Budget Analyst Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia DC | $125,050 | $60.12/hr | $78,697 | 4,100 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #2 | Iowa IA | $103,205 | $49.62/hr | $104,352 | 370 | Iowa City, IA | 98.9 |
| #3 | Maryland MD | $101,215 | $48.66/hr | $86,805 | 1,210 | Lexington Park, MD | 116.6 |
| #4 | California CA | $100,391 | $48.27/hr | $66,972 | 3,830 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 149.9 |
| #5 | Connecticut CT | $99,720 | $47.94/hr | $75,660 | 780 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 131.8 |
| #6 | Colorado CO | $99,318 | $47.75/hr | $79,518 | 1,200 | Greeley, CO | 124.9 |
| #7 | Vermont VT | $98,070 | $47.15/hr | $67,355 | 50 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 145.6 |
| #8 | Michigan MI | $96,630 | $46.46/hr | $93,724 | 840 | Ann Arbor, MI | 103.1 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Fund accounting, budget variance tracking, financial reporting spreadsheets
Departmental appropriation requests, fiscal impact statements, revenue forecasting
Legislative/board budget defense, capital expenditure planning, fiscal policy analysis
Enterprise / municipal budget formulation, fiscal policy governance
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Budget Analyst: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Business Operations Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Business Operations occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Budget Analyst. Official 2026 economic data for Budget Analyst compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Budget Analyst range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Budget Analyst: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Budget Analyst is $91,640 per year ($44.06/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 174 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $61,300 in Athens-Clarke County, GA to $134,850 in Iowa City, IA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Budget Analyst
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $134,850 | +47.2% |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $131,730 | +43.7% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $127,860 | +39.5% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,050 | +36.5% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $117,360 | +28.1% |
| Huntsville, AL | $113,400 | +23.7% |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $110,470 | +20.5% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $107,010 | +16.8% |
| Gainesville, GA | $106,610 | +16.3% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $106,280 | +16.0% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $104,090 | +13.6% |
| Salinas, CA | $103,970 | +13.5% |