The global job market in 2025 is challenging for many young professionals, except for those who have chosen careers in AI. While unemployment rates remain high for recent graduates in most industries, AI has emerged as one of the few sectors where early-career These AI-Skilled 20-Year-old Are Making Millions Per Year salaries in record time.
This article explores why AI jobs for fresh graduates are booming, how entry-level engineers are quickly outpacing peers in other tech fields, and what skills drive this demand.
The Job Market Struggles, But Not in AI
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the unemployment rate for new graduates stood at 4.8% in June 2025, higher than the national average of 4%. The sluggish job market is partly due to automation and AI reshaping traditional roles.
However, those who specialize in machine learning, data science, and AI engineering are seeing the opposite trend. Employers are competing for AI-savvy talent, offering unprecedented compensation to attract young professionals with relevant expertise.
Rising Salaries for Entry-Level AI Talent
A report by Burtch Works, an AI and data science staffing firm, revealed that base salaries for AI professionals with zero to three years of experience increased by 12% between 2024 and 2025, the fastest salary growth across all experience levels.
Even more striking, AI professionals are reaching management roles nearly twice as fast as peers in other technology domains. Skills and impact, not years of seniority, are propelling young engineers up the career ladder.
Machine Learning Engineers vs. Software Engineers
These AI-Skilled 20-Year-old Are Making Millions Per Year
“There is a significant salary difference between a machine-learning engineer and a software engineer,” explains Anil K. Gupta, professor at the University of Maryland. For example:
- Databricks, a leading data analytics company, is expanding its graduate hires, seeking professionals who are “AI-native.”
- Entry-level generative AI research scientists with just two years of experience can earn $190,000–$260,000 base salaries, with stock options and bonuses pushing total compensation well beyond that.
- Many engineers under 25 are already earning over $1 million annually due to the rapid adoption of AI.
The Rise of the “AI-Native” Generation
Ali Ghodsi, CEO of Databricks, highlights a key trend: younger professionals are more adaptable to AI tools compared to older workers who struggle to adopt new systems. This creates a competitive advantage for fresh graduates who grew up with AI-integrated education and training.
Similarly, Jure Leskovec, a Stanford professor and AI startup co-founder, notes that Ph.D. students in their early 20s are leaving academia early to join industry with massive offers. Some secure salaries in the hundreds of thousands without prior corporate experience.
AI Engineers Redefining Software Careers
Many experts believe that AI specialists represent the next generation of software engineers. Their ability to learn, adapt, and leverage AI effectively is creating a widening gap between them and traditional programmers.
According to Levels.fyi, machine-learning engineer roles requiring less than one year of experience can pay upwards of $200,000 annually at major tech firms like Roblox.
Startups and Scale-Ups Hunting Young AI Talent
AI-driven companies are not only hiring aggressively but also going to extremes to retain their talent.
- At Scale AI, around 15% of employees are under 25. Fresh graduates start at $200,000 base salaries, with additional bonuses. These AI-Skilled 20-Year-old Are Making Millions Per Year.
- The company has even threatened legal action against competitors attempting to poach its young engineers.
- Startups like CTGT, founded by a 23-year-old, are staffed with teams averaging just 21 years of age. Employee equity at such companies has already grown into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Real Stories of Young AI Success
- Lily Ma, a 22-year-old Carnegie Mellon graduate, received multiple job offers, including one with 1% equity in a startup , before joining Scale AI.
- Cyril Gorlla, just 23, co-founded CTGT, which already has backing from Google investors. His company even receives applications from talented 16-year-olds with published AI research papers.
These stories show how quickly AI expertise can translate into life-changing opportunities for young professionals.
The Future of AI Careers
The rise of AI-native professionals signals a massive transformation in the tech workforce. In just a few years, the career trajectory for AI engineers has shifted dramatically, offering accelerated promotions, equity-rich offers, and record-breaking salaries for early-career talent.
As AI adoption continues to grow, companies will increasingly value skills, adaptability, and innovation over years of seniority. For ambitious young professionals, AI represents not only a career path but also a gateway to financial independence and industry leadership before 25.
FAQ
Q1. Why are AI jobs paying such high salaries in 2025?
AI jobs offer high salaries because demand for skilled professionals far exceeds supply. Companies are competing for talent that can build and apply machine learning, generative AI, and data science solutions, driving salaries upward.
Q2. How much can entry-level AI professionals earn?
Entry-level AI professionals with 0–3 years of experience can earn $190,000 to $260,000 in base salary, with total compensation often exceeding $200,000–$1 million when stock options and bonuses are included. These AI-Skilled 20-Year-old Are Making Millions Per Year.
Q3. Do you need a Ph.D. to get a high-paying AI job?
No, a Ph.D. is not required. While some researchers with advanced degrees earn big offers, many young AI engineers and developers with strong practical skills land six-figure salaries right after graduation.
Q4. What skills are most in demand for AI careers?
The most in-demand skills include machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), generative AI, data engineering, and Python programming. Adaptability and AI tool proficiency also give candidates an edge.
Q5. Can fresh graduates get AI jobs without industry experience?
Yes. Many companies now hire AI-native graduates straight out of school, valuing their academic research, projects, and internships. Some even receive million-dollar packages before gaining corporate experience.
Q6. Which companies are hiring young AI professionals?
Leading companies like Databricks, Scale AI, Roblox, and Google-backed startups are aggressively recruiting AI talent, with many roles offering six-figure starting salaries and equity options. These AI-Skilled 20-Year-old Are Making Millions Per Year.
Q7. Is AI a future-proof career choice?
Yes, AI is one of the most future-proof careers. As AI adoption spreads across industries, professionals skilled in AI will continue to enjoy high demand, fast promotions, and lucrative salaries.
The main purpose of this post is to educate you. This post is written and reviewed by Rajeev Kumar, a passionate blogger in AI tools and cybersecurity. Thank You for Reading. Please leave a comment on “These AI-Skilled 20-Year-old Are Making Millions Per Year”.
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