early- and mid-career professionals to shape their own upskilling journey within these domains.
Consulting, sales, and human touchpoints remain strong
However, rapid progress is not limited to computers and code. Strategic advisors and independent consultants continue to see steady demand as businesses encounter complex challenges and require tailored guidance.
Skills in executive advisory, market strategy, and partnership building play a crucial role in shaping organizational direction. Those entering consulting often bring entrepreneurial backgrounds—former CEOs, COOs, or founders who offer credibility and nuanced insight.
Likewise, advertising specialists and new home sales professionals excel through direct client interactions. Their responsibilities range from connecting businesses with ideal ad placements to guiding buyers through important transactions.
In these roles, interpersonal skills and robust market knowledge are essential, supported by expertise in social media optimization or buyer representation protocols.
Core skills shaping tomorrow’s workforce
A detailed look at today’s fastest-growing jobs reveals specific skills driving each discipline forward. Understanding which core abilities dominate helps candidates proactively adapt or acquire new competencies vital for maintaining a competitive edge.
Many fields blend traditional industry knowledge with modern agility. Whether negotiating residential real estate deals or mastering content marketing, employees who combine foundational expertise with adaptability prove especially valuable in dynamic environments.
- Technology & AI: Large language models, MLOps, deep learning, computer vision, PyTorch
- Consulting & Advisory: Executive strategy, go-to-market planning, partnership building
- Sales (B2B/B2C): Account management, media planning, brand development
- Healthcare Administration: Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement expertise, managed care processes
- Content Creation & Marketing: SEO copywriting, production management, analytics
Gender distribution and career path diversity
Gender gaps persist, particularly in high-tech and executive roles. Technical and C-level sales positions are predominantly male—sometimes accounting for three-quarters or more of the workforce.
By contrast, healthcare billing, new home sales, and content analysis show much higher female participation, occasionally even reversing the usual trend. Recognizing these disparities highlights areas where inclusion initiatives could have the greatest impact, as organizations strive to align with evolving societal priorities.
Additionally, many professionals transition from adjacent fields.
AI specialists often move from data science or engineering; advisors typically come from senior leadership positions; while healthcare experts usually have backgrounds in related financial or account management roles. This fluidity supports flexible career navigation for those seeking to reinvent their trajectory without starting anew.
Work format: Hybrid, remote, or on-site?
The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to shape office culture, but not all fast-growing careers lend themselves equally to remote arrangements. Founders and some healthcare-oriented roles benefit from significant remote or hybrid options—with nearly half or more of these positions offering flexibility. Conversely, certain executive sales and commissioning roles remain closely tied to physical locations, requiring hands-on operations and in-person oversight.
Geographic hotspots and industry leaders
Tech and business services cluster in the country’s largest cities, while specialized sales and manufacturing increasingly gravitate toward southern hubs like Houston, Orlando, and Dallas.
Media and content-driven roles thrive in Austin, San Francisco, and New York, underscoring centers of creative energy alongside technical expertise.
From an industry perspective, it is clear that the fastest-growing sectors overlap: technology—particularly internet-focused firms—IT services and consulting groups, real estate powerhouses, and specialist consulting networks.
These developments highlight the interconnected nature of today’s job market. Both large organizations and agile startups draw from shared pools of talent, often competing for similar skill sets regardless of their official sector designations.
