Stanford AI Index 2026: Entry-Level Software Developer Jobs Plummet 20% Since 2024 While Senior Roles Grow

Stanford HAI·high signal

The Stanford HAI AI Index 2026 report reveals that software developer employment for ages 22-25 has dropped nearly 20% since 2024, even as senior positions continue growing. This is the first authoritative longitudinal dataset quantifying AI's displacement of junior engineering roles, sourced from BLS data across the full US labor market.