SalaryByCity

Budget Analysts vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Budget Analysts

$87,930

Median annual salary

47,170 employed nationally

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $14,680 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 16.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.

Salary Range Comparison

Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
$60,510$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileBudget AnalystsSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersDifference
10th Percentile$60,510$60,690$-180
25th Percentile$72,240$79,520$-7,280
Median (50th)$87,930$102,610$-14,680
75th Percentile$110,380$131,870$-21,490
90th Percentile$134,640$166,960$-32,320
Mean (Average)$93,920$110,260$-16,340

Employment Numbers

Budget Analysts

47,170

employed nationwide

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Budget Analysts

CityMedian
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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,680 (16.7% 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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
How many Budget Analysts and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $102,610. 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