Business & Finance
Budget Analysts
Also called: Budget Analyst, Budget and Policy Analyst, Budget Coordinator, Budget Officer
US median pay
$91,640
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
2,900
50,400 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Management of Financial Resources3.4/5
- Systems Analysis3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.0/5
- Coordination2.9/5
Knowledge
- Economics and Accounting4.4/5
- Mathematics4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administration and Management3.7/5
- Administrative3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree77%
- High school diploma13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.