Budget Analysts vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $13,420 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 15.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$60,510$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $62,410 | $-1,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $78,300 | $-6,060 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $101,350 | $-13,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $132,050 | $-21,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $180,550 | $-45,910 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $116,490 | $-22,570 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
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 Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,420 (15.3% 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 Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Budget Analysts and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Financial Analysts earns $101,350. 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