Skill report · GenAI & LLMs
LLMs: demand in job postings
LLMs is named in 20% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (5,615 postings), most often for AI Engineer at 72%, Applied AI Engineer at 62% and Machine Learning Engineer at 55%. When a posting names it, 74% 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
- 5,61520% of all postings
- Required when named
- 74%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 65%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 50 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has risen about 4.1 points since October 2023, comparing like with like, but it has turned down lately.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name LLMs.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| AI Engineer | |
| Applied AI Engineer | |
| Machine Learning Engineer | |
| Applied Scientist | |
| MLOps Engineer | |
| Forward Deployed Engineer | |
| Data Scientist | |
| Research Scientist (ML) |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming LLMs that also name each.
- Python64%
- Machine Learning61%
- AI Agents60%
- AWS40%
- Generative AI34%
- Observability32%
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- AI Research & Foundation Models12%
- Banking & Financial Services10%
- Enterprise Software & SaaS9%
- Healthcare7%
Learn first
What Mettlespark's learning plans put before LLMs:
Quick answers
Is LLMs in demand?
LLMs is named in 20% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 5,615 postings, and required in 74% of those. Its share of postings has risen about 4.1 points since October 2023, comparing like with like, but it has turned down lately.
Which jobs ask for LLMs?
AI Engineer, Applied AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer and Applied Scientist postings name it most often: 72% of AI Engineer postings, 62% of Applied AI Engineer postings, 55% of Machine Learning Engineer postings.
What skills go with LLMs?
Postings that name LLMs most often also name Python, Machine Learning, AI Agents and AWS.
What should I learn before LLMs?
Mettlespark's learning plans put Python first.
How long does it take to learn LLMs?
About 50 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.