The impact of AI on the software engineering job market isn’t something that we can ignore anymore. A lot of routine coding tasks are now automated, and I’ve seen how they’ve affected entry and mid-level roles that focused on boilerplate code.

But the demand has shifted. Employers are now looking for engineers who can integrate AI into their work, and these roles often come with better pay.

It’s true that junior software engineering jobs are becoming more competitive. But by focusing on skills that AI can’t replace (like system design and debugging, and learning to use AI tools as assistants), you can stay ahead and land higher-paying roles.