Budget Analysts
Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
- Median pay
- $91,640
- Doing it now
- 50,400
- By 2035
- Up 1.9%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
a year
across the country
2,900 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Direct the preparation of regular and special budget reports.
- Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.
- Match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds.
- Provide advice and technical assistance with cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
- Summarize budgets and submit recommendations for the approval or disapproval of funds requests.
- Seek new ways to improve efficiency and increase profits.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Accounting and Related ServicesSee 1,192 colleges that teach it
- Finance and Financial Management ServicesSee 765 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Organised and precise
Leading and persuading
Analytical and curious
Careers like this one
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $91,640 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.