Business and finance
Budget analyst
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
Median pay
$91,640
Growth to 2035
+2%
little or no change
Openings a year
2,900
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Budget analyst
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Budget analyst: 40% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Budget Analyst · Budget and Policy Analyst · Budget Coordinator · Budget Officer · Budget Planning Analyst · Cost Analyst · Financial Services Officer · Fiscal Analyst
Outlook and AI
Budget analysts held 50,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 51,300 by 2035 (+2%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).
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