WorkApril 25, 2026via The Decoder
US programmer job growth nearly halved since ChatGPT launched, Fed study finds
Why it matters
A Federal Reserve study provides empirical evidence that generative AI is materially impacting software engineer employment trends—critical data for founders, investors, and talent strategy discussions.
Key signals
- US programmer job growth nearly halved post-ChatGPT launch
- Federal Reserve Board conducted the study
- Programmers identified as one of the professional groups most affected by generative AI
- Data reflects employment impact of AI on workforce displacement
The hook
US programmer job growth cut in half since ChatGPT. The Fed just quantified what tech leaders feared.
Programmers are among the professional groups whose everyday lives have changed the most as a result of generative AI. A new study by the Federal Reserve Board now provides evidence that this is also reflected in employment figures.