NYC Entry-Level Tech Jobs Drop 49% as AI Reshapes Hiring

Key points

• Entry-level computer and math job postings in NYC dropped 49% between 2022 and 2025, the steepest decline of any sector.
• Similar declines of 36% and 34% were recorded in office/administrative and arts/media sectors, respectively.
• Healthcare and legal sectors saw increases in entry-level postings, rising by 21% and 8% respectively.
• The Center for an Urban Future notes that companies with high AI exposure are cutting entry-level roles but maintaining overall headcount.
• Proposed solutions include paid internships for small businesses and expanded AI training at CUNY.

Background

This development follows earlier reports in August 2026 indicating that AI adoption is already weighing on hiring in specific industries like software publishing and management consulting. In May 2026, NYC Comptroller Mark Levine warned that AI could cost the city 300,000 jobs and $14 billion in tax revenue, a concern that has intensified as entry-level data worsens. Previous coverage in September 2026 highlighted that while AI usage is rising, experienced workers in tech and finance remain relatively secure, creating a 'K-shaped' labor market.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post emphasizes the severity of the decline, framing it as a crisis for young workers entering the workforce. The City Reporter provides a more nuanced view, noting that while entry-level postings have plummeted, overall job growth in NYC has increased by 60,000 in the last year, and AI-adopting companies are often growing their workforces. CNBC focuses on the national wage implications, citing an Apollo Global Management study that suggests AI may be compressing wages rather than eliminating jobs entirely. Economists like Ben Zipperer argue that the data may overstate AI's negative impact, attributing some slowdowns to post-pandemic normalization, while MIT's Daron Acemoglu warns that wage impacts may be more visible than employment losses in the long run.

Why it matters

The collapse of entry-level roles threatens the traditional career ladder for young workers, potentially widening income inequality and reducing the pipeline of experienced talent for the future. If firms continue to bypass entry-level positions, the long-term sustainability of the workforce could be compromised, necessitating new policy frameworks for training and experience acquisition.

What to watch

The Center for an Urban Future has proposed initiatives such as six-month paid internships and a workforce readiness fund for CUNY. The Mamdani administration has allocated $5 million to strengthen AI offerings at CUNY, though it has not fully endorsed all recommendations. The next few years will determine whether AI leads to permanent job loss or a restructuring of how workers gain experience, with experts watching for shifts in wage growth and employment stability.