Artificial Intelligence Engineer has emerged as the fastest-growing job role in Kolkata, according to the latest Jobs on the Rise 2026 report released by LinkedIn. The findings come at a time when Indian professionals are increasingly open to career change, with 72 per cent looking for new roles this year, even as many express concerns about rapidly changing skill requirements and rising competition. The report highlights Kolkata’s growing tilt towards digital capability-building. After AI Engineer, the top roles in the city include Data Analyst, Hotel Manager, Content Strategist and Marketing Coordinator, indicating steady hiring across technology, hospitality, marketing and academic sectors. LinkedIn’s research also shows that while 94 per cent of Indian professionals are comfortable using AI in their job search, nearly half remain unsure about how to stand out when AI-driven tools are used in hiring.
Commenting on the trend, LinkedIn India Career Expert Nirajita Banerjee said Kolkata’s job market is benefiting from an emerging digital economy, with employers seeking adaptable professionals who can combine AI literacy with domain expertise.
Kolkata is witnessing a balanced shift where demand is no longer limited to IT roles alone. Growth in hospitality, education, supply chain and marketing roles suggests that companies in the city are expanding operations and diversifying talent needs. This reflects a broader hiring recovery, supported by digital adoption and service-sector growth, positioning Kolkata as a steadily evolving employment hub in eastern India. The report is based on LinkedIn Economic Graph data analysing millions of job transitions between 2023 and 2025.