2026 Talent Report

AI & THE NEW ERA OF WORK

AI AND THE NEW ERA OF WORK At the same time that the labor market is rebalancing, the nature of work is changing at an unprecedented pace. The

Unique AI Postings by Industry in GGR

proliferation of AI technologies has reshaped how people work, train, and hire. Job postings referencing AI-related skills in Greater Grand Rapids more than doubled since 2022. Likewise, wages for AI-related positions increased 24% since 2022 and 27% from the previous year – a 66% premium above the region’s median hourly wage of $33.18. Industries across the board are increasingly integrating AI into their workflows to drive efficiency and productivity, and, in turn, companies are increasingly seeking these skills in new employees. In Greater Grand Rapids, public accounting firms, insurance agencies, and manufacturing companies were most likely to require AI-related skills when hiring in 2025.

Source: Lightcast (see appendix for more details)

Unique Job Postings Referencing AI-Related Skills

Median Hourly Wage for AI-Related Positions IN 2025 $55.08 IN 2024 $43.26 IN 2023 $40.55 IN 2022 $44.25

IN 2025 835 IN 2024 436 IN 2023 314 IN 2022 282

60%

WORKERS WHO REGULARLY USE AI IN THEIR ROLES

EXECUTIVES WHO REGULARLY USE AI TO SUPPORT DECISION MAKING

AND

Source: Lightcast (see appendix for more details)

Source: Deloitte, 2026 Global Human Capital Trends

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