Computer Programmers
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 416 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with more than half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate nearly every task in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.
AI could do much of this on its own
Correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.
AI could do much of this on its own
Perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.
AI could do much of this on its own
Write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.
AI could do much of this on its own
Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.
AI could do much of this on its own
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Computer Systems Analysts
Very similar work+5% pay2,609 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 5% more—$112,676 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Information Ordering
New skills to build
- Reading Comprehension
- Education and Training
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Web Developers
Very similar workslightly less pay403 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$101,339 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming
- Oral Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Deductive Reasoning
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Software Developers
Very similar work+60% pay6,726 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 60% more—$170,831 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Technology Design
Computer Occupations, All Other
Very similar work+13% pay1,270 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 13% more—$120,267 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
New skills to build
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
Database Architects
Similar work+36% pay249 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 36% more—$145,311 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Similar work+17% pay775 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 17% more—$124,633 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Information Ordering
Your current skills largely cover this move.
Database Administrators
Similar work+2% pay310 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$108,862 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
New skills to build
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- Public Safety and Security
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Similar work+75% pay113 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 75% more—$187,084 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Programming
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Category Flexibility
- Telecommunications
- Active Learning
- Systems Evaluation
Computer Network Architects
Similar work+35% pay715 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 35% more—$144,315 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Critical Thinking
New skills to build
- Telecommunications
- Public Safety and Security
- Equipment Selection
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment Maintenance
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Somewhat similar work+2% pay1,119 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 2% more—$108,774 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Troubleshooting
- Operation and Control
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Equipment Selection
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay562 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$99,145 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Instructing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Learning Strategies
Computer Hardware Engineers
Somewhat similar work+57% pay142 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 57% more—$168,042 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Physics
- Telecommunications
- Equipment Selection
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Somewhat similar work+104% pay4,059 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 104% more—$217,895 vs your $106,893 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Computers and Electronics
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Customer and Personal Service
- Monitoring
- Administration and Management
- Management of Financial Resources