Computer Programmers
Also called: Analyst Programmer, Computer Programmer, Programmer, Programmer AnalystCreate, 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.
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What the data says: AI could halve the time on 16 of its 17 tasks, and jobs are projected to shrink 7.3% by 2035. In the most exposed occupations, the squeeze shows up first among early-career workers. How to think about this →
About this projection
BLS builds AI into its projections where the research supports it: “BLS generally applies adjustments based on this research conservatively, where there is convincing evidence for a change.”
It also notes a limit: “BLS projection methods are not designed to capture extremely rapid technological change.”
On its AI exposure groups, BLS says exposure “does not imply job loss.”
Recent conditions
- In 2024, 3.8% of people in this work were unemployed, against 3.8% across all occupations Census ACS 2024
- From Sep 2025 to Aug 2026, 7.9 hires for every 10 job openings in professional and business services, which employs about 49% of people in this work, against 7.3 across all industries BLS JOLTS
One box per opening, filled for each hire; hires beyond the openings are added in a lighter shade. Higher can mean openings get filled, or that people leave often; lower, that jobs go unfilled, or hiring is slow.7.9 this industry7.3 all industries
Median pay by state BLS OEWS May 2025, state estimates
Tap a state for its figures.
Median pay in every state
| State | Median | Middle half earn | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $93,800 | $72,770 to $114,000 | 890 |
| Alaska | $91,700 | $79,260 to $115,880 | 530 |
| Arizona | $88,990 | $73,850 to $127,070 | 1,560 |
| Arkansas | $111,840 | $80,050 to $136,880 | 1,050 |
| California | $116,760 | $83,490 to $148,740 | 11,340 |
| Colorado | $104,610 | $76,190 to $159,810 | 930 |
| Connecticut | $133,820 | $97,630 to $141,920 | 1,650 |
| Delaware | not published | not published | 450 |
| District of Columbia | not published | not published | 230 |
| Florida | $93,180 | $67,700 to $119,330 | 4,760 |
| Georgia | $98,380 | $80,320 to $120,670 | 1,890 |
| Hawaii | $118,180 | $89,810 to $125,270 | 450 |
| Idaho | $89,020 | $86,950 to $92,270 | not published |
| Illinois | $72,540 | $50,640 to $110,980 | 1,280 |
| Indiana | $97,000 | $79,340 to $116,010 | 1,520 |
| Iowa | $79,180 | $72,010 to $103,940 | 950 |
| Kansas | $92,960 | $69,440 to $119,730 | 460 |
| Kentucky | $94,850 | $80,310 to $125,380 | 950 |
| Louisiana | not published | not published | 1,580 |
| Maine | $101,780 | $96,000 to $142,910 | 450 |
| Maryland | $125,570 | $93,140 to $127,900 | 2,490 |
| Massachusetts | $128,390 | $101,290 to $141,660 | 1,930 |
| Michigan | $65,860 | $56,700 to $98,900 | 4,400 |
| Minnesota | $107,250 | $79,230 to $125,300 | 2,070 |
| Mississippi | $85,120 | $61,260 to $85,120 | 1,170 |
| Missouri | $90,420 | $69,080 to $106,970 | 1,520 |
| Montana | $89,920 | $72,420 to $100,590 | not published |
| Nebraska | $95,150 | $66,180 to $124,690 | 1,090 |
| Nevada | $93,600 | $93,600 to $109,220 | 840 |
| New Hampshire | $74,000 | $54,460 to $95,330 | not published |
| New Jersey | $104,940 | $88,690 to $147,790 | 3,930 |
| New Mexico | $83,750 | $68,590 to $104,780 | 600 |
| New York | $103,980 | $82,040 to $134,990 | 7,020 |
| North Carolina | $81,070 | $44,030 to $105,370 | 4,120 |
| North Dakota | $92,280 | $77,180 to $113,940 | 190 |
| Ohio | $85,270 | $67,830 to $107,100 | 2,100 |
| Oklahoma | $99,780 | $76,280 to $152,460 | 990 |
| Oregon | $99,540 | $88,290 to $130,240 | 1,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $89,180 | $76,230 to $109,740 | 3,120 |
| Puerto Rico | $51,310 | $42,780 to $71,360 | 920 |
| Rhode Island | $96,470 | $83,140 to $119,950 | 250 |
| South Carolina | $99,740 | $76,940 to $120,730 | 790 |
| South Dakota | $58,240 | $55,200 to $70,850 | 70 |
| Tennessee | not published | not published | 920 |
| Texas | $99,330 | $74,290 to $127,640 | 7,620 |
| Utah | $104,890 | $82,390 to $127,180 | 690 |
| Vermont | $89,560 | $71,800 to $103,420 | 170 |
| Virginia | $121,610 | $87,520 to $160,530 | 3,070 |
| Washington | $125,620 | $106,040 to $142,440 | 2,540 |
| West Virginia | $65,320 | $53,640 to $89,610 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | not published | not published | 3,080 |
| Wyoming | $81,640 | $67,490 to $108,470 | 60 |
Nationally: $100,390. Shades run from the lowest state median to the highest; a territory below that range takes the lightest. How to read this
How AI touches the work
What AI could speed up, task by task, and where people already use it.
