AI-Exposed Jobs Rebound for Senior Workers, Leaving New Graduates Behind

Job postings for AI-exposed roles have rebounded faster than less-exposed positions, but gains are concentrated among senior workers, according to an Investopedia analysis of Indeed data. Software development postings fell 73% from a February 2022 peak through February 2025, then rose nearly 21% after Anthropic released Claude Code in February 2025. All-industry postings fell 5% over the same period, and software development remains about 23% below pre-pandemic levels. The rebound is largely senior-driven: senior roles accounted for 71% of the increase in software development postings from May 2025 to May 2026. Advertised pay for senior AI-exposed jobs rose 45% since 2021, versus 24% and 32% for entry- and mid-level roles. Data and analytics postings fell another 5% since February 2025 and sit 38% below pre-pandemic levels. Recent graduates face a 5.7% unemployment rate, versus 4.1% overall, per the New York Fed. Indeed's Laura Ullrich attributed the slump partly to higher interest rates and remote work, advising graduates to position themselves so "you plus AI is better than AI without you."