Among four established U.S. occupations connected to AI, computer and information research scientists have the highest median pay, while data scientists have the fastest projected growth. Those figures describe entire occupations—not AI-only job titles—and the best fit depends on whether you prefer research, data analysis, software building, or improving business systems.
How the four AI-adjacent careers compare
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies workers by occupation, not by whether their job title includes “AI.” These May 2025 wage medians are useful benchmarks for related work, but they are not salaries specifically for AI roles. Pay also varies by experience, industry, location, and responsibilities.
| Occupation | May 2025 median annual pay | Projected employment change, 2025–35 | Typical education and work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and information research scientist | $140,300 | 22% | Typically a master’s degree or higher; conducts research on algorithms, experiments, and new computing technology. |
| Software developer | $135,980 | 10% for the combined software developer, quality assurance analyst, and tester group | Typically a bachelor’s degree in computer or information technology, or a related field; designs applications and programs. |
| Data scientist | $120,230 | 35% | Typically at least a bachelor’s degree; analyzes data to extract insights. |
| Computer systems analyst | $105,850 | 8% | Typically a bachelor’s degree; studies systems and designs efficiency improvements. |
Sources: BLS profiles for computer and information research scientists, software developers, data scientists, and computer systems analysts. The software outlook applies to the combined developer, QA analyst, and tester group, not developers alone. The BLS figures are projections, not guarantees.
Which path pays more?
By the May 2025 U.S. median, computer and information research scientists lead these four benchmarks at $140,300, followed by software developers at $135,980. That ranking is for occupation-wide wages; it does not establish that an AI-branded role in one occupation will outpay a role in another.
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The education trade-off matters when weighing pay: research science typically calls for graduate study, while data science, software development, and systems analysis typically have bachelor’s-level entry routes. A median wage is not a promise of what a new graduate will earn.
Which path is growing fastest?
Data science has the strongest projected employment growth in this comparison: 35% from 2025 to 2035. BLS cites rising volumes and use of data and expects firms to continue integrating AI-based systems into workflows as factors behind demand. The profile reports about 24,800 openings per year on average over the decade.
Research scientist employment is projected to grow 22%, with about 2,900 annual openings. For software developers, QA analysts, and testers together, projected growth is 10% and the group has about 106,100 annual openings. Systems analyst employment is projected to grow 8%, with about 32,900 annual openings. Annual openings include replacement needs as well as new jobs, so they are not counts of newly created positions.
These projections measure different-sized occupations and should not be read as a direct comparison of how many AI-specific jobs will be available. BLS describes research scientists as contributing expertise to new technologies such as AI, and notes that organizations expanding IT, including AI, may hire systems analysts to design and install systems.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat the work is like—and who may enjoy it
Fit is a practical judgment based on the work, not a validated personality test. Consider which kinds of problems you would want to spend much of your working time solving.
Computer and information research scientist
This path centers on research: developing or evaluating algorithms, designing experiments, and working on new computing technology. It may suit you if you enjoy advanced mathematics and open-ended technical questions and are willing to pursue graduate education.
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Data scientist
Data scientists analyze information to find patterns and support decisions. BLS describes their work this way: “Data scientists use analytical tools and techniques to extract meaningful insights from data.” (BLS Data Scientists profile.) Consider this path if you like statistics, programming, working through messy data, and explaining findings to other people.
Software developer
Developers design and build applications and programs, then maintain and improve them. This may be a good fit if you prefer writing code and turning requirements into working software that can be shipped and used.
Computer systems analyst
Systems analysts study how organizations use computer systems and recommend ways to make them more effective. The role may suit you if you like understanding business needs, improving workflows, and translating between users and technical teams.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What UK vacancy data says—and what it does not
Separate from the U.S. occupational benchmarks, the UK Department for Education’s 2026 summary of its vacancy analysis reports that 99% of UK AI-expert vacancies required at least a bachelor’s degree; 37% requested a PhD and 29% a master’s degree. It reports a 42% median advertised salary premium for UK AI-expert roles over wider IT roles. These are findings about advertised UK vacancies, not realized U.S. wages or lifetime earnings. (UK Department for Education, AI Skills for Life and Work summary.)
The same report says AI-related vacancies made up about 1.7% of all UK job postings during 2021–2023, and 60% of AI-expert vacancies in 2023 were advertised in London and the South East. It identifies demand across IT and technology, education, finance, and consulting. Those figures help describe the UK market, but they should not be combined with U.S. BLS wages or projections.
How to choose a path
- Choose the work before the label. Decide whether research, data analysis, building software, or improving systems sounds most appealing day to day.
- Check the preparation you are willing to pursue. Research science typically requires graduate education; the other three paths typically list a bachelor’s degree as the usual entry education.
- Try a small, relevant project. Analyze a dataset, build a simple application, map a workflow and propose an improvement, or explore an algorithmic question. A small project can help you notice which work you enjoy; it does not substitute for a credential where employers require one.
- Talk with people doing the work. Informational interviews can clarify what a role involves in a particular industry or organization. No single course, credential, or program is established here as the best route.
BLS pages use May 2025 wages and 2025–35 projections; later releases may change the figures. The comparison covers four AI-adjacent occupations, not every possible AI career or a definitive salary ranking for AI specialists.
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