Computer Programmers

Most exposed tasks

Highest structured exposure values in this role’s task mix — the work AI systems can already do most of.

• Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program.65
• Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users.65

Augmentable tasks

Work where AI assists rather than replaces — the productivity frontier of this role.

• Conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure they will produce the desired information and that the instructions are correct.60
• Develop Web sites.60
• Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.55

Most durable tasks

Lowest exposure — typically judgment, relationships, physical presence, or accountability. This is the human moat.

• Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel.30
• Train subordinates in programming and program coding.30
• Train users on the use and function of computer programs.30

Task exposure values and classifications are published, versioned estimates audited against the anchored rubric. This page reads them from the data release rather than generating them at request time. Bars show exposure contribution relative to this role’s task mix.

What this means

A score of 48 puts Computer Programmers in the most-exposed quarter of analyzed occupations. In practice, exposure this high is about the mix: 2 of 17 analyzed tasks lean automatable, 9 augmentable, and 6 durable. The useful question isn’t “will AI take this job” — it’s which tasks go first, which get faster, and where to reposition time. That’s what the personalized report maps against your actual week.

Lower-exposure adjacent roles

No adjacent role in the current data release is at least 10 points lower with ≥50% skill overlap — we don’t label anything “safer” unless the data supports it.

Labor-market context

• $100,390median wage
• 92,230employed
• 5,500annual openings
• -6.0%projected growth

Context only — labor statistics are not inputs to the exposure score. See methodology.

Related roles

Adjacent by skills or family — no exposure claim implied.

• Computer Systems Engineers/Architects 46
• Computer Systems Analysts 44
• Database Architects 43
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 55
• Junior Software Developer 42
• Database Administrator 52

How this score was calculated

FAQ — Computer Programmers

Will AI replace Computer Programmers?

This score cannot predict whether this occupation or any individual job will be replaced. It shows which tasks current and near-term AI can perform or accelerate, which tasks remain more durable, and where a worker can adapt. Employer decisions, demand, regulation, and how the role changes are outside the score.

What does a score of 48 mean for a Computer Programmers?

It means that, weighted across the 17 tasks we analyzed for this role, the task mix sits at 48 on a 0–100 exposure scale — in the most-exposed quarter of analyzed occupations. It measures task exposure to current and near-term AI capabilities, not the probability of losing a job.

Which tasks in this role are most exposed to AI?

The highest-exposure tasks are: Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program; Write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users. Exposure comes from the published, rubric-scored data release rather than being generated when you open this page.

Which parts of this job are most durable?

The most durable responsibilities are: Assign, coordinate, and review work and activities of programming personnel; Train subordinates in programming and program coding; Train users on the use and function of computer programs. Durable tasks typically depend on judgment, relationships, physical presence, or accountability.

Is this score personalized to me?

No — this page shows the occupation-level baseline. Two people with the same title often do different work. The $9 personalized report recalculates the score from the tasks you actually do and builds a concrete 7/30/90-day plan around them.