Budget Analysts

SOC: 13-2031 O*NET: 13-2031.00
Median Salary
$87,930
per year
Job Growth
📉 1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

What does a Budget Analysts do?

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$60,510
10th percentile
Early Career
$72,240
25th percentile
Median
$87,930
50th percentile
Experienced
$110,380
75th percentile
Top Earners
$134,640
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$60,510
25th
$72,240
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$87,930
Mean: $93,920
75th
$110,380
90th
$134,640
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $74,130 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $72,240 and $110,380
  • Salary spread is 43.4% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 47,170 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:50,400

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.4%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.4%
Management of Companies and Enterprises5.6%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+1%
Annual Openings:3,100

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)50,400
Current
2034 (Projected)51,000
+1%
+500
Employment Change
+1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: More slowly than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Budget Analysts professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
3,840 jobs$79,4500.91x
California
3,700 jobs$103,9000.67x
Florida
3,450 jobs$79,8801.15x
Virginia
2,940 jobs$108,7402.37x
Maryland
2,870 jobs$101,4203.41x
New York
2,740 jobs$86,3100.94x
Georgia
1,890 jobs$89,8101.27x
District of Columbia
1,720 jobs$117,9607.91x
North Carolina
1,680 jobs$79,2101.12x
Colorado
1,450 jobs$96,6801.64x
Massachusetts
1,380 jobs$88,2701.24x
Washington
1,300 jobs$88,4001.20x
Tennessee
1,090 jobs$83,7401.09x
Pennsylvania
990 jobs$80,5800.54x
Oregon
980 jobs$94,6401.62x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

    Standard growth expectations for this occupation

    What skills do you need?

    Top 10 Most Important Skills

    #1
    Critical Thinking
    100%
    #2
    Mathematics
    94%
    #3
    Active Listening
    86%
    #4
    Speaking
    80%
    #5
    Judgment and Decision Making
    74%
    #6
    Reading Comprehension
    66%
    #7
    Complex Problem Solving
    60%
    #8
    Management of Financial Resources
    54%
    #9
    Active Learning
    46%
    #10
    Writing
    40%

    Skills Overview

    Critical Thinking
    advanced5.0
    100%
    Mathematics
    advanced4.7
    94%
    Active Listening
    intermediate4.3
    86%
    Speaking
    intermediate4.0
    80%
    Judgment and Decision Making
    intermediate3.7
    74%
    Reading Comprehension
    basic3.3
    66%
    Complex Problem Solving
    advanced3.0
    60%
    Management of Financial Resources
    basic2.7
    54%

    Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

    Filter:
    Sort by:

    Critical Thinking

    advanced
    Importance100%
    abilities
    5.0/5.0

    Mathematics

    advanced
    Importance94%
    skills
    4.7/5.0

    Active Listening

    intermediate
    Importance86%
    skills
    4.3/5.0

    Speaking

    intermediate
    Importance80%
    skills
    4.0/5.0

    Judgment and Decision Making

    intermediate
    Importance74%
    abilities
    3.7/5.0

    Reading Comprehension

    basic
    Importance66%
    abilities
    3.3/5.0

    Complex Problem Solving

    advanced
    Importance60%
    abilities
    3.0/5.0

    Management of Financial Resources

    basic
    Importance54%
    skills
    2.7/5.0

    Active Learning

    basic
    Importance46%
    abilities
    2.3/5.0

    Writing

    basic
    Importance40%
    skills
    2.0/5.0

    Highly Transferable Skills

    These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

    Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
    5 shared skills
    Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
    5 shared skills
    Statisticians82%
    5 shared skills
    Cost Estimators82%
    5 shared skills
    Environmental Economists82%
    5 shared skills
    Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers82%
    5 shared skills

    Skills by Career Stage

    Entry Level

    Must Have:
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    Learn on the Job:
    • Management of Financial Resources
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Complex Problem Solving

    Mid Career

    Expected:
    • Mathematics
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Critical Thinking

    Senior Level

    Mastery Required:
    • Mathematics
    • Active Listening
    • Speaking
    • Critical Thinking
    • Judgment and Decision Making

    Skill Development Tips

    • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
    • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
    • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
    • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

    What technology will you use?

