Actuaries vs Computer Systems Analyst: $130K vs $106K Median Pay

Actuaries vs Computer Systems Analyst: what changes?

Consider Actuaries if you want to analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. Consider Computer Systems Analyst if you would rather analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Actuaries and Computer Systems Analyst. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Actuaries

National median pay (2025): $130,000
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree; More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: More than 12 months of on-the-job training, in addition to any qualifying education or licensing.
Work to investigate: Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,500

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Actuaries brief

Computer Systems Analyst

National median pay (2025): $105,850
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 32,900

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Computer Systems Analyst brief

How the national numbers differ

Computer Systems Analyst has the edge on annual openings

Computer Systems Analyst is at 32,900 annual openings, compared with 1,500 annual openings for Actuaries.

Actuaries has the edge on median pay

Actuaries is at $130,000, compared with $105,850 for Computer Systems Analyst.

Actuaries has the edge on projected growth

Actuaries is at 9.2% projected growth, compared with 7.9% projected growth for Computer Systems Analyst.

62.2/ 100

Actuaries

76.9/ 100

Computer Systems Analyst

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence