Budget Analysts vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $18,150 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 26.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $40,750 | +$19,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $51,970 | +$20,270 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $69,780 | +$18,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $95,940 | +$14,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $129,480 | +$5,160 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $80,310 | +$13,610 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Public Relations Specialists?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $18,150 (26.0% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Budget Analysts and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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