Not Very Resilient
Last Update: 8/30/2026
AI Resilience Score for Computer Programmers:
34.5%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Low
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
This result is backed by strong agreement across multiple data sources.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forComputer Programmers
$100,390 median salary•4,400 annual openings•SOC Code: 15-1251.00
Computer Programmers are less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 8 sources.
Computer programming is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because AI tools are already automating many of the routine coding tasks that make up a big chunk of this job, like writing basic code, generating documentation, and running tests. The speed at which AI coding assistants are improving means that the straightforward, repetitive parts of programming are getting easier and easier for machines to handle, which puts pressure on programmers who rely mostly on those skills.
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Computer programming is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because AI tools are already automating many of the routine coding tasks that make up a big chunk of this job, like writing basic code, generating documentation, and running tests. The speed at which AI coding assistants are improving means that the straightforward, repetitive parts of programming are getting easier and easier for machines to handle, which puts pressure on programmers who rely mostly on those skills.
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Computer Programmers
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Computer Programmers jobs?
Right now, AI is mostly augmenting computer programmers rather than replacing them — but the tools are getting more powerful fast. A recent IEEE Computer Society article [1] notes that AI coding assistants can dramatically increase the speed and amount of code generated on any given project or day, yet these front-end time gains can come at a hefty price later in the cycle, including in technical debt, security breaches, and other production nightmares. Researchers analyzing over 300,000 AI-authored code commits found that more than 15% of AI-generated commits introduced quality, security, or maintainability issues, and 24.2% of those issues still existed in the codebase's latest version.
That's exactly why humans are still needed — to catch mistakes AI can't see. Stack Overflow's 2025 developer survey [2] found that more than 84% of respondents used or planned to use AI tools, but only 29% said they trust AI, down 11 percentage points from 2024. According to McKinsey [3], we're moving toward "AI-native" software development where AI helps with architecture, testing, and even real-time learning inside applications — a shift that matches all six of the tasks listed for this role (writing docs, testing, debugging, consulting).
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Computer Programmers?
Adoption is happening quickly because the tools are cheap, widely available, and productivity gains are big — but there are real speed bumps too. Deloitte's 2026 Software Industry Outlook [4] points to financial pressure, agentic AI, and AI-first products intensifying competition and transforming how companies operate, which pushes employers to adopt AI fast. The good news for young people: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [5] projects that the number of software developers is projected to grow by 15.8 percent between 2024 and 2034, an increase of over 267,000 jobs — the largest increase among AI-related occupations.
Even better, UNC's Computer Science department [6] reports that AI is more likely to change job tasks rather than eliminate jobs, and employers increasingly look for "AI-complementary skills" such as digital literacy, teamwork, resilience, and ethical judgment. Slowing adoption are trust and safety concerns: the IEEE Computer Society warns that organizations are increasingly relying on senior software engineers who are overwhelmed by the flood of AI-generated code today and most likely to be in short supply in the years ahead, and Forrester predicts a 20% drop in students enrolling in computer science [1], which could actually make skilled programmers more valuable. The takeaway: routine coding will keep getting automated, but the human skills of judgment, communication, and system-thinking are becoming more important — not less.
Sources
Will AI replace Computer Programmers?
In part. We think AI will eventually automate a real share of this work, but skilled programmers who adapt will still find meaningful paths forward.
Our scorecard gives this role a 34.5% AI Resilience Score, and the data backs up the concern. AI coding tools are already handling large chunks of routine code generation, and adoption is accelerating fast. More than 84% of developers already use or plan to use AI tools [2], and companies are under real financial pressure to automate wherever they can [4]. Routine, repetitive coding tasks are genuinely at risk.
That said, AI is not a clean replacement yet. Researchers found that more than 15% of AI-generated code commits introduced quality, security, or maintainability issues [1], which means human judgment is still doing critical work. The deeper skills, system thinking, debugging complex problems, communicating with non-technical teammates, and making ethical calls, are harder to automate and more valuable than ever.
For anyone starting out, the honest advice is to treat this career as a launching pad rather than a destination. The technical foundation you build transfers well into adjacent roles like AI product management, security, data engineering, and software architecture. Employers increasingly want people who can work alongside AI, not just write code [6]. That combination is genuinely hard to replace.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Computer Programmers
These articles highlight the evolving landscape for computer programmers in light of AI advancements. For instance, Anthropic’s research shows that AI can perform significant portions of programming tasks, indicating a shift in job responsibilities. However, this also means programmers can enhance their skills by focusing on areas where human creativity and oversight are irreplaceable. Embracing AI tools can lead to greater efficiency and innovation, fostering resilience in a changing job market. Staying adaptable and learning to collaborate with AI will be key for future success in this field.
Anthropic Study Reveals Which Jobs Are Most Exposed to Real-World AI Risks
www.investopedia.com • 4/30/2026
Computer programmers, customer service representatives and data entry workers face the highest AI displacement risk today, based on what AI...
Anthropic Study: How AI Is Impacting Tech Jobs and Workers
builtin.com • 4/8/2026
Amid uncertainty about whether artificial intelligence is disrupting the job market, Anthropic has set out to provide some much-needed...
Anthropic's research shows that AI can already do a huge portion of many jobs; its top economist talks about how that could shape the future of work
fortune.com • 4/7/2026
Peter McCrory talks about Anthropic's latest analysis of AI's role in occupations from computer programming to groundskeeping.
Anthropic maps which jobs AI is affecting today | ETIH EdTech News
www.edtechinnovationhub.com • 3/10/2026
Anthropic research reveals which jobs are most exposed to AI using real Claude usage data. The study shows roles like programmers and...
Anthropic is tracking which jobs are most exposed to AI. These 10 professions top the list.
www.cbsnews.com • 3/9/2026
The maker of the Claude chatbot says its research could help identify economic disruptions by measuring how AI is currently reshaping work.
More Career Info
Career: Computer Programmers
They write and test code to create software and applications, making sure everything works smoothly so computers and devices can perform tasks efficiently.
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$100,390
Jobs (2025)
110,800
Growth (2025-35)
-7.3%
Annual Openings
4,400
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Collaborate with computer manufacturers and other users to develop new programming methods.
2
Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel.
3
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
4
Train subordinates in programming and program coding.
5
Train users on the use and function of computer programs.
6
Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs.
7
Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
