Budget analysts held about 56,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of budget analysts were as follows:
| Federal government | 21% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 13 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 11 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 11 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 10 |
Although budget analysts usually work in offices, some may travel to get budget details firsthand or to verify funding allocations.
Work Schedules
Most budget analysts work full time, and overtime is sometimes required during final reviews of budgets. The pressures of deadlines and tight work schedules can be stressful.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required to become a budget analyst. Courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful.
Education
Employers generally require budget analysts to have at least a bachelor's degree. Because developing a budget requires strong numerical and analytical skills, courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful. Federal, state, and local governments have varying requirements, but usually require a bachelor's degree in one of many areas, such as accounting, finance, business, public administration, economics, statistics, political science, or sociology.
Sometimes, budget-related or finance-related work experience can be substituted for formal education.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Government budget analysts may earn the Certified Government Financial Manager credential from the Association of Government Accountants . To earn this certification, candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, 24 credit hours of study in financial management, and 2 years of professional-level experience in governmental financial management. They must also pass a series of exams. To keep the certification, budget analysts must take 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years.
Budget analysts typically have an interest in the Thinking, Persuading and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Thinking or Persuading or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a budget analyst, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Budget analysts should also possess the following specific qualities:
Analytical skills. Budget analysts must be able to process a variety of information, evaluate costs and benefits, and solve complex problems.
Communication skills. Budget analysts need strong communication skills because they often have to explain and defend their analyses and recommendations in meetings and legislative committee hearings.
Detail oriented. Creating an efficient budget requires careful analysis of each budget item.
Math skills. Most budget analysts need math skills and should be able to use certain software, including spreadsheets, database functions, and financial analysis programs.
Writing skills. Budget analysts must present technical information in writing that is understandable for the intended audience.
The median annual wage for budget analysts was $76,540 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,230, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $116,510.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for budget analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Federal government | $83,070 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 82,830 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 72,880 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 67,760 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 67,230 |
Most budget analysts work full time, and overtime is sometimes required during final reviews of budgets. The pressures of deadlines and tight work schedules can be stressful.
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 4 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Demand for efficient use of public funds at the federal, state, and local levels will lead to continued demand for budget analysts. Although many states are facing budget shortfalls, employment of these workers should remain steady. Because budget analysts are responsible for managing the allocation of resources, the need for these workers remains even during times of tight budgets.
Job Prospects
Since this occupation has relatively few job openings due to separations, jobseekers are likely to face competition for the limited number of budget analyst positions.
For information about the Government Financial Manager certification, visit
Association of Government Accountants