    Technology & Digital Skills

    Essential technology proficiencies for Budget Analysts

    Technology Intensity
    Very High

    Digital Literacy Requirements

    This career requires expert digital literacy

    1
    Basic
    2
    Intermediate
    3
    Advanced
    4
    Expert

    Key Digital Competencies:

    Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
    🔥

    Hot Technologies in Demand

    These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

    Microsoft Access

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Structured query language SQL

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Visual Basic

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft SharePoint

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Outlook

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Office software

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft PowerPoint

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Excel

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Microsoft Word

    🔥 Hot Tech

    Technology Stack

    Technology Stack Overview

    Key technologies used in this career

    Microsoft Access
    Structured query language SQL
    Microsoft Visual Basic
    Microsoft SharePoint
    Microsoft Outlook
    Microsoft Office software
    Microsoft PowerPoint
    Microsoft Excel
    Microsoft Word

    📚 Technology Learning Resources

    Recommended Certifications

    • Vendor-specific software certifications
    • Industry-recognized technology credentials
    • Professional development courses

    Online Learning Platforms

    • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
    • Coursera - University-level programs
    • Udemy - Practical skills training

    💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

    • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
    • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
    • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
    • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

    What's the work environment like?

    🏢
    Location
    MOSTLY INDOOR
    💪
    Physical Demand
    HIGH
    👥
    Team Orientation
    CONSTANT TEAM
    🤝
    Customer Interaction
    CONSTANT

    💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

    Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

    • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
    • Can you meet high physical demands?
    • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
    • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

    What are the key tasks?

    Tasks & Responsibilities

    13
    Core Tasks
    8
    Daily Tasks
    20
    Work Activities
    0
    Emerging Tasks
    Filter:
    Sort by:
    Analysis & Evaluation (3)Management & Supervision (3)General Responsibilities (6)Operations & Execution (1)
    1

    Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    100%
    Analysis & Evaluation100% perform
    2

    Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    98%
    Management & Supervision97% perform
    3

    Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    96%
    Management & Supervision94% perform
    4

    Match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    94%
    General Responsibilities91% perform
    5

    Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    92%
    General Responsibilities88% perform
    6

    Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    90%
    General Responsibilities85% perform
    7

    Seek new ways to improve efficiency and increase profits.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    88%
    General Responsibilities82% perform
    8

    Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.

    🔴
    Daily
    Importance:
    86%
    Analysis & Evaluation79% perform
    9

    Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.

    🟡
    Weekly
    Importance:
    84%
    General Responsibilities76% perform
    10

    Perform cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, review financial requests, or explore alternative financing methods.

    🟡
    Weekly
    Importance:
    82%
    Operations & Execution73% perform

    💡 Key Takeaways

    • Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
    • 54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
    • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

    What career paths are available?

    Career Pathways

    0
    Advancement Opportunities
    0
    Lateral Move Options
    0%
    Avg. Salary Increase

    Advancement Opportunities

    Typical career progression paths from Budget Analysts

    💡 Career Planning Tips

    • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
    • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
    • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
    • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

    Is this career right for you?

    Personality & Values Fit

    Is This Career Right for You?

    Budget Analysts professionals typically have a CEI Holland code and highly value working conditions

    CConventional
    EEnterprising
    IInvestigative

    Important Personality Traits

    Work styles that contribute to success as a Budget Analysts

    Attention to Detail

    Critical

    Attention to Detail

    Importance Level4.89

    Integrity

    Critical

    Integrity

    Importance Level4.78

    Analytical Thinking

    Critical

    Analytical Thinking

    Importance Level4.70

    Adaptability/Flexibility

    Very Important

    Adaptability/Flexibility

    Importance Level4.24

    Persistence

    Very Important

    Persistence

    Importance Level4.24

    Cooperation

    Very Important

    Cooperation

    Importance Level4.23

    Complete Work Styles Profile

    Attention to Detail
    4.9
    Integrity
    4.8
    Analytical Thinking
    4.7
    Adaptability/Flexibility
    4.2
    Persistence
    4.2
    Cooperation
    4.2
    Achievement/Effort
    4.2
    Initiative
    4.2
    Stress Tolerance
    4.2
    Dependability
    4.1

    💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

    • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
    • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
    • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
    • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

    What education is required?

    Education Level

    Bachelor's degree or higher
    Typical duration: 4 years

    Preparation Level

    Job Zone 4
    Considerable Preparation Needed

    Experience Needed

    A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

    📚 Education Requirement

    Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

    Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

    Training:

    Significant preparation with related work experience

    💼 Experience Requirement

    A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

    Common pathways to gain experience:

    • Bachelor's degree in related field
    • Several years of work experience
    • Professional certifications often required
    4

    Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

    Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

    Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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