Budget analysts
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Budget analysts in the United States earn a median salary of $91,640 per year — about $44 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 50K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +1%.
AI & Automation Risk
Budget analysts perform work that is almost entirely digital, involving data analysis, financial modeling, and report writing—all areas where AI is highly capable. While the role requires human negotiation and communication with stakeholders, the core tasks of consolidating budgets, identifying discrepancies, and performing cost-benefit analyses are highly susceptible to automation and significant productivity gains through AI.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IABEST VALUE | $134,850 | Below avg (91.5) | $147,363 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $127,860 | Average (100.9) | $126,745 |
| Huntsville, AL | $113,400 | Below avg (93.1) | $121,841 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $131,730 | Above avg (110.4) | $119,296 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,050 | Above avg (108.9) | $114,847 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,020 | Below avg (89.1) | $114,528 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $101,360 | Below avg (92.0) | $110,200 |
| Gainesville, GA | $106,610 | Below avg (96.8) | $110,173 |
| Tulsa, OK | $97,980 | Below avg (89.2) | $109,826 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $95,930 | Below avg (90.0) | $106,534 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $97,470 | Below avg (91.9) | $106,057 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $106,280 | Average (100.8) | $105,478 |
| Greeley, CO | $103,720 | Average (100.2) | $103,538 |
| Topeka, KS | $91,350 | Below avg (88.8) | $102,848 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $95,200 | Below avg (92.7) | $102,704 |