Pre-baseline edition · Q3 2026 · data frozen 2026-11-06 · updated 2026-11-08
Future of Jobs index, Q3 2026: what job ads ask for in Indonesia and in global remote work
Pre-baseline edition. We classified 16,949 global remote job ads and 5,851 Indonesian job ads from July to September 2026 into 19 job families and measured AI-skill demand, remote reach, pay transparency and seniority. Every figure shows its sample size; small samples are withheld. Data CC BY 4.0.
What the ads show this quarter
- 10.8% of global remote ads name at least one AI skill (n = 16,949), against 0.5% of Indonesian ads with full text (n = 995).
- Outside AI roles themselves, the asks are spread thin: the highest family share is in IT infrastructure and security at 15.5% (n = 998).
- The two markets hire for different work. Software engineering is the largest classified family in global remote ads (14.3%); in Indonesia it is Hospitality and retail (14.3%).
- 26.1% of global remote ads state pay (n = 16,949). Where they do, the median is $182,500 a year (n = 4,401).
- 42.8% of global remote ads are open to any country (n = 16,949); the rest limit the region.
- 37.0% of global remote titles are senior, against 9.7% in Indonesia.
This is the pre-baseline edition. It reports levels and shares for one quarter. It does not report an index value or a change against an earlier quarter.
Pre-baseline, Q3 2026: global remote ads asking for an AI skill, by job family
Source: LokerDollar analysis, aggregated. Families with fewer than 400 ads are left out.
Share of postings by job family
Pre-baseline, Q3 2026. Each family's share of its panel. n is the panel size.
| Job family (ISCO-08 major group) | Global remote | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| AI and machine learning(2) | 5.0%n = 16,949 | 0.4%n = 5,851 |
| Software engineering(2) | 14.3%n = 16,949 | 6.8%n = 5,851 |
| Data and analytics(2) | 5.6%n = 16,949 | 3.1%n = 5,851 |
| IT infrastructure and security(2) | 5.9%n = 16,949 | 4.5%n = 5,851 |
| Product and project management(2) | 4.4%n = 16,949 | 1.0%n = 5,851 |
| Design and creative(2) | 3.1%n = 16,949 | 1.3%n = 5,851 |
| Marketing and content(2) | 6.6%n = 16,949 | 6.3%n = 5,851 |
| Sales and business development(3) | 12.3%n = 16,949 | 11.9%n = 5,851 |
| Customer support(4) | 3.1%n = 16,949 | 0.9%n = 5,851 |
| Finance and accounting(2) | 4.4%n = 16,949 | 3.1%n = 5,851 |
| HR and recruiting(2) | 2.6%n = 16,949 | 1.0%n = 5,851 |
| Legal and compliance(2) | 1.9%n = 16,949 | 0.3%n = 5,851 |
| Operations and administration(4) | 3.3%n = 16,949 | 4.0%n = 5,851 |
| Healthcare(2) | 4.4%n = 16,949 | 1.9%n = 5,851 |
| Education and training(2) | 0.2%n = 16,949 | 4.3%n = 5,851 |
| Logistics and supply chain(8) | 0.4%n = 16,949 | 4.5%n = 5,851 |
| Trades and manufacturing(7) | 0.3%n = 16,949 | 2.4%n = 5,851 |
| Hospitality and retail(5) | 0.2%n = 16,949 | 14.3%n = 5,851 |
| Other or unclassified titles | 21.9%n = 16,949 | 27.9%n = 5,851 |
| All postings | 100.0%n = 16,949 | 100.0%n = 5,851 |
Source: LokerDollar analysis, aggregated.
Postings that ask for at least one AI skill
Pre-baseline, Q3 2026. Share of postings with full text whose title or text names an AI skill (six skill groups). n is the family's postings with full text.
