Recent data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that real wages and salaries fell by 0.4% year-on-year as of June 2024. By the second quarter of 2026, the share of labor income in the US non-farm business sector output dropped to 52.8%, the lowest level since 1947.
A study by Apollo Global Management indicates that since 2023, real wage growth in occupations highly exposed to AI was 6.7 percentage points slower than in roles with lower exposure. The researchers found no statistically significant impact on total employment numbers, suggesting companies may be suppressing wage growth to capture productivity gains.
Experts note that the current sample size for AI impact studies remains limited. For instance, the Apollo study analyzed only 321 out of approximately 800 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with only 11 classified as highly exposed to AI.
Economic analysts, including those from MIT, emphasize that technology affects roles differently depending on whether it replaces specialized tasks or lowers entry barriers. Historical data shows that while some roles like accounting clerks saw employment decline but wages rise, others like inventory clerks saw employment growth paired with wage decreases.
Economists suggest that AI may disproportionately impact entry-level positions by automating tasks traditionally used for training new staff. This shift could force companies to redesign career paths for young professionals, as current corporate investment remains heavily focused on automation rather than skill augmentation.
