US job postings in some AI-exposed fields have rebounded, but the recovery has been concentrated among senior workers and has not restored overall demand to pre-pandemic levels. Indeed postings for software developers fell 73% from their February 2022 peak to February 2025, before rising almost 21% over the following year. Even after that increase, postings remained about 23% below pre-pandemic levels, while postings across all industries fell 5% over the same period. Data and analytics postings declined another 5% and remained 38% below pre-pandemic levels. Senior positions represented 71% of the increase in software development postings between May 2025 and May 2026. Advertised pay for AI-exposed jobs rose 24% for entry-level roles, 32% for mid-level roles and 45% for senior positions since 2021. Recent graduates faced a 5.7% unemployment rate, compared with 4.1% for all workers, intensifying questions about the value of college degrees as AI reshapes entry-level work. PwC data in the existing analysis also found faster headcount, productivity and wage growth at AI-exposed companies, while Indeed reported a 62% wage premium for AI-skilled roles.