How much does a budget analyst make?
Answer: A typical budget analyst in the United States makes $91,640 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 47,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Budget analyst pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $62,250 | $91,640 | $136,660 | about 47,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $124,590 | about 1,000 |
| Maryland | $106,020 | about 2,000 |
| Virginia | $105,470 | about 3,000 |
| California | $99,520 | about 4,000 |
| Alabama | $99,490 | about 870 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ by employer, such as a federal agency, business, or school, and by location. Experience and useful credentials can matter, too, and budget deadlines sometimes bring overtime.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a budget analyst do?
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports. Excludes “Financial and Investment Analysts” (13-2051).
What's a typical day like?
They check departments’ funding requests against rules and past spending, then track whether real spending stays within the approved budget. They put findings in reports and explain options to managers.
How to get this job
In the United States, most budget analysts earn a bachelor’s degree in business, math, or a related field; accounting, economics, and statistics classes help. A master’s degree may help, but certification is optional and no license is required.
Usually a bachelor's degree (preparation level 4 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and leading and selling.
Did you know?
Some U.S. budget analysts help evaluate policies and even draft laws about budgets.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Business and Financial Operations jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-2031.00
- data.bls.gov/oesprofile/?major_group=130000&occupation=132031&measure=01&areas=I
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY