How much does a budget analyst make?
The median budget analyst in the United States earns $91,640 per year, about $44.06 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all budget analysts earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-2031.
Budget analyst salary range
Pay for budget analysts spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $62,250 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $136,660. The average (mean) wage of $96,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,250 | $29.93 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $75,320 | $36.21 | |
| Median (50th) | $91,640 | $44.06 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $114,220 | $54.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $136,660 | $65.70 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for budget analysts (SOC 13-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Budget analyst salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Budget analysts earn the most in District of Columbia at $124,590 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $71,800. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $124,590 | 1,490 |
| Maryland | $106,020 | 2,490 |
| Virginia | $105,470 | 2,730 |
| California | $99,520 | 4,160 |
| Alabama | $99,490 | 870 |
| Colorado | $97,100 | 1,290 |
| Washington | $96,640 | 1,510 |
| Michigan | $96,430 | 1,020 |
| New Jersey | $96,250 | 840 |
| Connecticut | $95,440 | 970 |
| Oregon | $95,250 | 1,090 |
| Illinois | $94,880 | 750 |
| Alaska | $94,740 | 220 |
| Vermont | $93,430 | 90 |
| Rhode Island | $92,790 | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $92,600 | 80 |
| Hawaii | $92,380 | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $92,260 | 1,280 |
| Georgia | $91,870 | 1,900 |
| Ohio | $89,840 | 800 |
| Utah | $88,610 | 280 |
| New York | $88,540 | 2,760 |
| Maine | $88,130 | 200 |
| New Mexico | $87,360 | 740 |
| Tennessee | $86,570 | 1,140 |
| Iowa | $86,550 | 390 |
| South Carolina | $86,260 | 470 |
| Minnesota | $85,970 | 450 |
| Arizona | $84,810 | 730 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,240 | 1,490 |
| Florida | $84,170 | 3,150 |
| Idaho | $83,220 | 190 |
| Nebraska | $83,010 | 200 |
| Texas | $82,970 | 3,340 |
| North Carolina | $82,350 | 1,830 |
| Wisconsin | $82,180 | 820 |
| Indiana | $82,080 | 390 |
| Delaware | $82,000 | 260 |
| Missouri | $81,980 | 520 |
| Nevada | $81,600 | 440 |
| Wyoming | $81,100 | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $80,990 | 670 |
| Louisiana | $80,530 | 330 |
| Kansas | $80,140 | 270 |
| Montana | $79,700 | 360 |
| South Dakota | $79,180 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $78,850 | 390 |
| West Virginia | $78,850 | 180 |
| North Dakota | $77,400 | 150 |
| Kentucky | $76,860 | 630 |
| Arkansas | $71,800 | 320 |
State median wages for budget analysts (SOC 13-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for budget analysts
The BLS projects employment of budget analysts to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 50,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 51,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,900 openings a year for budget analysts. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a budget analyst
The typical entry-level education for budget analysts is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a budget analyst earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $124,590) and the lowest (Arkansas, $71,800) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 47,160 people work as budget analysts in the United States. At $91,640 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Budget analyst salary FAQ
How much does a budget analyst make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a budget analyst is $44.06. The middle half of budget analysts earn between $36.21 and $54.91 per hour.
What is the highest budget analyst salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of budget analysts earn more than $136,660 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a budget analyst make a year?
The median annual salary for a budget analyst is $91,640. The average (mean) wage of $96,370 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a budget analyst a well paid job?
At $91,640 a year, a budget analyst earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 47,160 people work as budget analysts in the United States.
Which state pays budget analysts the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for budget analysts at $124,590 a year. Maryland ($106,020) and Virginia ($105,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a budget analyst a good career?
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 1.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a budget analyst?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for budget analysts as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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