Software developers
SOC Code: 15-1252
Software developers carries a 45% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $133,080 and +15.8% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 1,693,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Software developers (SOC 15-1252) carries an AI exposure score of 45%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an 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 economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 1,693,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +15.8% change through 2034 — a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $133,080, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
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 Software developers. Public companies with meaningful exposure to this occupation, such as FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC and Alphabet Inc., inherit a share of the same automation risk through their industry classification. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Monitor functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
- 2. Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- 3. Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- 4. Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- 5. Coordinate installation of software system.
- 6. Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- 7. Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- 8. Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
- 9. Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
- 10. Design, develop and modify software systems, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcomes and consequences of design.
Key Skills Required
- Programming
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Systems Analysis
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Technology Design
- Systems Evaluation
Knowledge Areas
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Telecommunications
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Software developers?
Software developers has an AI exposure score of 45%, 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 Software developers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Software developers is projected to grow by 15.8% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 1,693,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Software developers?
Key skills for Software developers include Programming, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Software developers earn?
The median annual wage for Software developers is $133,080, 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 Software developers?
The typical entry-level education for Software developers 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 Software developers?
Public companies with significant Software developers workforce shares include FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC, Alphabet Inc., MICROSOFT CORP, among others. These employers are mapped by industry classification (SIC/NAICS) to BLS occupation-industry employment distributions. See the full employer rankings for AI displacement risk grades.
Employers with High AI Exposure in This Occupation Group
Public companies whose industry occupation mix includes a significant share of Software developers roles.
| Company | AI Grade | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|
| FACTSET RESEARCH SYSTEMS INC | C | 46.8% |
| Alphabet Inc. | C | 46.8% |
| MICROSOFT CORP | C | 46.8% |
| Meta Platforms, Inc. | C | 46.8% |
| ORACLE CORP | C | 46.8% |
| Palantir Technologies Inc. | C | 46.8% |
| SAP SE | C | 46.8% |
| Salesforce, Inc. | C | 46.8% |
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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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).