East vs. West: The Coasts Continue To Drive AI & Data Science Hiring:
Not surprisingly, remote AI roles grew by another nine percentage points. While geographic pay differentials narrowed by +/- 4 percentage points, San Francisco and New York continue to be where pay premiums persist. This makes them an opportune location for job seekers to find their next opportunity. Â
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Women in AI, Data Science And Tech Are On The Rise:
Regardless of region, the wage gap between genders is real— but so is the chance to close it. With transparent data, evidence-based benchmarks, and intentional action, organizations can future-proof their hiring strategies while professionals can secure the recognition and pay they deserve. Together, we can make 2025 the year when equity becomes not only achievable, but advantageous.
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With a positive outlook ahead and growing educational trend towards the field, the 2024 Artificial Intelligence Index Report states, "women accounted for 24.1% of Computer Science PhD graduates in 2022–23 and 25.9% in 2023–24. Deloitte predicts the experimentation with and use of generative AI by women will reach or surpass that of men in the United States by the end of 2025, with parity likely to be achieved within the following year.
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While our 2025 Compensation Report shows that pay gaps between men and women in Data Science and AI roles still exist, forward-thinking organizations see this challenge as an opportunity.
For hiring managers, addressing inequities isn’t just about fairness — it’s a competitive advantage. Teams that actively review and adjust compensation attract a broader pool of top talent, improve retention, and enhance employer brand reputation. By taking the lead on pay equity, you position your company as a top destination for innovators who value inclusion as much as impact.
For talent, especially women in AI and Data Science, today’s market offers a moment of leverage. As skills like Applied LLM Engineering, MLOps, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation grow in demand, professionals who demonstrate technical expertise and leadership in these areas are well-equipped to advocate for competitive pay and advancement opportunities.