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Budget analyst: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$91,640median pay per year, or $44.06 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $62,250lowest 10% earn less
  2. $75,32025th percentile
  3. $91,640median
  4. $114,22075th percentile
  5. $136,660top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Budget analysts had a median pay of $91,640 a year in May 2025, well above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education, and jobs are projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.9%[4]
Openings per year
2,900[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[3]

How much do budget analysts make?

The median wage for budget analysts was $91,640 a year, or $44.06 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $96,370 a year, or $46.33 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

Here is the spread of annual and hourly wages[5][8]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[5][8] $62,250 $29.93
25th[5][8] $75,320 $36.21
75th[5][8] $114,220 $54.91
90th[5][8] $136,660 $65.70

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $62,250, and the top 10% earned more than $136,660[5]. A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median pay at $124,590[11]. Maryland ($106,020), Virginia ($105,470), California ($99,520) and Alabama ($99,490) followed in the state list[11]. Arkansas was last at $71,800[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top median, $131,730[12], was in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ($125,050) and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ($117,360) came next[12].

The most jobs were in California (4,160), Texas (3,340), Florida (3,150), New York (2,760) and Virginia (2,730)[13]. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area had the most jobs of any metro area, at 4,100[14]. New York-Newark-Jersey City followed with 1,950[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$124,5901,490
Maryland$106,0202,490
Virginia$105,4702,730
California$99,5204,160
Alabama$99,490870
Colorado$97,1001,290
Washington$96,6401,510
Michigan$96,4301,020
New Jersey$96,250840
Connecticut$95,440970
Oregon$95,2501,090
Illinois$94,880750
Alaska$94,740220
Vermont$93,43090
Rhode Island$92,79090
New Hampshire$92,60080
Hawaii$92,380210
Massachusetts$92,2601,280
Georgia$91,8701,900
Ohio$89,840800
Utah$88,610280
New York$88,5402,760
Maine$88,130200
New Mexico$87,360740
Tennessee$86,5701,140
Iowa$86,550390
South Carolina$86,260470
Minnesota$85,970450
Arizona$84,810730
Pennsylvania$84,2401,490
Florida$84,1703,150
Idaho$83,220190
Nebraska$83,010200
Texas$82,9703,340
North Carolina$82,3501,830
Wisconsin$82,180820
Indiana$82,080390
Delaware$82,000260
Missouri$81,980520
Nevada$81,600440
Wyoming$81,10080
Oklahoma$80,990670
Louisiana$80,530330
Kansas$80,140270
Montana$79,700360
South Dakota$79,180120
Mississippi$78,850390
West Virginia$78,850180
North Dakota$77,400150
Kentucky$76,860630
Arkansas$71,800320

How to become a budget analyst

The usual path needs a bachelor's degree, no work experience in a related occupation, and no on-the-job training[3]. The steps look like this:

Certification is not required. Some budget analysts earn a professional certification, which may help them move up[18].

In an O*NET survey of 17 workers, 77% said a bachelor's degree was required, 13% said a high school diploma or equivalent, and 8% said a master's degree[19].

Our facts do not say how long it takes or what a degree costs.

The job calls for analytical, communication, detail, math and writing skills[20][21][22][23][24].

What budget analysts do

Budget analysts check budget estimates for completeness and accuracy, and they study budgeting and accounting reports[25]. Typical tasks include:

Workers in O*NET report job titles such as budget officer, fiscal analyst and cost analyst[27].

Where they work

Budget analysts usually work in offices, though they may travel to see budget details firsthand or to verify funding[28]. Their schedules are usually full time, and overtime is sometimes needed during budget development, mid-year and final reviews[29]. Deadlines can bring pressure[29].

The federal government was the largest employer in 2025, at 26% of budget analysts[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of budget analysts to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 50,400 to 51,300 jobs, a change of +1,000[4]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[31]. These counts include self-employed workers[4].

About 2,900 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.1% of workers leave the labor force and 3.5% move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay well above the all-occupations median[1][2] and a bachelor's degree as the typical entry step[3]. Growth is slower than the rate for all occupations[4][31], but openings still arise each year[6]. The work is usually office based and rests on analysis, math and writing[28][20][23][24]. Pay varies by place, with state medians from $71,800 to $124,590[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[33].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a budget analyst make an hour?
The median was $44.06 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $46.33 an hour[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a budget analyst?
The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree[3]. Some employers prefer a master's degree[16].
Is budget analyst a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035[4], compared with 3.5% for all occupations[31]. About 2,900 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for budget analysts?
The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $124,590 in May 2025[11]. Maryland came next at $106,020[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Budget Analysts in the US was $91,640 per year and $44.06 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Budget Analysts: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Budget Analysts is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 50,400 to 51,300 jobs (a change of +1,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Budget Analysts: 10th percentile $62,250, 25th percentile $75,320, 75th percentile $114,220, 90th percentile $136,660. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,900 openings for Budget Analysts are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Budget Analysts was $96,370 per year and $46.33 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Budget Analysts: 10th percentile $29.93, 25th percentile $36.21, 75th percentile $54.91, 90th percentile $65.70. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Budget Analysts in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Budget Analysts (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $131,730; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $125,050; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $117,360; Huntsville, AL $113,400; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $107,010; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $104,090; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $102,260; Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $102,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Budget Analysts jobs: California 4,160; Texas 3,340; Florida 3,150; New York 2,760; Virginia 2,730. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Budget Analysts jobs: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,100 (median $125,050); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,950 (median $96,340); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,170 (median $99,880); Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 1,150 (median $96,150); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,070 (median $96,870); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 930 (median $98,330). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 13-2031.00 survey of workers (17 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 77%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 13%, Master's Degree 8% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET description of Budget Analysts. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET task list for Budget Analysts. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET 13-2031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Budget Analyst, Budget and Policy Analyst, Budget Coordinator, Budget Officer, Budget Planning Analyst, Cost Analyst, Financial Services Officer, Fiscal Analyst. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of budget analysts in 2025: Federal government 26%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Budget Analysts: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.