AI could halve the time on 16 of its 17 tasks
| AI rating | Its main tasks | Share of Claude conversations May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| AI + software | Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements. | 0.15% |
| AI alone | Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic. | 0.28% |
| AI alone | Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced. | 0.33% |
| Not much | Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes. | Not published |
| AI alone | Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct. | 0.01% |
| AI alone | 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. | 0.28% |
See all 17 tasks
| AI + software | Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program. | 0.03% |
| AI + software | Prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input, output, and logical operation, and convert them into a series of instructions coded in a computer language. | 0.01% |
| AI + software | Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs. | Not published |
| AI alone | Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users. | 0.01% |
| AI alone | Train users on the use and function of computer programs. | Not published |
| AI + software | Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel. | Not published |
| AI + software | Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software as a systems programmer. | Not published |
| AI + software | Investigate whether networks, workstations, the central processing unit of the system, or peripheral equipment are responding to a program's instructions. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Train subordinates in programming and program coding. | under 0.01% |
| AI alone | Develop Web sites. | 0.52% |
| AI + software | Collaborate with computer manufacturers and other users to develop new programming methods. | Not published |
Ordered by how important O*NET's respondents rate each task (1 to 5) times the share who say it is part of their job. The ordering is ours. 11 of the 17 have a published share of Claude conversations; “not published” means too few conversations for Anthropic to publish a figure.
Where people already use AI
The tasks above say what AI could speed up. This shows what people are using it for. Its 17 tasks fall under 14 work activities that many occupations share, and Microsoft counted how often each one came up in 200,000 conversations with its Copilot assistant in 2024.
- #14 Create visual designs or displays
- #23 Prepare informational or instructional materials
- #29 Resolve computer problems
- and 1 more, in the table below
| Work activity | This occupation's tasks under it | People asked AI for help in 10,000 conversations |
AI did it for them in 10,000 conversations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design computer or information systems or applications | |||
| Test performance of computer or information systems | |||
| Program computer systems or production equipment | |||
| Coordinate with others to resolve problems | |||
| Train others to use equipment or products | |||
| Create visual designs or displays | |||
| Prepare informational or instructional materials | |||
| Resolve computer problems |
Show all 14 activities
| Develop models of systems, processes, or products | |||
| Document technical designs, procedures, or activities | |||
| Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures | |||
| Assign work to others | |||
| Direct scientific or technical activities | |||
| Supervise personnel activities |
How people in this work use Claude
What people in this work made with Claude % of conversations
- An app or website36%
- Code fixes or debugging28%
- A script or snippet12%
- A document or report5%
- Data or a spreadsheet2%
How they worked with Claude
61% of these conversations were about work. Anthropic Economic Index, May 2026.
How to read this
Work activities come from O*NET, which links every task to the broader activities it involves. Microsoft's figures are for the activity across everyone who used Copilot, not for computer programmers specifically. Copilot is a general chat assistant; dedicated coding tools are not included, so programming help is under-counted here. Activities are listed by how many of this occupation's tasks fall under them.
