Skill report · GenAI & LLMs
AI Agents: demand in job postings
AI Agents is named in 22% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (6,282 postings), most often for Applied AI Engineer at 76%, AI Engineer at 72% and Forward Deployed Engineer at 53%. When a posting names it, 78% list it as required.
From 28,652 postings in the United States and Canada, April 23, 2026 to October 20, 2026. Updated October 20, 2026. How we count
- Postings naming it
- 6,28222% of all postings
- Required when named
- 78%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 67%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 35 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has risen about 19.5 points since October 2023, comparing like with like.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name AI Agents.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| Applied AI Engineer | |
| AI Engineer | |
| Forward Deployed Engineer | |
| Applied Scientist | |
| Machine Learning Engineer | |
| Technical Product Manager | |
| MLOps Engineer | |
| Backend Engineer |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming AI Agents that also name each.
- LLMs54%
- Python53%
- Machine Learning45%
- AWS39%
- Observability32%
- CI/CD30%
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Enterprise Software & SaaS12%
- Banking & Financial Services10%
- AI Research & Foundation Models8%
- Healthcare6%
Learn first
What Mettlespark's learning plans put before AI Agents:
Quick answers
Is AI Agents in demand?
AI Agents is named in 22% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 6,282 postings, and required in 78% of those. Its share of postings has risen about 19.5 points since October 2023, comparing like with like.
Which jobs ask for AI Agents?
Applied AI Engineer, AI Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer and Applied Scientist postings name it most often: 76% of Applied AI Engineer postings, 72% of AI Engineer postings, 53% of Forward Deployed Engineer postings.
What skills go with AI Agents?
Postings that name AI Agents most often also name LLMs, Python, Machine Learning and AWS.
What should I learn before AI Agents?
Mettlespark's learning plans put LLMs first.
How long does it take to learn AI Agents?
About 35 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.