Budget Analysts vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Budget Analysts professionals earn $53,350 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 154.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$134,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $25,600 | +$34,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $29,140 | +$43,100 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $34,580 | +$53,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $37,850 | +$72,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $47,930 | +$86,710 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $37,150 | +$56,770 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Retail Salespersons?
Budget Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $53,350 (154.3% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Budget Analysts and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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