Budget Analyst Salary Outlook

Created by Henry Steele

By Henry Steele - May 3, 2017
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Reading Time: 12 minutes

The following article discusses the job of a Budget Analyst. It highlights what they do, their work environment, how to become one, training, certification & education requirements. More importantly, both national and state salary figures are included along with names of employers who have recently posted a job to hire a Budget Analyst.

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What We Do

Budget analysts help private and public entities to organize their finances by preparing budget reports and monitoring how funds are spent. They advise many types of organizations – including universities, businesses and governments – on the most effective ways to manage and organize their finances.

See also 8 Best Entry Level Business & Analyst Jobs

Budget analysts also regularly assemble annual and special reports, as well as evaluate new budget proposals. They also analyze budget and financial data to determine what the costs and benefits are of different programs and recommend levels of funding based upon what is found.

Other job duties are:

  • Work with project managers to come up with the budget for the organization for the year or quarter
  • Review the budget proposals for managers to ensure they are complete and accurate
  • Combine department and program budgets into one large budget and review funding requests
  • Provide explanations for each funding request to others, including managers, legislators and the general public
  • Oversee spending of the organization to ensure that it is under budget
  • Study future financial needs and lay out prospective budgets

Work Environment

Budget analysts held roughly 61,000 jobs in the US as of 2014. The industries and sectors that employ the largest numbers of budget analysts are:

  • Federal government: 20%
  • State, local and private educational services: 15%
  • State government: 13%
  • Professional, scientific and technical services: 10%
  • Local government: 10%

The duties of the budget analyst will vary considerably depending upon which sector employs them. Nonprofit and government budget analysts concentrate on finding the most efficient methods to distribute funds to departments and programs. Budget analysts in private companies mostly review the budget and find innovative ways to boost efficiency and profits.

How to Become

People who want to become budget analysts should focus on high school courses in accounting, finance and statistics. Once they are in college, they can earn a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields, or possibly business administration.

Training & Certification

Budget analysts who are employed by the federal government may enhance their career options by earning the Certified Government Financial Manager credential that is offered by the Association of Government Accountants.

Earning this credential requires a bachelor’s degree, two years of experience in government financial management, and then you must pass several exams.

Education Requirements

Budget analysts who are employed by the federal government may enhance their career options by earning the Certified Government Financial Manager credential that is offered by the Association of Government Accountants.

Earning this credential requires a bachelor’s degree, two years of experience in government financial management, and then you must pass several exams.

Degrees required:

National Salary

The national average salary estimate for Budget Analyst was $62,971. This number is estimated from over 5,500 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $32.80 and monthly of $5,248.

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$18,000

$133,000

Salary Distribution

Salary by State

The following section lists Budget Analyst salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $85,518 while Arkansas had the smallest quoted salary of $47,265.

Alaska$72,643 (●Meets national average)Rank: 4th
The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army and Workplace Alaska.

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$29,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Alabama$65,246 (●Meets national average)Rank: 13th
The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ARMY CONTRACTING COMMAND, United States Department Of Defense, U.S. Air Force, and Federal Government Jobs.

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$16,000

$147,000

Salary Distribution
Arkansas$47,265 (▼25% Below national average)Rank: 51st
The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, department of finance & administration, Arkansas Department Of Human Services, and Arkansas Department of Health.

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$17,000

$91,000

Salary Distribution
Arizona$57,336 (▼9% Below national average)Rank: 34th
The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Indian Health Service, Department of the Interior, U.S. Army, and City of Tucson.

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$22,000

$109,000

Salary Distribution
California$67,231 (▲7% Above national average)Rank: 11th
The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like San Jose/Evergreen Community College District, Kern Community College District, HAYWARD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, and Air Force Space and Missile Sys Ctr Civilian Careers.

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$24,000

$131,000

Salary Distribution
Colorado$60,383 (●Meets national average)Rank: 23rd
The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and City and County of Denver.

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$20,000

$120,000

Salary Distribution
Connecticut$62,377 (●Meets national average)Rank: 17th
The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting and Accountemps.

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$24,000

$119,000

Salary Distribution
DC$85,518 (▲36% Above national average)Rank: 1st
The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Labor, Inlabora, Department of Energy, and U.S. Department of State.

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$28,000

$173,000

Salary Distribution
Delaware$69,035 (▲10% Above national average)Rank: 10th
The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Accountemps.

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$29,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
Florida$56,943 (▼10% Below national average)Rank: 35th
The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Broward County Public Schools, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and School Board of Broward County, Florida.

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$21,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Georgia$51,837 (▼18% Below national average)Rank: 46th
The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Air Force, Emory University, and U.S. Army.

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$14,000

$118,000

Salary Distribution
Hawaii$69,256 (▼6% Below national average)Rank: 9th
The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$22,000

$141,000

Salary Distribution
Iowa$58,437 (▼7% Below national average)Rank: 29th
The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army.

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$19,000

$119,000

Salary Distribution
Idaho$59,082 (▼6% Below national average)Rank: 27th
The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

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$20,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
Illinois$58,418 (▼7% Below national average)Rank: 30th
The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Chicago Transit Authority, Parker and Lynch, U.S. Army, and United States Department Of Defense.

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$19,000

$119,000

Salary Distribution
Indiana$57,431 (▼9% Below national average)Rank: 33rd
The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and U.S. Air Force.

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$26,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
Kansas$66,131 (▼11% Below national average)Rank: 12th
The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$25,000

$125,000

Salary Distribution
Kentucky$63,425 (●Meets national average)Rank: 16th
The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, University of Kentucky, U.S. Army, and Federal Government Jobs.