The task ratings say whether AI could halve the time a task takes: on its own (“AI alone”), or with software built on it (“AI + software”). They were made by people in 2023 (Eloundou et al.). Claude's share is the task's share of all Claude.ai conversations in May 2026; Anthropic doesn't publish a task with too few conversations. None of these add up to the BLS exposure group, which combines five research measures.
More in the Guide: task ratings · task order · work activities · Copilot figures · Claude
High exposure doesn't mean fewer jobs
BLS projects most occupations in its two most exposed groups to grow: 141 of 206 rated Very high and 165 of 206 rated High. Each dot is one of the 831 occupations BLS rates.
Career moves into and out of this occupation
From moves between occupations found in online resumes, 2002–2016. Career changes only: a first job after school isn't a move.
Where people moved next
of 153,415 moves out
- 1 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 15%
- 2 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 9%
- 3 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 7%
- 4 Computer Systems Analysts Very high +7.9% 6%
- 5 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 6%
Where people moved in from
of 149,890 moves in
- 1 Software Developers, Applications (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 13%
- 2 Computer Occupations, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 7%
- 3 Managers, All Other (2010 group) an older group BLS has since split; no exposure group today 5%
- 4 Computer Systems Analysts Very high +7.9% 5%
- 5 Management Analysts Very high +10.1% 5%
Resumes over-represent younger, white-collar job-seekers and moves into management. Schubert, Stansbury and Taska (resume data).
Education and training for the occupation
O*NET survey of workers in this occupation
- 3% some college
- 9% associate's
- 88% bachelor's
O*NET 31.0 survey of workers in this occupation · 22 people answered.
Census survey (American Community Survey)
- 1% less than high school
- 7% high school
- 14% some college
- 9% associate's
- 48% bachelor's
- 19% master's
- 1% professional degree
- 2% doctorate
Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation · 2,908 people surveyed.
Why the two can differ
O*NET asks about 20 people in each occupation, which makes its shares uncertain, but it reports the exact occupation and counts certificates. The Census survey reaches thousands, but it groups some occupations together and counts degrees only. More in the Guide
Median pay by highest degree full-time, year-round · Census ACS 2024, all workers in this occupation
17 programs, such as Computer Programming/Programmer, General, Computer Programming, Specific Applications and Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification.
See all
- Computer Programming/Programmer, General
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications
- Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification
- Computer Game Programming
- Computer Programming, Specific Platforms
- Computer Programming, Other
- Computer Science
- Computer Graphics
- Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
- Cloud Computing
- Computer Software Technology/Technician
- Computational Science
- Data Analytics, General
- Data Visualization
- Data Analytics, Other
- Medical Office Computer Specialist/Assistant
- Management Information Systems, General
Jobs that require a credential BLS Occupational Requirements Survey 2023
<25% this occupation
45.3% all occupations
| By kind | This occupation | All occupations |
|---|---|---|
| a license | not published | |
| a certification | not published | |
| an educational certificate | not published |
Share of jobs whose employer requires it. BLS doesn't say which credential. How to read this
Look up certifications, training and licenses U.S. Department of Labor
- Certification Finder ↗ certifications CareerOneStop lists for this occupation
- Training Finder ↗ schools and programs, nationwide; narrow the place there
- License Finder ↗ licenses by state
- Apprenticeship Finder ↗ DOL lists 3 registered apprenticeships in this occupation (COMPUTER PROGRAMMER; PROGRAMMER, ENGINEER & SCIENTIFIC; Prompt Engineer). Apprenticeship.gov can't be linked to one occupation, so search for “Computer Programmers” there.
These open in a new tab and send only the occupation's public code. More in the Guide
BLS AI exposure categories (Aug 2026) · BLS Employment Projections 2025–35 · O*NET 31.0 · Task ratings: Eloundou et al., Science (2024) · Microsoft "Working with AI" v1.1 · Anthropic Economic Index (2026-06-26) · Schubert, Stansbury and Taska · NCES CIP–SOC · Census ACS 2024 · BLS JOLTS · Brynjolfsson, Chandar and Chen, Stanford (Aug 2026)
See it online, and explore any career: https://www.pathmosaic.com/card/15-1251.00