Data Scientist vs Actuary Salary (2026)
Side-by-side salary comparison based on BLS OES data. Updated 2026.
Higher paying occupation
Actuary
$124,781/yr median(+$17,500 · 16.3% more)
Data Scientist
Median$107,281
Mean$113,687
10th %ile$66,363
25th %ile$82,902
75th %ile$138,125
90th %ile$167,412
Employed262K+
Higher pay
Actuary
Median$124,781
Mean$132,599
10th %ile$78,523
25th %ile$96,053
75th %ile$159,870
90th %ile$199,213
Employed24K+
Salary Distribution Comparison
Data Scientist
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,363 |
| 25th percentile | $82,902 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $107,281 |
| 75th percentile | $138,125 |
| 90th percentile | $167,412 |
Actuary
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $78,523 |
| 25th percentile | $96,053 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $124,781 |
| 75th percentile | $159,870 |
| 90th percentile | $199,213 |
Top Paying States
Data Scientist
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $163,350 |
| 2 | California | $141,590 |
| 3 | Maryland | $136,370 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $135,280 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $131,750 |
Actuary
| # | State | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $166,800 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $166,230 |
| 3 | New York | $156,480 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $142,800 |
| 5 | Alabama | $136,950 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which pays more, Data Scientist or Actuary?
- Actuary pays more with a median salary of $124,781/year, which is 16.3% more than Data Scientist at $107,281/year.
- What is the salary difference between Data Scientist and Actuary?
- The median salary difference is $17,500/year (16.3%).