Budget Analysts vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $22,620 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 34.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $42,380 | +$18,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $53,090 | +$19,150 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $65,310 | +$22,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $82,300 | +$28,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $105,420 | +$29,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $72,370 | +$21,550 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
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 Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Food Service Managers?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,620 (34.6% 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 Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Budget Analysts and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Food Service Managers earns $65,310. 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