Actuaries vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: $130K vs $99K Median Pay

Actuaries vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: 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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators if you would rather install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Actuaries and Network and Computer Systems Administrators. 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

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

National median pay (2025): $99,130
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: Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 13,400

Know before you choose

BLS projects employment to shrink 4.1% from 2025 to 2035. Openings can still occur when existing workers leave.

See the full Network and Computer Systems Administrators brief

How the national numbers differ

Actuaries has the edge on projected growth

Actuaries is at 9.2% projected growth, compared with -4.1% projected growth for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators has the edge on annual openings

Network and Computer Systems Administrators is at 13,400 annual openings, compared with 1,500 annual openings for Actuaries.

Actuaries has the edge on median pay

Actuaries is at $130,000, compared with $99,130 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

62.2/ 100

Actuaries

53.5/ 100

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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