Since the launch of Anthropic's Claude Code in February 2025, U.S. software development job postings have risen significantly, even as overall job postings have declined. This trend contradicts earlier predictions that AI would rapidly reduce the need for developers.
For instance, GitHub reported that AI is now involved in one in three pull requests, a substantial increase from fewer than one in ten a year ago. Analysts like Eric Kutcher from McKinsey suggest that rather than eliminating jobs, AI is transforming the software development field, with a notable demand for developers who can work alongside AI tools.
However, while job postings have rebounded, they remain about 27.5% below pre-pandemic levels, with the increase primarily in senior and AI-oriented roles. The need for developers to oversee AI-generated code and integrate technology into business operations is driving this demand.
Yet, younger workers face challenges, as employment in AI-exposed fields for those aged 22 to 25 has dropped by 16%, with early-career developers seeing a 20% decline. The long-term outlook remains positive, with the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 10% growth in software developer employment from 2025 to 2035, suggesting that while the landscape is changing, opportunities will still exist for skilled developers