| Job family (ISCO-08 major group) | Global remote | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| AI and machine learning(2) | 40.7%n = 852 | sample too smalln = 23 |
| Software engineering(2) | 14.0%n = 2,424 | sample too smalln = 328 |
| Data and analytics(2) | 12.6%n = 944 | sample too smalln = 129 |
| IT infrastructure and security(2) | 15.5%n = 998 | sample too smalln = 184 |
| Product and project management(2) | 12.7%n = 746 | sample too smalln = 52 |
| Design and creative(2) | 6.5%n = 522 | sample too smalln = 20 |
| Marketing and content(2) | 6.4%n = 1,120 | sample too smalln = 1 |
| Sales and business development(3) | 8.1%n = 2,089 | sample too smalln = 25 |
| Customer support(4) | 8.0%n = 523 | sample too smalln = 1 |
| Finance and accounting(2) | 4.6%n = 746 | sample too smalln = 7 |
| HR and recruiting(2) | 3.9%n = 441 | sample too smalln = 2 |
| Legal and compliance(2) | sample too smalln = 322 | sample too smalln = 3 |
| Operations and administration(4) | 6.2%n = 563 | sample too smalln = 18 |
| Healthcare(2) | 0.5%n = 753 | sample too smalln = 0 |
| Education and training(2) | sample too smalln = 37 | sample too smalln = 1 |
| Logistics and supply chain(8) | sample too smalln = 63 | sample too smalln = 0 |
| Trades and manufacturing(7) | sample too smalln = 50 | sample too smalln = 30 |
| Hospitality and retail(5) | sample too smalln = 41 | sample too smalln = 1 |
| Other or unclassified titles | 8.1%n = 3,715 | sample too smalln = 170 |
| All postings | 10.8%n = 16,949 | 0.5%n = 995 |
Source: LokerDollar analysis, aggregated.
Remote postings open worldwide
Pre-baseline, Q3 2026. Share of global remote postings open to any country; the rest are limited to a region or a list of countries. n is the family's postings.
| Job family (ISCO-08 major group) | Open worldwide |
|---|---|
| AI and machine learning(2) | 41.0%n = 852 |
| Software engineering(2) | 46.9%n = 2,424 |
| Data and analytics(2) | 42.7%n = 944 |
| IT infrastructure and security(2) | 48.5%n = 998 |
| Product and project management(2) | 47.5%n = 746 |
| Design and creative(2) | 43.1%n = 522 |
| Marketing and content(2) | 45.2%n = 1,120 |
| Sales and business development(3) | 42.3%n = 2,089 |
| Customer support(4) | 40.2%n = 523 |
| Finance and accounting(2) | 41.0%n = 746 |
| HR and recruiting(2) | 32.9%n = 441 |
| Legal and compliance(2) | sample too smalln = 322 |
| Operations and administration(4) | 40.3%n = 563 |
| Healthcare(2) | 25.1%n = 753 |
| Education and training(2) | sample too smalln = 37 |
| Logistics and supply chain(8) | sample too smalln = 63 |
| Trades and manufacturing(7) | sample too smalln = 50 |
| Hospitality and retail(5) | sample too smalln = 41 |
| Other or unclassified titles | 44.0%n = 3,715 |
| All postings | 42.8%n = 16,949 |
Source: LokerDollar analysis, aggregated.
Pay transparency, global remote
Pre-baseline, Q3 2026. Disclosed: share of postings where the employer states pay. Median: midpoint of the stated range, converted to US dollars per year; n is the postings with a convertible stated range.
| Job family (ISCO-08 major group) | Pay stated | Median, USD a year |
|---|---|---|
| AI and machine learning(2) | 31.6%n = 852 | sample too smalln = 268 |
| Software engineering(2) | 29.0%n = 2,424 | $206,981n = 702 |
| Data and analytics(2) | 27.0%n = 944 | sample too smalln = 255 |
| IT infrastructure and security(2) | 29.9%n = 998 | sample too smalln = 296 |
| Product and project management(2) | 30.2%n = 746 | sample too smalln = 225 |
| Design and creative(2) | 24.1%n = 522 | sample too smalln = 126 |
| Marketing and content(2) | 27.8%n = 1,120 | sample too smalln = 309 |
| Sales and business development(3) | 24.4%n = 2,089 | $177,000n = 508 |
| Customer support(4) | 25.0%n = 523 | sample too smalln = 131 |
| Finance and accounting(2) | 28.7%n = 746 | sample too smalln = 213 |
| HR and recruiting(2) | 29.0%n = 441 | sample too smalln = 128 |
| Legal and compliance(2) | sample too smalln = 322 | sample too smalln = 108 |
| Operations and administration(4) | 27.4%n = 563 | sample too smalln = 152 |
| Healthcare(2) | 10.6%n = 753 | sample too smalln = 80 |
| Education and training(2) | sample too smalln = 37 | sample too smalln = 1 |
| Logistics and supply chain(8) | sample too smalln = 63 | sample too smalln = 21 |
| Trades and manufacturing(7) | sample too smalln = 50 | sample too smalln = 11 |
| Hospitality and retail(5) | sample too smalln = 41 | sample too smalln = 10 |
| Other or unclassified titles | 23.2%n = 3,715 | $179,000n = 857 |
| All postings | 26.1%n = 16,949 | $182,500n = 4,401 |
Source: LokerDollar analysis, aggregated.
