Data Scientists vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $15,790 more per year than Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals — that's 16.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Network and Computer Systems Administrators$60,320 – $150,320
$60,320$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $60,320 | +$3,330 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $75,860 | +$6,770 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $96,800 | +$15,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $123,390 | +$32,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $150,320 | +$44,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $101,190 | +$23,400 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,790 (16.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators salaries range from $60,320 (10th percentile) to $150,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $96,800.
How many Data Scientists and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 318,570 Network and Computer Systems Administrators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Network and Computer Systems Administrators earns $96,800. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS