AI skills could mean bigger paychecks for finance talent

Good morning. AI skills aren’t just changing how finance professionals work. They’re also influencing what employers are willing to pay.

Nearly three-quarters of managers (72%) say they are increasing pay for relevant AI skills, and 42% say they offer higher pay for AI-related expertise than for other technical skills, according to Robert Half’s 2027 Salary Guide. Although these findings span professional fields beyond finance and accounting, they underscore how specialized capabilities can influence compensation within a given role.

According to Dawn Fay, operational president of Robert Half, salary expectations are changing as employers compete to attract workers with specialized, in-demand skills.

The premium extends beyond AI. Fifty-seven percent of managers say they are offering higher-than-planned salaries to attract new hires, citing specialized skills as the leading reason.

Finance and accounting salaries are projected to rise by an average of 1.8% in 2027. However, several roles are expected to outpace the broader salary guide’s projected national average increase of 1.9%. These include financial analyst (+3.8%), staff accountant (+3.7%), FP&A manager (+3.6%), assistant treasurer (+3.3%), procurement specialist (+3.3%) and payroll specialist (+3.2%).

These benchmarks reflect projected starting base salaries for new hires, not raises for existing employees. The guide draws on market data, recruiter insights and survey findings from more than 2,000 U.S. hiring managers, business leaders and employed workers.

As companies invest in AI, automation, data analytics and modern financial systems, they need talent that can translate those investments into results. Finance and accounting professionals who can apply AI tools effectively while maintaining accuracy and compliance will be especially valuable. 

The CFO role is expanding to encompass enterprise technology and AI strategy. Building teams capable of supporting those priorities adds another consideration to compensation decisions. But technical proficiency with AI is only part of the equation.

James Tucker, who leads corporate finance and strategy globally at Boston Consulting Group, recently told me that entry-level finance hiring is shifting toward judgment rather than task execution. Junior employees increasingly need to evaluate AI-generated work, not simply produce the numbers themselves.

The question for CFOs, then, is not just how much to pay for AI skills. It’s how to identify and develop the judgment that makes those skills valuable.

Have a good weekend.

Sheryl Estrada
Sheryl.Estrada@fortune.com

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com