Prompt Engineering: One of the Best AI Jobs That Pay Six Figures

AI jobs that pay six figures are becoming increasingly prevalent, and one prime example is the emerging field of prompt engineering. Back in 2017, a report by Dell Technologies and the Institute of the Future predicted that 85% of the jobs that would exist in 2030 hadn’t been invented yet. Now, in 2024, we’re about halfway to that milestone, and while the accuracy of that prediction is still uncertain, the transformation in the job market is undeniable.

Among these transformations, AI jobs that pay six figures, especially in the realm of prompt engineering, are gaining attention. A prompt engineer is an expert in guiding the new generation of generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT or Google Bard, to achieve desired outcomes with minimal technical knowledge required. This role highlights the evolving nature of the job market, where AI jobs that pay six figures are not just about technical prowess but also about the ability to communicate effectively with AI systems.

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What is a prompt engineer?

Generative AI tools – particularly those that are capable of creating text, computer code, and graphics – are causing a great deal of excitement (and a fair bit of worry) right now. This is because they can potentially take care of a lot of the day-to-day grind of workers in many different roles ranging from marketers to HR, law, computer programming, and data analysts.

These sorts of tools put a lot of power in people’s hands, but if everyone has access to the same technology, how can we use it while still expressing our individuality and creativity? And how do we make sure our work stands out above that of other people and creates a competitive edge for our businesses?

This is where prompt engineering skills come in. Learning to get the best results from generative AI is a skill that needs to be learned and honed, just like becoming professionally adept in any other computer software.

Often this can be an iterative process. A vague, general prompt will get a vague, general response, but it’s a start, and from there, it can be refined. I use my human judgment and communication skills to spot what’s lacking in the AI-generated work and refine my prompts until I get the result I want.

What skills are needed?

Many of the skills needed to get the best results from generative AI applications are those that we consider to be soft skills as opposed to hard, technical skills.

First and perhaps foremost are communication skills. I need to be able to express what I want the AI to do in a precise and clear way, just like if I were giving instructions or training to a human workforce.

I also need good organizational skills. I need to be able to identify the individual elements of a piece of work and instruct the AI on how to work through them systematically.

Who is hiring prompt engineers?

Companies ranging from digital advertising agencies to software developers, healthcare providers, and utility companies are advertising for prompt engineers. This ai job that pays six figures is in high demand across many industries.

Time reports that the number of job postings containing GPT rose by 51% between 2021 and 2022.

California AI startup Anthropic says that its roles are a hybrid of “programming, instructing and teaching” and advertises salaries of between $280,000 and $375,000.

How Do I Learn Prompt Engineering?

Although it’s a very new field, there are already a number of courses available online that will teach the ins and outs of prompt engineering.

Online course portal Udemy offers a number of courses in generative AI prompt engineering, including ones focused on mastering ChatGPT and using Midjourney to create AI images.

The Next-Level Prompt Engineering with AI online course promises to teach students to create effective prompts that will give them a competitive edge over everyone else trying to use AI to automate their tasks.

AI Jobs That Pay Six Figures

So you’re interested in landing one of those coveted ai jobs that pay six figures in the emerging field of AI? Here are my top tips:

Develop Your Soft Skills

As mentioned earlier, communication skills, creativity, critical thinking, and project management abilities are valued in prompt engineering roles. Work on honing these human-centric talents if you want to stand out.

Get Hands-On Experience

Beyond taking online courses, actively experiment with platforms like ChatGPT, DALL-E 2, and Stable Diffusion. The more familiarity you build with what these AI tools can do, the better you can become at prompt engineering. Show this experience on your resume.

Learn to Teach AI

Mentoring an AI system in an iterative way is key. Practice giving clear instructions, providing constructive feedback, and breaking down complex tasks. Becoming an effective AI “teacher” is vital.

Tailor Your Background

While technical skills aren’t mandatory, certain backgrounds like writing, data science, teaching, coding can be very relevant. Figure out what transferable experience you have from past jobs or education.

Get Certified

More AI prompt engineering certifications are popping up. Earn credentials from reputable institutions to back up your expertise. This distinguishes you from other candidates.

By mastering in-demand skills, gaining hands-on practice, and supplementing with credentials, you can position yourself as a top contender for those lucrative ai jobs that pay six figures. It takes work, but the opportunities are expanding rapidly.

Conclusion

In summary, prompt engineering is an exciting new ai job that pays six figures with huge potential. The skills needed are more soft skills than technical expertise. And companies across industries are hiring for these roles. With some training, it may be possible to transition into a career as a prompt engineer.