Computer programming jobs in the U.S. have experienced a significant decline of 27.5% over the past two years, marking the lowest number of programmers since 1980.

This decline coincides with the rise of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which can generate code quickly and cost-effectively, potentially reshaping the labor market.

The broader economic landscape, including a cooling tech job market post-pandemic and high interest rates, has also contributed to job cuts in the tech industry.

Experts, including Mark Muro from the Brookings Institution, suggest that the increase in unemployment among programmers may signal the early effects of AI on employment.

Despite the challenges posed by AI, research indicates that these technologies often augment human workers rather than fully replace them.

In fact, a study by Anthropic reveals that 57% of users employ AI to assist with programming tasks, highlighting its role as a tool for enhancement.

While software developer roles have only seen a minimal decrease of 0.3%, routine coding jobs have dropped significantly, indicating a divergence between these fields.

Although AI may not completely replace computer programming, it presents a significant challenge to a field that has historically offered lucrative career opportunities.

The average salary for programming jobs stands at $99,700, compared to $132,270 for software developers, underscoring the financial implications of these job losses.

Routine coding jobs performed by programmers have fallen to levels not seen since 1980, emphasizing the impact of AI on the workforce.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, programming jobs are among the top 10 hardest-hit occupations due to these trends.

As AI continues to advance, concerns about job security in programming are growing, particularly as it becomes capable of performing tasks traditionally handled by human programmers.