Median Salary
$91,640
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$44.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$136,660
entry level starts ~$62,250
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 47,000 employed
How much does a Budget Analyst make?
The median pay for a Budget Analyst in the United States is $91,640 per year — about $44.06 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $62,250, while the most experienced Budget Analysts in the top 10% earn $136,660.
That is $30,250 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Budget Analyst salary range by percentile
Half of all Budget Analysts earn between $75,320 and $114,220 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,250 | $29.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,320 | $36.21 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $91,640 | $44.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $114,220 | $54.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,660 | $65.70 |
|
Highest-paying states for Budget Analyst
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Budget Analyst pay at $124,590 a year, followed by Maryland ($106,020) and Virginia ($105,470). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $71,800 — a gap of $52,790 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Budget Analyst salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
District of Columbia $124,590Maryland $106,020Virginia $105,470California $99,520Alabama $99,490Colorado $97,100Washington $96,640Michigan $96,430New Jersey $96,250Connecticut $95,440Oregon $95,250Illinois $94,880Alaska $94,740Vermont $93,430Rhode Island $92,790New Hampshire $92,600Hawaii $92,380Massachusetts $92,260Georgia $91,870Ohio $89,840Utah $88,610New York $88,540Maine $88,130New Mexico $87,360Tennessee $86,570Iowa $86,550South Carolina $86,260Minnesota $85,970Arizona $84,810Pennsylvania $84,240Florida $84,170Idaho $83,220Nebraska $83,010Texas $82,970North Carolina $82,350Wisconsin $82,180Indiana $82,080Delaware $82,000Missouri $81,980Nevada $81,600Wyoming $81,100Oklahoma $80,990Louisiana $80,530Kansas $80,140Montana $79,700South Dakota $79,180Mississippi $78,850West Virginia $78,850North Dakota $77,400Kentucky $76,860Arkansas $71,800
Workforce and education
About 47,000 people work as Budget Analysts in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $96,370 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Budget Analyst make in the United States?
The median Budget Analyst salary in the United States is $91,640 per year, or about $44.06 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $62,250, while the top 10% of earners make $136,660 or more.
How does Budget Analyst pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Budget Analyst median of $91,640 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Budget Analysts the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Budget Analysts, with a median salary of $124,590 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Budget Analyst?
Becoming a Budget Analyst typically requires about 4 years of college. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
How many Budget Analysts work in the United States?
About 47,000 people were employed as Budget Analysts in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.