Senior and entry-level titles
Pre-baseline, Q3 2026. Senior: the title names senior, staff, principal, lead, head, director or VP. Entry: junior, intern, entry level or graduate. n is the family's postings in that panel.
| Job family (ISCO-08 major group) | Global remote, senior | Global remote, entry | Indonesia, senior | Indonesia, entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI and machine learning(2) | 43.2%n = 852 | 2.3%n = 852 | sample too smalln = 26 | sample too smalln = 26 |
| Software engineering(2) | 49.0%n = 2,424 | 2.8%n = 2,424 | sample too smalln = 396 | sample too smalln = 396 |
| Data and analytics(2) | 40.0%n = 944 | 3.3%n = 944 | sample too smalln = 182 | sample too smalln = 182 |
| IT infrastructure and security(2) | 44.6%n = 998 | 1.6%n = 998 | sample too smalln = 262 | sample too smalln = 262 |
| Product and project management(2) | 47.3%n = 746 | 1.1%n = 746 | sample too smalln = 60 | sample too smalln = 60 |
| Design and creative(2) | 48.7%n = 522 | 2.3%n = 522 | sample too smalln = 78 | sample too smalln = 78 |
| Marketing and content(2) | 42.9%n = 1,120 | 3.7%n = 1,120 | sample too smalln = 367 | sample too smalln = 367 |
| Sales and business development(3) | 24.2%n = 2,089 | 1.3%n = 2,089 | 5.2%n = 695 | 1.9%n = 695 |
| Customer support(4) | 16.8%n = 523 | 1.7%n = 523 | sample too smalln = 55 | sample too smalln = 55 |
| Finance and accounting(2) | 42.0%n = 746 | 5.2%n = 746 | sample too smalln = 184 | sample too smalln = 184 |
| HR and recruiting(2) | 27.9%n = 441 | 3.4%n = 441 | sample too smalln = 58 | sample too smalln = 58 |
| Legal and compliance(2) | sample too smalln = 322 | sample too smalln = 322 | sample too smalln = 17 | sample too smalln = 17 |
| Operations and administration(4) | 28.1%n = 563 | 2.3%n = 563 | sample too smalln = 236 | sample too smalln = 236 |
| Healthcare(2) | 32.8%n = 753 | 4.0%n = 753 | sample too smalln = 113 | sample too smalln = 113 |
| Education and training(2) | sample too smalln = 37 | sample too smalln = 37 | sample too smalln = 253 | sample too smalln = 253 |
| Logistics and supply chain(8) | sample too smalln = 63 | sample too smalln = 63 | sample too smalln = 264 | sample too smalln = 264 |
| Trades and manufacturing(7) | sample too smalln = 50 | sample too smalln = 50 | sample too smalln = 139 | sample too smalln = 139 |
| Hospitality and retail(5) | sample too smalln = 41 | sample too smalln = 41 | 7.2%n = 835 | 1.3%n = 835 |
| Other or unclassified titles | 32.9%n = 3,715 | 5.3%n = 3,715 | 14.0%n = 1,631 | 2.4%n = 1,631 |
| All postings | 37.0%n = 16,949 | 3.3%n = 16,949 | 9.7%n = 5,851 | 2.9%n = 5,851 |
Source: LokerDollar analysis, aggregated.
Not in this edition, and why
- Index values and quarter-on-quarter change. This is the pre-baseline edition. The Q4 2026 edition sets the baseline (= 100); index values start with Q1 2027 on a panel of sources live in both quarters.
- Skill churn inside each job family. Churn compares a family's top skills with the previous edition. Q3 2026 is the first frozen quarter, so the first churn figures arrive with Q4 2026.
- Exposure to generative AI by job family. Crossing published exposure scores with measured AI-skill demand needs a reviewed occupation-level mapping. It is planned for the baseline edition.
- Pay transparency in Indonesia. The Indonesian postings in this quarter carry no structured pay field, so disclosure and medians are shown for the global remote panel only.
