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AI has torched the market for junior programmers

seldo.com

July 4, 2026

9 min read

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Summary

AI has significantly reduced demand for junior programmers, leading to a challenging job market in that sector. Despite this downturn, there is potential for the emergence of new programming roles in the future.

Key Takeaways

Employment for US software developers aged 22 to 25 has decreased by 19% since late 2022, while older age groups have seen growth.
Entry-level software job postings have dropped by 28% from their 2022 peaks, leading to a 6.1% unemployment rate among computer science graduates, higher than that of liberal arts majors.
Total US employment in computer and mathematical occupations grew by 1.3% from May 2024 to May 2025, despite the decline in junior programming positions.
The decline in junior programmer roles is attributed to AI automating tasks rather than augmenting them, particularly affecting those in AI-exposed jobs.

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Analysis ready

Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

AI's ability to analyze and diagnose complex issues in real-time is impressive, as shown by users getting solid theories from models like Fable 5.
Some commenters believe the rise of AI could streamline software development, potentially reducing the clutter of new frameworks every few months.

Concerns

The job market for junior programmers is in a tailspin, with many lacking basic skills and only motivated by salary, raising concerns about future talent.
Skeptics argue that AI's impact on the job market is overstated, pointing out that the decline in junior roles predates major AI advancements.
There's a growing fear that AI capabilities will soon eclipse senior roles, leading to job insecurity and downward pressure on salaries for experienced engineers.