With warnings of a white-collar “jobpocalypse” growing louder, the outlook for Gen Z college graduates can seem bleak. Among aspiring tech workers in particular, the anxiety has been especially intense. Coding tasks once left to junior developers can now be automated in minutes—fueling predictions from some industry leaders that traditional entry-level software roles could soon vanish.
But new data suggests that speculation about the outright demise of computer science graduates may be overblown.
Starting salary projections for the class of 2026 show employers are still competing for technical talent—and paying a premium to do so. Computer science majors are expected to earn starting salaries of $81,535, up nearly 7% from last year, according to the 2026 Winter Salary Survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). The survey included responses from 150 organizations, including Fortune 500 employers like Chevron, CVS Health, PepsiCo, and Verizon.
Bachelor’s degree holders in computer science are also the third most in-demand major, slightly trailing finance and mechanical engineering. At the graduate level, computer science master’s degrees rank as the single most in-demand credential—outpacing even MBAs.
Karim Meghji, CEO and president of tech nonprofit Code.org, said he’s not surprised because those with tech foundations are the ones best equipped to lead an AI-future.
“There’s a growing narrative that AI makes computer science obsolete, but it’s just not the case,” Meghji said. “AI isn’t killing computer science; it’s making it more essential.”
Hiring remains tight—even for Gen Z tech grads
Still, strong salary projections don’t mean smooth sailing.
While some employers (including IBM) have signaled plans to ramp up entry-level hiring in select areas, overall hiring for the class of 2026 is expected to remain largely flat compared to 2025, according to NACE.
That stagnation comes as millions of young adults are already struggling to gain a foothold in the market, with many falling into the category of NEET—not in education, employment, or training. And for those who have secured a degree, the financial pressure is real: bachelor’s degree recipients carry an average federal student loan balance of about $29,550.
With AI not expected to fade anytime soon, adapting to the technology is becoming less optional—and more foundational—regardless of major. Business leaders increasingly argue that AI won’t necessarily replace workers outright, but workers who understand AI may replace those who don’t.
“We don’t need everyone to become a software engineer—far from it,” Meghji said. “But, we do need to help young people build durable, cross-disciplinary skills: computational thinking, data literacy, systems thinking, and responsible computing.”
That message aligns with broader labor market trends. AI engineering, implementation, and business strategy now rank among the fastest-growing skills categories, according to LinkedIn—suggesting shifting demand for workers who can apply and adapt to emerging technologies.
Entry-level jobs are more competitive than ever—here’s how Gen Z can stand out
With the tightened job market remaining, differentiation is becoming more important than ever for entry-level applicants. And because AI has made it easier than ever to tailor resumes and cover letters, the bar is only rising.
According to Christine Cruzvergara, chief education strategy officer at Handshake—a career platform for early-career talent—young people should lean on self-evaluation and personalization.
“AI can’t replicate taste; it can’t replicate who you are,” she previously told Fortune. “If you and I are both using ChatGPT to help us write our cover letters for say, even the same job, our responsibility is to feed it enough information about ourselves.”
Having a strong network and support system is just as critical, she added.
“You will question yourself and you might second guess if you’re good enough,” she said. “You need folks that are going to be an honest reflection to you of what your strengths are, what your skills are, and, quite frankly, also tell you if you’re making mistakes at the same time.”
With the true future of work still unknown, Meghji said it’s important to have perspective.
“Don’t be fearful,” Meghji said. “The future of work is always evolving. Previous generations worried about automation, globalization and the internet. What endures are the underlying knowledge, durable skills and mindsets: how to think critically, collaborate, solve problems and adapt. AI, in fact, makes those skills all the more critical.”
