Artificial intelligence is transforming the job market, and for workers with the right skills, it’s a lucrative opportunity. According to recent research from LinkedIn, AI-related job listings typically advertise salaries of around $177,000, more than double the average non-AI role. However, women are underrepresented in these high-paying positions, making up only 26% of hires in AI jobs in the US in 2025, compared to 50% in non-AI roles.

Women in AI: A Widening Divide

Jackie Cook, founder and CEO of Momentum Group, notes that many women are already doing work that could be considered AI experience without realizing it. They’re redesigning workflows, analyzing data, and building products, but may not think of themselves as ‘AI experts.’ This self-selection can compound with lower AI adoption and employers who narrowly define ‘AI talent,’ making it harder for women to break into these roles.

Cook’s own experience shows that women can succeed in AI without abandoning their existing careers. She learned to use AI tools alongside her existing expertise, rather than starting from scratch. However, women remain underrepresented in many well-paid corners of the economy, and individual confidence can’t erase structural barriers and systemic pitfalls that created these gaps.

The AI Ladder: Narrowing the Gap

Deepika Sidana, a senior manager and enterprise AI leader, highlights the problem as a pipeline issue, not just a lack of technical skills. The entire pipeline, from who’s encouraged to pursue these fields to who gets referred and evaluated fairly during hiring, is stacked against women. Sidana also notes that cultural perceptions of technical confidence and engineering ability still favor men, making it harder for women to prove their competence and access the same opportunities.

In 2024, women in the US earned 85 cents for every dollar earned by men, based on median hourly earnings for full- and part-time workers. Across 27 countries, women hold just 13% of C-suite AI leadership roles at AI companies, according to LinkedIn. This already narrow pipeline becomes even tighter as women climb the corporate ladder, and many aren’t climbing it at all.

Breaking into AI: It’s Not About Starting Over

Cook advises women to start with what they already know and learn enough about AI to understand its capabilities and limitations. They can apply AI tools to problems within their existing field, redesigning workflows or building simple prototypes to demonstrate their skills. This approach is more valuable than an AI course on a resume, as it provides evidence of their ability to work with AI.

Cook’s own experience shows that women can succeed in AI without abandoning their existing careers. She learned to use AI tools alongside her existing expertise, rather than starting from scratch. However, women remain underrepresented in many well-paid corners of the economy, and individual confidence can’t erase structural barriers and systemic pitfalls that created these gaps.

Women who use AI to launch a business are getting real value from the technology. Gusto’s 2026 research found that 54% of women who used AI said it made the process easier, compared to 47% of men. However, the question remains whether enough women are raising their hand and calling their experience ‘AI expertise.’