Software Developer vs. Data Scientist vs. Information Security Analyst vs. Financial Analyst
Four analytical careers compared on official pay, growth, and entry requirements.
Short answer: Software developers have the highest national median wage of the group at $135,980 (May 2025). Data scientists are projected to grow fastest, +34.6% from 2025 to 2035. Software developers typically enter with bachelor's degree; Data scientists typically enter with bachelor's degree; Information security analysts typically enter with bachelor's degree; Financial and investment analysts typically enter with bachelor's degree.
| Measure | Software developers | Data scientists | Information security analysts | Financial and investment analysts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $135,980 | $120,230 | $129,180 | $102,740 |
| 10th percentile wage | $82,460 | $67,240 | $75,090 | $63,720 |
| 90th percentile wage | $214,670 | $199,130 | $199,850 | $180,860 |
| Employment (May 2025) | 1,687,890 | 262,440 | 190,650 | 361,980 |
| Projected change, 2025 to 2035 | +10.2% | +34.6% | +21.0% | +7.2% |
| Openings per year | 95,300 | 24,800 | 14,100 | 24,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Related work experience | None | None | Less than 5 years | None |
| On-the-job training | None | None | None | None |
| O*NET Job Zone (1 to 5) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Self-employed share | 1.5% | 1.9% | 0.2% | 2.2% |
| Top skills | Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Active Listening | Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Speaking | Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking | |
| Licenses and certifications in our library | AWS-CERTIFIED-SOLUTIONS-ARCHITECT-ASSOCIATE, GOOGLE-CLOUD-ASSOCIATE-CLOUD-ENGINEER | None listed | CISSP, COMPTIA-SECURITY-PLUS | CFA |
Wages Verified data describe all workers in each occupation, not starting pay. Growth and openings are Official projection. Highlighted cells mark the highest median wage and fastest projected growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: National Center for O*NET Development for USDOL/ETA, O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026 release). Database release 31.0, August 2026; element dates vary by occupation. Published August 25, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.