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$23,000

$122,000

Salary Distribution
Louisiana$48,732 (▼9% Below national average)Rank: 50th
The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Louisiana.

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$1,200

$8,900

Salary Distribution
Massachusetts$63,839 (●Meets national average)Rank: 15th
The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like City of Cambridge, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and University of Massachusetts Boston.

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$27,000

$115,000

Salary Distribution
Maryland$59,512 (▼6% Below national average)Rank: 25th
The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Prince George’s County, MD, Federal Government Jobs, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army.

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$17,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Maine$70,041 (▲47% Above national average)Rank: 8th
The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mountain, Ltd.

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$18.25

$54.75

Salary Distribution
Michigan$58,254 (▼8% Below national average)Rank: 31st
The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, City of Ann Arbor, U.S. Army, and Venteon.

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$23,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
Minnesota$73,823 (●Meets national average)Rank: 3rd
The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$29,000

$137,000

Salary Distribution
Missouri$54,232 (▼14% Below national average)Rank: 43rd
The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army, Missouri House of Representatives, and Accountemps.

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$17,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
Mississippi$54,832 (▼13% Below national average)Rank: 42nd
The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army.

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$27,000

$92,000

Salary Distribution
Montana$53,500 (▼15% Below national average)Rank: 44th
The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of the Interior, Federal Government Jobs, and State of Montana.

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$27,000

$85,000

Salary Distribution
North Carolina$61,977 (●Meets national average)Rank: 20th
The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and National Guard.

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$25,000

$115,000

Salary Distribution
North Dakota$56,268 (▼11% Below national average)Rank: 38th
The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Health and Human Services and Indian Health Service.

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$27,000

$95,000

Salary Distribution
Nebraska$51,949 (▼18% Below national average)Rank: 45th
The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Nebraska Medical Center.

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$22,000

$94,000

Salary Distribution
New Hampshire$70,264 (●Meets national average)Rank: 7th
The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$31,000

$124,000

Salary Distribution
New Jersey$61,777 (●Meets national average)Rank: 22nd
The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Execu|Search, Rutgers University, U.S. Army, and BEYIN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LLC.

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$28,000

$109,000

Salary Distribution
New Mexico$50,402 (▼20% Below national average)Rank: 48th
The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Bernalillo County Government, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, and New Mexico State Personnel Office.

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$17,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
Nevada$62,239 (●Meets national average)Rank: 18th
The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas, Department of the Interior, and Accountemps.

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$27,000

$111,000

Salary Distribution
New York$57,851 (▼8% Below national average)Rank: 32nd
The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Firstrade Securities Inc., DEPT OF DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and ADMIN FOR CHILDREN’S SVCS.

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$23,000

$107,000

Salary Distribution
Ohio$58,784 (▼7% Below national average)Rank: 28th
The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, Air Force Acquisition, U.S. Army, and Central Ohio Transit Authority.

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$16,000

$127,000

Salary Distribution
Oklahoma$61,904 (●Meets national average)Rank: 21st
The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Air Force Acquisition, Robert Half Finance & Accounting, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army.

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$22,000

$122,000

Salary Distribution
Oregon$62,035 (●Meets national average)Rank: 19th
The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Multnomah County, OR, Department of the Interior, State of Oregon, and Accountemps.

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$24,000

$117,000

Salary Distribution
Pennsylvania$51,236 (▼19% Below national average)Rank: 47th
The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Accountemps.

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$16,000

$104,000

Salary Distribution
Rhode Island$71,650 (●Meets national average)Rank: 6th
The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$28,000

$134,000

Salary Distribution
South Carolina$56,508 (▼10% Below national average)Rank: 37th
The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Army.

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$18,000

$114,000

Salary Distribution
South Dakota$56,137 (▼24% Below national average)Rank: 39th
The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$25,000

$100,000

Salary Distribution
Tennessee$55,097 (▼13% Below national average)Rank: 41st
The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Accountemps.

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$25,000

$97,000

Salary Distribution
Texas$56,521 (▼10% Below national average)Rank: 36th
The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Robert Half Finance & Accounting, U.S. Air Force, Federal Government Jobs, and U.S. Army.

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$21,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
Utah$59,340 (▼6% Below national average)Rank: 26th
The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Utah Valley University.

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$22,000

$114,000

Salary Distribution
Virginia$75,141 (▲19% Above national average)Rank: 2nd
The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like United States Department Of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army, and USAJOBS.

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$22,000

$158,000

Salary Distribution
Vermont$63,873 (▼14% Below national average)Rank: 14th
The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$31,000

$108,000

Salary Distribution
Washington$49,848 (▼7% Below national average)Rank: 49th
The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Calloway & Associates, Inc., Snohomish County Finance Department, Federal Government Jobs, and U.S. Army.

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$2,000

$7,100

Salary Distribution
Wisconsin$55,980 (▼11% Below national average)Rank: 40th
The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Milwaukee Public Schools and U.S. Army.

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$24,000

$101,000

Salary Distribution
West Virginia$72,449 (●Meets national average)Rank: 5th
The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$14,000

$196,000

Salary Distribution
Wyoming$59,801 (▼19% Below national average)Rank: 24th
The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were no current job openings from employers in this state.

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$22,000

$114,000

Salary Distribution

Top 20 National Employers

According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Budget Analyst. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

Employer NameLocationAverage Salary

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Henry Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.

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