Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using numbers, measurements, formulas, quantitative reasoning, and mathematical concepts.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Budget analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful. PayThe median annual wage for budget analysts was $91,640 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,900 openings for budget analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for budget analysts. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of budget analysts with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for budget analysts was $91,640 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,900 openings for budget analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for budget analysts. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of budget analysts with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,900 openings for budget analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for budget analysts. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of budget analysts with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Budget analysts help public and private organizations plan their finances.
Work Environment
Budget analysts work in government agencies, private companies, and universities. Most work full time.
How to Become a Budget Analyst
Budget analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful.
Pay
The median annual wage for budget analysts was $91,640 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,900 openings for budget analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for budget analysts.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of budget analysts with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Budget analysts work in government agencies, private companies, and universities. Most work full time.
How to Become a Budget Analyst
Budget analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful.
Pay
The median annual wage for budget analysts was $91,640 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,900 openings for budget analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for budget analysts.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of budget analysts with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for budget analysts.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of budget analysts with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about budget analysts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.