Occupation

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

93 AI exposure

13 Human advantage

71 Market demand

57 AI leverage

Is Software Developers a safe career from AI?

Software Developers scores 93 out of 100 for AI exposure, which is high. A large share of this work is the kind current AI systems are measurably good at. That is not a prediction the job disappears, and the research does not support one. It means more of this role is likely to change than most.

Its human advantage score is 13, which is low. Most of this role can be done through a screen, and that is the half of the labor market AI has reached first. Market demand scores 71 out of 100, combining how many of these jobs exist with where that number is heading. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growing 10.2% over ten years.

What Software Developers pay

The median wage is $133,080 a year. The lower quarter earns under $103,050 and the upper quarter over $169,000. About 1,654,440 people do this work in the United States.

Where Software Developers can go next

Occupations that share most of what this job already requires, ranked by how much carries over.

Computer and Information Research Scientists 88% of the skills carry over $141k median

Data Warehousing Specialists 90% of the skills carry over $136k median

Computer and Information Systems Managers 77% of the skills carry over $171k median

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers 76% of the skills carry over $168k median

Thinking about moving out of Software Developers?

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Where this comes from

Work content and transitions from O*NET, the US Department of Labor's occupational database. Wages and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. AI exposure from published research measuring which occupations current AI capabilities overlap with. None of it is a forecast, and none of these numbers are ours: they are public data, put next to each other.

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