While entry-level tech hiring dropped 25% last year, one category exploded: Agentic AI job postings grew 280% year-over-year. Forward Deployed Engineer listings ā a role that didn't exist 3 years ago ā surged over 800% in 2025 alone. Translation: the market didn't die. It moved. And most jobseekers are still preparing for the old one. I put together a 9-page guide breaking down the 6 most in-demand AI roles right now: ā Forward Deployed Engineer (median $185K) ā AI Agent Engineer (~$190K avg, $300K+ top end) ā AI Workflow/Automation Engineer (easiest entry, freelance-friendly) ā RAG/LLM Application Engineer (median $198K) ā LLMOps Engineer (highest ceiling) ā AI Product/Solutions Engineer (builder + communicator) For each one: what you'll actually do, verified salary data (US + India), the exact skill stack in learning order, and a "Proof of Work" project that substitutes for the experience you don't have. Plus a 90-day plan to go from zero to first interviews.