Budget Analysts vs Computer Programmers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $10,740 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 12.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $162,090 for Computer Programmers.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
$52,190$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Computer Programmers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $52,190 | +$8,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $71,860 | +$380 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $98,670 | $-10,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $128,960 | $-18,580 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $162,090 | $-27,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $103,640 | $-9,720 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,740 (12.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
How many Budget Analysts and Computer Programmers jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 109,870 Computer Programmers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Programmers to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Computer Programmers earns $98,670. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS