U.S. software developer job postings rise 15% since February 2025

U.S. software development job postings have increased by nearly 15% since February 2025, the launch date for Anthropic's Claude Code, according to data from Indeed Hiring Lab. This rise occurred even as overall job postings declined, challenging predictions that artificial intelligence would rapidly eliminate demand for developers.

The growth in hiring contradicts earlier warnings about the profession's future. Microsoft's GitHub reported in 2023 that AI was close to writing half of all code on projects where the technology was available. In October, GitHub stated that one in three pull requests now involves an AI agent, up from fewer than one in 10 a year earlier. GitHub noted that if this pace continues, most code pushed to the platform could be written by an agent within two years.

Labor market researchers describe the current situation as an evolution rather than a disappearance of the role. Eric Kutcher, North America chair at McKinsey, told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" that companies are producing more code than ever before, keeping developers who work with AI in high demand. He observed that growth is occurring in areas previously expected to face the biggest displacement.

McKinsey Global Institute research indicates that the earlier decline in software developer hiring was not solely due to AI. The sector experienced a steep drop from a 2022 hiring peak after technology companies pulled back from pandemic-era surges. Indeed Hiring Lab data shows that despite the recent recovery, software-development job postings remain approximately 27.5% below pre-pandemic levels.

The recent increase is concentrated in senior-level roles and positions oriented toward AI. Senior roles accounted for 71% of the rise in software-development postings between May 2025 and May 2026, while job titles mentioning AI made up 37% of the increase. GitHub leaders have suggested that as much as 80% of code could eventually be written by AI, which may concentrate demand for workers who can evaluate AI-generated code and integrate new tools into broader technology systems.

Sneha Puri, an economist at Indeed Hiring Lab, stated that companies recognize the need for developers to oversee AI work, refine products, and help clients integrate technology into daily operations. She highlighted a growing need for workers who can apply AI tools beyond simple construction. An analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data by economist Steve Rattner found that software developer was among the career categories showing positive growth from May 2023 to May 2025, though this growth was in line with all occupations and below the pace seen in blue-collar jobs associated with building AI data centers.

For young workers, prospects are less clear. Data from Stanford University's 2026 AI index indicates a 16% drop in employment for ages 22 to 25 in AI-exposed fields following the emergence of generative AI. Within that group, early-career software developers experienced a 20% decline in employment as roles for older developers expanded. Puri advised students to build familiarity with AI tools while maintaining communication and interpersonal skills. She warned that if employers do not build pipelines for entry-level talent now, they will lack senior experts in ten years.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that software developer employment will grow 10% from 2025 to 2035. This increase would add roughly 174,700 positions, raising total employment from about 1.72 million to 1.89 million jobs.