Budget Analysts vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $10,860 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 14.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $46,330 | +$14,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $59,830 | +$12,410 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $77,070 | +$10,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $99,630 | +$10,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $128,640 | +$6,000 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $83,160 | +$10,760 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
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 Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Cost Estimators?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,860 (14.1% 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 Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Budget Analysts and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. 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