Headline risk
19%
Moderate RiskComputer programmers
United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 62% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 98,670
Employment 2024
121.2K
Projected Change (2024–34)
-6.0%
Openings (2024–34)
5.5K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of computer programmers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements. AI use: 96%
- 2. Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic. AI use: 92%
- 3. Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced. AI use: 92%
- 4. Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes. AI use: 0%
- 5. Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct. AI use: 0%
- 6. Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment. AI use: 93%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 42.3 · 381K employed
Under 25: 8% · 25–54: 73% · 55+: 19%
Related
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Mapping quality
crosswalk_exact · employment series present
Narrative & sources
Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.
Programmers usually work in office settings, most commonly in the computer systems design and related services industry. Most computer programmers work full time.
Computer programmers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Most programmers specialize in several programming languages.
The median annual wage for computer programmers was $98,670 in May 2024.
Employment of computer programmers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Published limitations
This page shows the local country layer, not realised individual job outcomes. The global structural baseline is shared across countries; only the local demand and wage layer changes here.
Built from O*NET occupation descriptions, task statements, technology skills, work context, Job Zones, Anthropic task penetration, BLS OEWS wages, BLS projection tables, BLS ORS requirements, BLS OOH narrative content, BLS skills data, and BLS CPS occupation age tables.