Computer programmers
SOC Code: 15-1251
Computer programmers carries a 54% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $98,670 and -6.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 121,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 54% AI exposure, Computer programmers sits 17 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 91% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Career outlook score
37/100
Computer programmers, weighted across 3 of 3 tracked dimensions
A weighted composite of median wage, projected growth, and AI-automation security (inverted exposure), each benchmarked against every other tracked occupation. It describes this occupation's standing across those three dimensions, not a guarantee of future outcomes.
- Median wage A $98,670
Annual median wage, percentile rank vs all tracked occupations
- Projected growth F -6.0%
Projected employment change, 2024-2034, BLS Employment Projections
- AI exposure (inverted) F 54% exposure
Lower O*NET task-automability scores lower risk; this dimension scores security, not exposure
Home health and personal care aides is #1 of 832 occupations by employment (4.3M, AI exposure rank #392 at 35%) vs. Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks #1 by AI task exposure (95%, employment rank #17 at 1.6M).
Automation-risk inventory
Exclusive cut of 832 occupations by PlainWorkforce automation-risk band. Orthogonal to the continuous AI-exposure distribution chart below and to this occupation's single risk badge, this is the corpus band mix, with Computer programmers in the High band.
Credential × growth standing
Bachelor's entry while BLS headcount shrinks
Entry still reads Bachelor's (178/832), but growth is Declining (111/832). Degree cost lands on a contracting occupation - weigh AI exposure and adjacent SOC moves before treating the credential as insurance.
Where Computer programmers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Where Computer programmers sits by AI exposure
AI-exposure score distribution across U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis)
54% Higher than most higher than 91% of 832 occupations
Occupations, banded by AI-exposure score
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor) · BLS 2024–2034
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Computer programmers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Computer programmers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Where This Score Comes From
Computer programmers's High automation-risk tier is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each documented task the occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The employment, wage, and education figures above come from a second, separate federal source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034, matched to the O*NET task data by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 15-1251) code, with the wage figure cross-validated against the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 survey. BLS figures are presented exactly as published, with no adjustment on our part; the SOC-code match is what lets Computer programmers be compared directly against every other tracked occupation on the same basis, not just roles that happen to share a job title.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Computer programmers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
- 2. Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
- 3. Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
- 4. 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.
- 5. Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
- 6. Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.
- 7. 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.
- 8. Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.
- 9. Train subordinates in programming and program coding.
- 10. Consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems in running computer programs.
Key Skills Required
- Programming
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Systems Analysis
- Writing
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
Knowledge Areas
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Design
- Education and Training
- Geography
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Computer programmers?
Computer programmers has an AI exposure score of 54%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Computer programmers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Computer programmers is projected to decline by 6.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 121,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Computer programmers?
Key skills for Computer programmers include Programming, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Computer programmers earn?
The median annual wage for Computer programmers is $98,670, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Computer programmers?
The typical entry-level education for Computer programmers is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Computer programmers?
Computer programmers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Nationwide occupations with similar workforce profiles
Two data-derived peer sets for Computer programmers: AI-exposure neighbors and BLS 2034 growth neighbors (distinct comparison neighborhoods, cross-occupation).
Similar AI exposure score
Nearest O*NET task-automability scores nationwide (54% here).
- Bill and account collectors · AI exposure 54%
- Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks · AI exposure 54%
- Judicial law clerks · AI exposure 54%
- Locomotive engineers · AI exposure 54%
Similar projected growth (2024–2034)
Nearest BLS employment change rates nationwide (-6.0% here).
- Transportation security screeners · growth -6.0%
- Chemical plant and system operators · growth -6.1%
- Floral designers · growth -5.9%
- Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks · growth -5.8%
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on published BLS + O*NET metrics among occupations with ≥10,000 workers in 2024; corpus ranks above sort the full tracked set.
Related Occupations
Showing 6 of 10 occupations with a comparable automation-risk profile.
What to do with this
Use Computer programmers' numbers above to compare, not just read in isolation.
- Compare Computer programmers side by side against another occupation on wage, growth, and AI exposure. Workforce comparison tool
- Understand how the AI exposure score above is actually calculated before treating it as a verdict. Reading AI exposure scores
- See the full ranked list of occupations with the lowest automation exposure nationwide. Safest occupations from AI
AI exposure scores estimate task automatability from O*NET data; they are not a certainty of job loss, and BLS growth projections are estimates, not guarantees.
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).