U.S. Software Engineer Talent Landscape Report

This research report examines the U.S. software engineering (SWE) talent landscape, focusing on hiring trends, skill demands, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the labor market. It outlines how SWE hiring has mirrored broader trends in the Technology, Information, and Media sector over the past decade, with a notable slowdown in demand since mid-2022. The report highlights a shift in required skills, emphasizing cloud platforms and AI-related capabilities over traditional web development skills. Additionally, it documents changes in job mobility, indicating a decline in transitions within the tech sector and an increase in non-tech roles for computer science graduates. The findings suggest a tightening of entry pathways into SWE, with fewer recent graduates entering traditional roles. The report concludes that while tech remains the primary source of SWE opportunities, evolving skill priorities and the influence of AI may hinder a full recovery in SWE hiring, even as the macroeconomic environment improves.