- Check against official statistics. The national labour force survey is semi-annual, so one quarter gives a direction check at most and supports no correlation. The check is pending and no official figure is used in this edition.
Method, and what job ads cannot show
What ads cannot show. A job ad is demand an employer chose to publish. It says nothing about who was hired, about informal work, about roles filled inside a company, or about jobs never advertised online. Our sources lean to employers that post online, and the global panel leans to remote-friendly employers. Read every share as a share of published ads, not of jobs.
Data. All figures come from one frozen copy of the quarter (ads first collected from 1 July to 30 September 2026), saved on 2026-11-06 and never edited, so the edition can be rebuilt exactly. The global remote panel is ads that are remote, open worldwide or to a region, with an external source, excluding volunteer posts and ads that failed our scam review. The Indonesia panel is ads from Indonesian job board feeds plus archived captures of Indonesian job boards from the same quarter. Within each panel, a repeat of the same title at the same employer counts once (1,875 global and 412 Indonesian repeats removed). Archived captures carry no ad text, so the Indonesian AI-skill share uses feed ads only.
Job families. A rule-based title classifier (version lens-v2-2026-10) puts each ad in one of 19 home-grown job families. In November 2026 we scored it against a reference set of 500 ads from this quarter, labelled blind by two AI models that agreed on 94% of ads (Cohen’s kappa 0.94), with a third pass settling the disagreements. That reference is made by AI, not by people. The classifier matches it on 65% of ads (macro-F1 0.68). It puts too many ads in the residual “other” group (65 of 497 sample ads, where the reference has 12) and finds only 50% of software engineering ads and 39% of IT infrastructure and security ads. Read the family shares in this edition as approximate: “other” is overstated and the engineering families are understated. The baseline edition uses an upgraded classifier scored against the same reference.
AI skills. An ad counts when its title or the first 4,000 characters of its text name a skill in one of six groups: agent orchestration, prompt engineering, AI evaluation and testing, retrieval and vector databases, model operations and inference, and AI governance (taxonomy v2-2026-07). Mentions of AI that name none of these skills do not count. The skill terms are mostly English, so ads written in Indonesian may be undercounted; read the Indonesian share as a lower bound.
Pay and seniority. Pay counts as stated when the employer prints an amount; amounts estimated by us are excluded. The median uses the midpoint of the stated range, converted to US dollars a year. Seniority is read from the title only.
Sample sizes. Every figure shows its n. A cell with n under 400 is shown as “sample too small”; at n = 400 a share is good to about ±5 percentage points at 95% confidence.
Official occupation groups. Each family maps to its main ISCO-08 major group (crosswalk isco08-major-v1-2026-11), shown in brackets in the tables, so the shares can be set beside official labour statistics. Some families straddle two groups.
Family to ISCO-08 crosswalk
| Job family | ISCO-08 major group |
|---|---|
| AI and machine learning | 2 Professionals |
| Software engineering | 2 Professionals |
| Data and analytics | 2 Professionals |
| IT infrastructure and security | 2 Professionals; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| Product and project management | 2 Professionals; partly 1 Managers |
| Design and creative | 2 Professionals; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| Marketing and content | 2 Professionals; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| Sales and business development | 3 Technicians and associate professionals; partly 5 Service and sales workers |
| Customer support | 4 Clerical support workers |
| Finance and accounting | 2 Professionals; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| HR and recruiting | 2 Professionals; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| Legal and compliance | 2 Professionals |
| Operations and administration | 4 Clerical support workers; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| Healthcare | 2 Professionals; partly 3 Technicians and associate professionals |
| Education and training | 2 Professionals |
| Logistics and supply chain | 8 Plant and machine operators, and assemblers; partly 4 Clerical support workers |
| Trades and manufacturing | 7 Craft and related trades workers; partly 8 Plant and machine operators, and assemblers |
| Hospitality and retail | 5 Service and sales workers |
| Other or unclassified titles | Not mapped |
Aggregate dataset (CC BY 4.0)
Every table cell on this page, one row each, with its value, count, n and a flag for withheld cells. No ad text and no employer names.
Future of Jobs Q3 2026 tables (CSV)Cite as: Desman, K. (2026). Future of Jobs index, Q3 2026 (pre-baseline edition). LokerDollar Research. https://lokerdollar.com/en/research/future-of-jobs-2026-q3