ChooseField
Quick answer · Balanced priorities

Computer Systems Analyst vs Mathematicians: 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 Mathematicians if you would rather conduct research in fundamental mathematics or in application of mathematical techniques to science, management, and other fields. Entry credentials differ: Computer Systems Analyst, bachelor's degree; Mathematicians, master's degree.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Computer Systems Analyst and Mathematicians. 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

Mathematicians

National median pay (2025)
$126,710
Route into the job
Master'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
Mentor others on mathematical techniques.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
100
Know before you choose

BLS projects essentially flat employment (0.6%) through 2035. Annual openings mostly reflect replacement, not a rapidly expanding field.

See the full Mathematicians 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 100 annual openings for Mathematicians.

2

Computer Systems Analyst has the edge on projected growth

Computer Systems Analyst is at 7.9% projected growth, compared with 0.6% projected growth for Mathematicians.

3

Typical preparation differs.

Computer Systems Analyst: Bachelor's degree Mathematicians: Master's degree Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.

4

Mathematicians has the edge on median pay

Mathematicians is at $126,710, compared with $105,850 for Computer Systems Analyst.

76.9/ 100

Computer Systems Analyst

vs
36.5/ 100

Mathematicians

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 Mathematicians

DimensionComputer Systems AnalystMathematicians
Median pay (2025)$105,850$126,710
Pay percentile86.4 percentile91.2 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)7.9%0.6%
Annual openings (2025–2035)32,900100
2025 employment544,4002,200
How you qualifyBachelor's degreeMaster's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 4Job Zone 5
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
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.