Budget Analysts earn a median of $91,640 per year ($44.06/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 1.9% through 2035, with about 2,900 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 13-2031
- Business and Financial Operations
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Budget Analyst in four numbers
- Median pay
- $91,640a year, or $44.06/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $62KTop 10% $137K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.9%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,90050,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202550.4K
- Projected 203551.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 50.4K Projected 2035 51.3K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school12.6%
- Some college2.4%
- Bachelor's77.5%
- Master's7.6%
Highest education held by budget analysts Segment Value High school 12.6% Some college 2.4% Bachelor's 77.5% Master's 7.6%
Also advertised as: Budget Analyst, Budget and Policy Analyst, Budget Coordinator, Budget Officer, Budget Planning Analyst, Cost Analyst.
Pay
How much do Budget Analysts make?
Every budget analyst in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$91,640
Middle half earn $75,320 to $114,220
- 10th
- $62,250
- 25th
- $75,320
- 75th
- $114,220
- 90th
- $136,660
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $62,250 |
| 25th | $75,320 |
| Median | $91,640 |
| 75th | $114,220 |
| 90th | $136,660 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $91,640
- Median hourly wage
- $44.06/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $96,370
- People employed
- 47,160
Versus all US occupations
At $91,640, Budget Analysts earn 80% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $40,660 a year.
Versus business and financial operations occupations
Inside the Business and Financial Operations group, where the middle occupation pays $80,730, this is 14% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $136,660 or more while the bottom 10% earn $62,250, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 67% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $124,590, and still leads at $113,366 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Budget Analysts the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $124,590 | $113,366 | 1,490 |
| 2Maryland | $106,020 | $101,011 | 2,490 |
| 3Virginia | $105,470 | $104,318 | 2,730 |
| 4California | $99,520 | $89,884 | 4,160 |
| 5Alabama | $99,490 | $112,009 | 870 |
| 6Colorado | $97,100 | $94,224 | 1,290 |
| 7Washington | $96,640 | $90,307 | 1,510 |
| 8Michigan | $96,430 | $100,221 | 1,020 |
| 9New Jersey | $96,250 | $88,461 | 840 |
| 10Connecticut | $95,440 | $92,115 | 970 |
Job outlook
Is Budget Analyst a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.9% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Budget Analysts | +1.9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Budget Analysts to change 1.9% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,000 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,900 openings are projected each year, 5.8% of the 50,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,900 openings for budget analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Calls for efficient use of public funds will lead to continued demand for budget analysts to estimate program costs, develop budgets, and explain their findings to legislators and the public. Demand for these workers is somewhat tied to the government funding that is allocated for these positions. However, budget analysts manage resource allocation and will be needed even during times of tight budgets.
Getting in
How to become a Budget Analyst
Budget analysts typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Some employers prefer to hire applicants who have a master's degree. Courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as budget analysts.
- Bachelor's Degree77.5%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)12.6%
- Master's Degree7.6%
- Some College Courses2.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 77.5% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 12.6% |
| Master's Degree | 7.6% |
| Some College Courses | 2.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Budget Analyst do?
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Budget analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances. They prepare budget reports and monitor organizational spending.
Day-to-day tasks
- Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.
- Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
- Seek new ways to improve efficiency and increase profits.
- Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.
- Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.
- Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.
- Compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most budget analysts work full time, and overtime is sometimes required during development, mid-year, and final reviews of budgets. The pressures of deadlines and tight work schedules may be stressful.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where budget analysts work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Federal government26%
- Educational services; state, local, and private15%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals13%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals11%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Federal government | 26% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 15% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 13% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 9% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Mathematics3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Active Learning3.3
- Writing3.1
- Monitoring3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Management of Financial Resources3.4
- Systems Analysis3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Coordination2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Management of Financial Resources | 3.4 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Business intelligence and data analysis software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Budget Analyst?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Budget Analyst |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 7 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional7.0
- Enterprising4.9
- Investigative3.7
- Social2.3
- Artistic1.6
- Realistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Budget Analyst
O*NET related occupations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Management
- Management
- Business and Financial Operations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Business and Financial Operations
More business and financial operations careers
Median annual pay, with budget analysts highlighted
- Financial Advisor$105,070
- Budget Analyst$91,640
- Accountant$83,680
- Insurance Underwriter$81,370
- Coroner$80,730
- Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator$78,000
- Loan Officer$76,690
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940
- Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate$67,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 |
| Budget Analyst | $91,640 |
| Accountant | $83,680 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 |
| Coroner | $80,730 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator | $78,000 |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 |
| Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate | $67,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Budget Analyst appears on
Questions
Budget Analyst: frequently asked questions
How much do Budget Analysts make?
Budget Analysts earn a median of $91,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 80% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $44.06/hr. The middle half earn between $75,320 and $114,220. The top 10% earn $136,660 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Budget Analyst?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Budget Analysts, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 77.5% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Budget Analyst a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.9% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,900 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Budget Analyst do?
Budget analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances. A core O*NET task: analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls. Employers most often ask for Business intelligence and data analysis software, Data base user interface and query software, Development environment software.
Which states pay Budget Analysts the most?
The highest state medians for Budget Analysts are District of Columbia ($124,590), Maryland ($106,020), Virginia ($105,470) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Budget Analyst?
O*NET scores Budget Analysts highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ESTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.