Data Scientist vs Actuary Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Actuary
$121,524/yr median(+$16,051 · 15.2% more)
Data Scientist
Median$105,473
Mean$110,908
10th %ile$62,840
25th %ile$79,848
75th %ile$134,961
90th %ile$163,371
Employed234K+
Higher pay
Actuary
Median$121,524
Mean$128,392
10th %ile$73,842
25th %ile$89,890
75th %ile$156,664
90th %ile$186,419
Employed27K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Data Scientist
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,840 |
| 25th percentile | $79,848 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $105,473 |
| 75th percentile | $134,961 |
| 90th percentile | $163,371 |
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,842 |
| 25th percentile | $89,890 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $121,524 |
| 75th percentile | $156,664 |
| 90th percentile | $186,419 |
Top Paying States
Data Scientist
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $158,760 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $137,120 |
| 3 | California | $136,800 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $132,250 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $130,370 |
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $153,340 |
| 2 | Washington | $153,260 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $148,220 |
| 4 | Alabama | $143,230 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $137,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Data Scientist or Actuary?
- Actuary pays more with a median salary of $121,524/year, which is 15.2% more than Data Scientist at $105,473/year.
- What is the salary difference between Data Scientist and Actuary?
- The median salary difference is $16,051/year (15.2%).