Cybersecurity Analyst vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: $129K vs $99K Median Pay

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: 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 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. 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 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

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

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

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on projected growth

Cybersecurity Analyst is at 21% projected growth, compared with -4.1% projected growth for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on median pay

Cybersecurity Analyst is at $129,180, compared with $99,130 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on annual openings

Cybersecurity Analyst is at 14,100 annual openings, compared with 13,400 annual openings for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.

77.9/ 100

Cybersecurity Analyst

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

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Dimension	Cybersecurity Analyst	Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Median pay (2025)	$129,180	$99,130
Pay percentile	91.8 percentile	82.2 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	21%	-4.1%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	14,100	13,400
2025 employment	192,900	323,600
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators brief

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Cybersecurity Analyst

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

How the national numbers differ

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on projected growth

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on median pay

Cybersecurity Analyst has the edge on annual openings

Cybersecurity Analyst vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators

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