The Best AI Jobs Are No Longer Concentrated in Silicon Valley – Report
The best jobs in artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer concentrated in Silicon Valley, according to a new report from Resume.ai.
By analyzing 45,000 AI job postings from LinkedIn across all 50 states, Resume.ai discovered that Montana led in the AI job market, with Alaska, New York and Massachusetts close behind.
"Some of the biggest tech firms have shifted operations to other states for one simple reason: taxes and growth," Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek.
He added: "Add in the rise of remote work, and you no longer need to be in Silicon Valley to build or work in AI. Talent can live anywhere now, and companies are following that trend."
Why It Matters
Artificial technology has pervaded into nearly all sectors, impacting everything from the workforce to education and dating.
While historically tech jobs have been centered in hubs like San Francisco, the rise of remote work has caused that to change, with more lucrative opportunities being available in lower-cost-of-living states.
What To Know
Montana topped the list with an average yearly AI job salary of $223,288, more than double the national average. Alaska, New York and Massachusetts also boasted high salaries, offering both entry-level and senior professionals six figures.
Alaska AI jobs offered $148,000 roughly in salary, while New York's average was around $141,000.
The three states with the most AI positions open, however, were Louisiana, Wyoming and Illinois.
Of those listed, 65 percent were on-site, 25 percent were hybrid and 10 percent were remote. The top paying AI roles were machine learning engineers, AI research scientists and NLP specialists.
Even many of the entry-level roles in premium states could exceed six figures.
Generally, job listings looked for knowledge of generative AI platforms such as Claude, Cursor and Anthropic both among larger companies and startups.
What People Are Saying
Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek:"The AI industry is in hyper-growth mode, and companies are now chasing talent wherever it lives. The workforce is being rewarded accordingly as specialized AI roles are commanding strong pay, and firms aren't limiting themselves to one geographic hub anymore."
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "When most think of jobs relating to artificial intelligence, they link those thoughts to Silicon Valley because it’s been the most widely known technology hub for decades in the United States. However, many would be surprised to see the significant investments other locations are making in AI. States like Louisiana and Montana have seen a sizable uptick in job openings pertaining to AI thanks to an array of nearby data centers and partnerships between public and private sectors that have boosted positions in the field."
What Happens Next
Long term, some people see AI driving GDP growth and domestic productivity, while others view it as a harbinger of job losses, wage pressure and economic inequality.
"Those views spill directly into real estate: one scenario supports rising housing demand and wealth creation across multiple regions, while the other raises the risk of declining demand and concentrated pockets of economic struggle," Thompson said.
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This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM.