The new economy sector, which leverages technologies such as the internet, big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to create new products, business formats, and models, is showing signs of a hiring rebound. Recent data from a high-end talent recruitment insights report covering January to February 2026 indicates that the number of new positions in the new economy industry increased by 12.77% year-over-year, while the average monthly salary rose by 9.2%.
A standout trend is the dramatic surge in AI-related job openings, which grew approximately twelvefold compared to the same period last year, firmly establishing AI as the dominant force in the recruitment market. AI positions accounted for 26.23% of all new roles in the new economy sector during the first two months of 2026, a significant increase from just 2.29% in the prior year.
Salaries for AI roles are substantially higher, leading the market. The average monthly salary for new AI positions reached 60,738 yuan, which is 26.04% above the average for the broader new economy sector. The top ten lists for most in-demand, most scarce, and highest-paying positions are all dominated by AI-related roles. Notably, AI Scientists/Heads command the highest average monthly salary of 137,153 yuan.
Regarding talent supply, the overall talent supply-demand ratio in the AI field is 0.97, indicating a near balance. However, significant shortages exist in specific niches. For instance, the ratio for High-Performance Computing Engineers is extremely tight at 0.15, meaning roughly seven companies are competing for each available professional.
Two major trends are elevating the entry barrier for job seekers this spring recruitment season. First, there is a clear "de-juniorization" of the job market, with companies showing a strong preference for candidates who can contribute immediately. Positions requiring over three years of experience constituted 73.34% of new openings, with roles demanding 3-5 years of experience seeing a 19% year-over-year increase. Conversely, entry-level positions requiring less than one year of experience decreased by about 20%, making up only 1.23% of all new roles.
Second, AI competency is becoming a standard workplace requirement. The proportion of new job postings explicitly mentioning "AI" or "large language models" in their descriptions jumped to 34.39% of all new economy positions, up from 22.35% a year ago. Nearly 80% of surveyed professionals reported that their companies have implemented requirements for AI skills, with 35.96% of firms having established clear mandates accompanied by assessment or training programs.
The report also highlights active job-seeking intentions among employed individuals, with 63.62% considering a job change. The primary reasons for seeking new opportunities are "limited career development/promotion prospects" and "dissatisfaction with salary and benefits." Compensation and growth potential remain the core drivers for career moves.
Regarding salary expectations, 46% of job seekers aim for a salary increase exceeding 20% when changing jobs. Specifically, 35.15% expect a raise of 11%-20%, 25.17% target a 21%-30% increase, while 9.4% do not anticipate a salary boost.
When choosing employers, professionals in the new economy sector most prefer "medium-to-large established enterprises," followed by "ultra-large leading corporations." "High-growth small and medium-sized enterprises or startups" rank third, while state-owned enterprises, central government-owned enterprises, public institutions, and foreign companies are less favored.
Furthermore, as AI technology adoption accelerates, corporate demand is rising for roles such as Large Language Model Algorithm experts and AI Product Managers. The position of Large Language Model Algorithm expert tops the list of most recruited roles, with Product Manager and Algorithm Engineer also appearing in the top ten, indicating that companies are not only intensifying AI R&D efforts but are also actively bolstering their product and management talent pools.
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