Technical and strategic roles alongside those requiring human judgement and connection are on the rise
[SINGAPORE] The fastest-growing jobs in Singapore for 2026 include those that require technical and human skills, according to LinkedIn’s list of jobs on the rise in the city-state released on Wednesday (Jan 7).
With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping employment and the labour market in constant flux, jobs that stand out include technical and strategic roles, such as AI engineers and machine learning researchers, alongside roles requiring human judgment and connection, such as teachers, guidance counsellors and medical officers, said the business social network platform.
Compiled by LinkedIn’s data scientists, the list spotlights some of the fastest-growing roles over the past three years. To rank on the list, jobs had to have positive growth across the platform’s membership base and sufficient postings in the past year.
Singapore’s 15 fastest-growing jobs in 2026 are:
1. AI engineer
Coming in at No 1 is the role of AI engineers, who build and refine AI models that create text, images, audio or code and integrate them into products.
They usually work in industries such as technology, information and Internet, IT services and consulting, as well as media and telecommunications.
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Skills commonly associated with this role include large language models (LLM) and retrieval augmented generation (RAG) skills.
2. Head of AI
Head of AI is second on the list. This role is typically found in industries such as tech, information and Internet, IT services and consulting as well as business consulting and services.
Heads of AI lead companies’ AI strategy and oversee research, model development, platforms and talent.
LLM, RAG and AI strategy skills are commonly associated with this role.
3. Machine learning researcher
In third place stood the role of machine learning researchers, who design and test algorithms to advance machine learning, as well as run experiments and publish findings.
The job is most common in sectors of higher education, research services, technology, and information and Internet.
Skills most commonly associated with the role are using PyTorch, deep learning and convolutional neural networks.
4. Payment operations specialist
This role handles electronic and card payments as well as reconciles transactions and resolves discrepancies.
It is commonly found in the technology, information and Internet, credit intermediation as well as business consulting and services industries.
Skills related to Swift Payments, electronic payments and payment gateways are most commonly associated with this job.
5. Fundraising manager
This job requires one to plan campaigns, write grants and build relationships to secure donations for charities’ missions.
Such roles are commonly found in non-profit organisations, civic and social organisations and the higher education sector.
They usually have skills such as fundraising campaign management, donor engagement and grant writing.
6. Guidance counsellor
This role supports students’ academic, career and emotional development through counselling.
Education, as well as health and human services, are usually the sectors that need this role.
Career counselling skills, expertise in mental health counselling, as well as academic advising are most commonly associated with this job.
7. Teacher
This job is colloquially considered an “iron rice bowl” job – a Chinese expression for jobs that are stable.
Teachers educate and guide students by delivering lessons and fostering learning, and are commonly found in the education, health and human services, and e-learning industries.
Classroom management, lesson planning and curriculum development skills are commonly associated with this job.
8. Quantitative researcher
These researchers develop and analyse models to interpret data and forecast trends in finance or science.
It is usually health and human services, capital markets as well as IT services and consulting that have the need for such researchers.
Quantitative finance, algorithmic trading and statistical research skills are commonly associated with this role.
9. Medical officer
They lead health programmes or facilities, as well as manage budgets, staff, compliance and clinical quality.
These licensed doctors are most commonly found in the military and international affairs sector, the medical industry and higher education.
Their most common skills include emergency medicine, medical education and primary care.
10. Psychologist
These professionals assess, diagnose and treat mental and behavioural disorders using evidence-based therapies.
Skills commonly associated with the role are those of psychological assessment, clinical psychology and congnitive behavioural therapy.
Psychologists usually work for non-profit organisations, medical practices as well as civic and social organisations.
11. Business development manager
These managers expand businesses into new markets, build partnerships and shape plans.
Skills commonly associated with this role are go-to-market strategy skills, account management and market analysis.
This role is most commonly found in research services, non-profit organisations, and the media and telecommunications sector.
12. Strategic adviser
This role provides senior guidance on complex business decisions by weighing options and recommending actions.
Expertise in strategic business advisory, mergers and acquisition and executive coaching are some of the skills needed for this role.
Strategic advisers are most commonly found in sectors of technology, information and Internet, IT services and consulting as well as business consulting and services.
13. Health safety environment engineer
These engineers design and implement systems to keep people and the environment safe, reducing risk and ensuring compliance.
They are most commonly associated with industries such as chemical manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing, as well as computers and electronics manufacturing.
Skills for this role are usually related to health safety environment management systems and hazard identification.
14. Marketing representative
These professionals promote products and services and drive sales through outreach initiatives and demonstrations.
They usually work in the advertising, business consulting and transportation equipment manufacturing industries.
Sales and marketing, cold calling and social media marketing skills are usually needed for such a role.
15. Founder
The role of founders, people who start and build companies, rounds off LinkedIn’s list. It involves shaping a company’s vision, validating problems and securing resources.
This position is most commonly found in the technology space as well as the information and Internet, business consulting and services, and IT services and consulting industries.
Entrepreneurship, business development and business strategy skills are most commonly associated with this role.
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