Life As a Budget Analyst
Position Description Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.
What Do Budget Analysts Do On a Daily Basis?
- Analyze monthly department budgeting and accounting reports to maintain expenditure controls.
- Compile and analyze accounting records and other data to determine the financial resources required to implement a program.
- Testify before examining and fund-granting authorities, clarifying and promoting the proposed budgets.
- Match appropriations for specific programs with appropriations for broader programs, including items for emergency funds.
- Interpret budget directives and establish policies for carrying out directives.
- Consult with managers to ensure that budget adjustments are made in accordance with program changes.
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What a Budget Analyst Should Know
When polled, Budget Analysts say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Analyst
- Budget Engineer
- Budget Specialist
- Budget Analyst
- Cost Analyst
Budget Analyst Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 58,400 jobs for Budget Analyst in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,800 new jobs for Budget Analyst by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 4,800 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Budget Analyst are Utah, Nevada, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Vermont, or New Hampshire. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Budget Analyst
The typical yearly salary for Budget Analysts is somewhere between $49,860 and $116,300.
Budget Analysts who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Budget Analysts in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $82,480 |
Alaska | $79,650 |
Arizona | $71,930 |
Arkansas | $51,730 |
California | $90,780 |
Colorado | $83,060 |
Connecticut | $82,880 |
Delaware | $72,490 |
District of Columbia | $100,510 |
Florida | $73,270 |
Georgia | $70,050 |
Hawaii | $82,840 |
Idaho | $66,950 |
Illinois | $75,700 |
Indiana | $69,840 |
Iowa | $75,100 |
Kansas | $68,440 |
Kentucky | $57,310 |
Louisiana | $67,710 |
Maine | $73,100 |
Maryland | $89,940 |
Massachusetts | $85,320 |
Michigan | $76,980 |
Minnesota | $79,710 |
Mississippi | $62,940 |
Missouri | $69,220 |
Montana | $62,740 |
Nebraska | $59,350 |
Nevada | $70,490 |
New Hampshire | $75,710 |
New Jersey | $83,710 |
New Mexico | $76,880 |
New York | $78,540 |
North Carolina | $72,490 |
North Dakota | $70,030 |
Ohio | $74,770 |
Oklahoma | $71,120 |
Oregon | $74,970 |
Pennsylvania | $73,220 |
Rhode Island | $84,720 |
South Carolina | $70,090 |
South Dakota | $63,380 |
Tennessee | $70,710 |
Texas | $77,900 |
Utah | $75,610 |
Vermont | $70,500 |
Virginia | $91,000 |
Washington | $76,210 |
West Virginia | $67,460 |
Wisconsin | $72,380 |
Wyoming | $68,630 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Budget Analysts
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Budget Analysts may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Sharepoint
- Structured query language SQL
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Graphics software
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Hyperion
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
- Fund accounting software
- Statistical software
- Presentation software
How to Become a Budget Analyst
What education or degrees do I need to become a Budget Analyst?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Budget Analysts?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Budget Analyst might also be interested in the following careers:
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Logistics Analysts
- Credit Analysts
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents
Those who work as a Budget Analyst sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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