Budget analysts

SOC Code: 13-2031
Also known as:
Budget Administrator (Budget Admin), Budget Analyst, Budget and Policy Analyst, Budget Coordinator, Budget Engineer
Median Annual Salary
$87,930
+1.0% growth (2024-2034)
3K
Openings/Year
50K
Current Jobs

What Budget analysts Do

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

💰 Salary

$87,930
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+1.0%
As fast as average

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

3K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

50,400

Projected Employment (2034)

51,000

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Top Skills Required

Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
  • Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
  • Review operating budgets to analyze trends affecting budget needs.
  • Compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program.
  • Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations.
  • Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.
  • Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.
  • Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.
  • Interpret budget directives and establish policies for carrying out directives.
  • Perform cost-benefit analyses to compare operating programs, review financial requests, or explore alternative financing methods.

Technology & Tools

Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Power BI Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Word SAP software

📚 Entry-Level Education

Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Budget analysts

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a budget analysts:

Accounting

58,956 degrees awarded • 1,356 colleges offer this program
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Finance, General

49,828 degrees awarded • 745 colleges offer this program
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Accounting and Finance

3,502 degrees awarded • 131 colleges offer this program
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Public Finance

63 degrees awarded • 6 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a Budget analysts

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become budget analysts.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Georgia Athens, GA 813 A
2 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 745 A
3 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 516 A
4 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN 377 A
5 Northwestern University Evanston, IL 361 A
6 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO 295 A
7 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 1,564 B+
8 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 1,246 B+
9 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA 891 B+
10 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 886 B+
11 Florida International University Miami, FL 856 B+
12 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 805 B+
13 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 754 B+
14 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 650 B+
15 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 632 B+
16 Clemson University Clemson, SC 630 B+
17 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 609 B+
18 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 609 B+
19 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 598 B+
20 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL 569 B+

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do budget analysts make?
The median annual salary for budget analysts is $87,930.
What education do budget analysts need?
Most budget analysts positions require a bachelor's degree. Common degree programs include Accounting, Finance, General, Accounting and Finance.
Is becoming budget analysts a good career choice?
Budget analysts is projected to see +1.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 3,100 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for budget analysts?
Top colleges for aspiring budget analysts include University of Georgia, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Florida, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to budget analysts?
Budget analysts may also be known as: Budget Administrator (Budget Admin), Budget Analyst, Budget and Policy Analyst, Budget Coordinator, Budget Engineer, Budget Examiner, Budget Management Analyst, Budget Officer, Budget Planning Analyst, Budget Specialist, Cost Accountant, Cost Analyst, Financial Management Analyst, Financial Services Officer, Fiscal Agent, Fiscal Analyst, Fiscal Budget Analyst, Fiscal Officer, Program Analyst, Program Budget Analyst. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.