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Computer Systems Analyst vs Cybersecurity Analyst: what changes?

Consider Computer Systems Analyst if you want to analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Consider Cybersecurity Analyst if you would rather plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately. Prior experience in a related occupation is typically needed for Cybersecurity Analyst (less than 5 years).

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Systems Analyst and Cybersecurity 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
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

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

Cybersecurity Analyst

National median pay (2025)
$129,180
Route into the job
Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years
Prior related experience
Prior related experience: less than 5 years.
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
Develop plans to safeguard computer files against accidental or unauthorized modification, destruction, or disclosure and to meet emergency data processing needs.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
14,100
Know before you choose

BLS lists less than 5 years of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full Cybersecurity Analyst brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Computer Systems Analyst has the edge on annual openings

Computer Systems Analyst is at 32,900 annual openings, compared with 14,100 annual openings for Cybersecurity Analyst.

2

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on projected growth

Cybersecurity Analyst is at 21% projected growth, compared with 7.9% projected growth for Computer Systems Analyst.

3

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on median pay

Cybersecurity Analyst is at $129,180, compared with $105,850 for Computer Systems Analyst.

76.9/ 100

Computer Systems Analyst

vs
77.9/ 100

Cybersecurity 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

Computer Systems Analyst vs Cybersecurity Analyst

DimensionComputer Systems AnalystCybersecurity Analyst
Median pay (2025)$105,850$129,180
Pay percentile86.4 percentile91.8 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)7.9%21%
Annual openings (2025–2035)32,90014,100
2025 employment544,400192,900
How you qualifyBachelor's degreeBachelor's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 4Job Zone 4
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.Prior related experience: less than 5 years.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Computer Systems Analyst briefRead Cybersecurity Analyst brief

Try another comparison

Computer Systems Analyst vs Software Developer

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Computer Systems Analyst
$105,850 · 7.9% growth
Software Developer
$135,980 · 10.2% growth
Compare careers →

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Software Developer

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Cybersecurity Analyst
$129,180 · 21% growth
Software Developer
$135,980 · 10.2% growth
Compare careers →

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Data Scientist

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Cybersecurity Analyst
$129,180 · 21% growth
Data Scientist
$120,230 · 34.6% growth
Compare careers →
ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.