Cybersecurity Analyst vs Data Scientist: $129K vs $120K Median Pay

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Data Scientist: what changes?

Consider Cybersecurity Analyst if you want to plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Consider Data Scientist if you would rather develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. 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 Cybersecurity Analyst and Data Scientist. 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

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

Data Scientist

National median pay (2025): $120,230
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: Analyze, manipulate, or process large sets of data using statistical software.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 24,800

Know before you choose

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

See the full Data Scientist brief

How the national numbers differ

Data Scientist has the edge on annual openings

Data Scientist is at 24,800 annual openings, compared with 14,100 annual openings for Cybersecurity Analyst.

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on median pay

Cybersecurity Analyst is at $129,180, compared with $120,230 for Data Scientist.

Data Scientist has the edge on projected growth

Data Scientist is at 34.6% projected growth, compared with 21% projected growth for Cybersecurity Analyst.

77.9/ 100

Cybersecurity Analyst

80.2/ 100

Data Scientist

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

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Data Scientist

Dimension	Cybersecurity Analyst	Data Scientist
Median pay (2025)	$129,180	$120,230
Pay percentile	91.8 percentile	89.5 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	21%	34.6%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	14,100	24,800
2025 employment	192,900	275,600
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	Prior related experience: less than 5 years.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS 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 Cybersecurity Analyst brief Read Data Scientist brief

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Data Scientist: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Cybersecurity Analyst

Data Scientist

How the national numbers differ

Data Scientist has the edge on annual openings

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on median pay

Data Scientist has the edge on projected growth

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Data Scientist

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