Decision Skills in the Workforce

As artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of work, decision-making skills—such as problem solving, risk analysis, and strategic thinking—stand out as one of the most enduring and economically valuable human capabilities.

A new report by the Burning Glass Institute, in partnership with the Alliance for Decision Education, analyzes more than 6.8 million U.S. job postings from 2022-2024 to quantify where and how employers demand and reward decision skills across industries and occupations. The findings show that 41% of postings explicitly reference decision-making skills, with prevalence reaching 68% in computer and mathematical occupations. Employers reward these abilities with substantial wage premiums—up to 23% for skills tied to risk and strategic decision-making.

The research offers the first data-driven evidence base connecting decision-making skills to labor market value, highlighting how these skills evolve with career progression and remain a durable advantage in the age of AI.