Software Developers: how much of the work does AI already do?

What this means for your search

Learn AI tools alongside your other skills. Part of the work is already changing.

See open software developers jobsBuild AI skills

Median pay

$135,980

What the job involves

• Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
• Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
• Confer with data processing or project managers to obtain information on limitations or capabilities for data processing projects.
• Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.

Related jobs that pay more or are less exposed

Chosen by overlap in skills and knowledge with software developers, so the move uses what you already know.

• Computer Hardware Engineers

  Pays about $26,000 more (median $161,740). AI use is lower: 15% of tasks.

• Computer and Information Systems Managers

  Pays about $39,000 more (median $175,140). AI use is lower: 16% of tasks.

• Computer Network Architects

  AI use is lower: 20% of tasks.

• Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists

  AI use is lower: 10% of tasks.

• Robotics Engineers

  AI use is lower: 7% of tasks.

Compare with a related job

• Software Developers vs Computer Systems Analysts: AI exposure, pay and openings
• Software Developers vs Computer and Information Research Scientists: AI exposure, pay and openings
• Software Developers vs Database Administrators: AI exposure, pay and openings
• Software Developers vs Database Architects: AI exposure, pay and openings
• Software Developers vs Computer Programmers: AI exposure, pay and openings

Prompts to run on your own résumé in any AI assistant

Has your employer filed layoff notices?

A separate question from AI exposure. This checks public WARN filings for the company you work for.

Check another job

Questions

Will AI replace software developers?

This data cannot say. It measures how much of the work AI is already used for today: 29% of the tasks, which is some. It is not a forecast of job loss.

How is the number worked out?

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index, March 2026.

What do software developers earn?

The national median is $135,980 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Exposure: Anthropic Economic Index, March 2026. Pay and growth: Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tasks and skills: O*NET. All jobs.