Skill report · GenAI & LLMs
RAG: demand in job postings
RAG is named in 7% of the 28,652 tech job postings Mettlespark read in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days (2,064 postings), most often for AI Engineer at 44%, Applied AI Engineer at 32% and Forward Deployed Engineer at 25%. When a posting names it, 67% 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
- 2,0647% of all postings
- Required when named
- 67%rather than nice to have
- Senior level or above
- 68%of the postings naming it
- Time to learn
- about 30 hoursfrom zero to job-ready, Mettlespark's estimate
Over time
Its share of postings has risen about 5.7 points since October 2023, comparing like with like, and the rise has sped up lately.
The roles that ask for it most
The share of each role's postings that name RAG.
| Role | Share of the role's postings |
|---|---|
| AI Engineer | |
| Applied AI Engineer | |
| Forward Deployed Engineer | |
| Machine Learning Engineer | |
| Data Scientist | |
| MLOps Engineer | |
| Data Architect | |
| Applied Scientist |
Often asked for alongside
The share of postings naming RAG that also name each.
- LLMs85%
- AI Agents80%
- Python73%
- Machine Learning66%
- AWS53%
- Generative AI50%
Industries
Where the postings naming it come from.
- Banking & Financial Services12%
- Enterprise Software & SaaS11%
- Healthcare10%
- AI Research & Foundation Models9%
Learn first
What Mettlespark's learning plans put before RAG:
Quick answers
Is RAG in demand?
RAG is named in 7% of tech job postings in the United States and Canada over the last 180 days, 2,064 postings, and required in 67% of those. Its share of postings has risen about 5.7 points since October 2023, comparing like with like, and the rise has sped up lately.
Which jobs ask for RAG?
AI Engineer, Applied AI Engineer, Forward Deployed Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer postings name it most often: 44% of AI Engineer postings, 32% of Applied AI Engineer postings, 25% of Forward Deployed Engineer postings.
What skills go with RAG?
Postings that name RAG most often also name LLMs, AI Agents, Python and Machine Learning.
What should I learn before RAG?
Mettlespark's learning plans put LLMs and Vector Databases first.
How long does it take to learn RAG?
About 30 hours from zero to job-ready, by Mettlespark's estimate; less with the prerequisites already in hand.