Budget Analysts and Administrator Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Budget analysts and administrators are generally required to have a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree might also be required or preferred. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, public administration, economics, statistics, political science or sociology are all accepted. Candidates with strong analytic and policy analysis backgrounds are often preferred.
The Certified Government Financial Manager designation is granted by the Association of Government Accountants to government budget analysts and administrators employed at the Federal, State or local level. Candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, 24 hours of study in financial management and 2 years of experience in government. The candidates must also pass three exams.
Training and Education
Obtaining a bachelor's degree will help job seekers. Employees with four or more years of college are 78% of the total. An estimated 18% of budget analysts and administrators attended college at some level but did not pursue a 4-year degree. High school was enough education for 4% of workers.
Job Overview
Budget analysts and administrators develop, analyze and execute budgets, which are required for allocating current resources and estimating future financial needs. Efficient distribution of limited financial resources is always an important challenge for all organizations and this task would be almost impossible without budget analysts and administrators. They usually work in private industries, non-profit organizations and in the public sector.
As limited funds have led to downsizing and reconstruction in recent years, the role of budget analysts has widened. Apart from managing an organization’s budget, they are often involved in program performance evaluations, policy analysis and drafting budget related legislation. They also perform training sessions concerning new budget procedures.
Job Requirements
Organizations often look for candidates with a degree in business, since business courses stress both quantitative and analytical skills. Budget analysts and administrators should strictly abide by ethical laws. Integrity, objectivity and confidentiality are also crucial while dealing with financial information. Other important skills include mathematical skills, software handling skills and strong oral and written communication skills, among others. Working under strict time constraints is also commonly required.
Nature of Work
In the absence of effective budget analysis and feedback about budgetary problems, many private and public organizations would not be able to survive. Budget analysts and administrators find ways to most efficiently distribute funds and other resources among various departments and programs. Budget analysts and administrators work in comfortable offices. Some of them travel to acquire budget details and verify funding allocation. Deadline pressures and tight work schedules can be stressful.
Area Job Conditions
Where are jobs most numerous? Olympia (Washington), Fairbanks (Alaska), and Fort Walton Beach (Florida). Least common? Nassau (New York), Gary (Indiana), and Minneapolis (Minnesota).
Salaries vary across the country, from highest in San Jose (California), San Francisco (California), and Oakland (California) to lowest in Erie (Pennsylvania), Gainesville (Florida), and McAllen (Texas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Whether by choice or necessity, 3% of budget analysts and administrators work part-time.
Budget Analysts and Administrators by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $62,000 | 130 | -41% |
| Huntsville | $77,000 | 540 | +497% |
| Mobile | $62,000 | 40 | -47% |
| Montgomery | $63,000 | 100 | +42% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $63,000 | 140 | +94% |
| Fairbanks | $59,000 | 50 | +313% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $68,000 | 570 | -28% |
| Tucson | $61,000 | 140 | -8% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $57,000 | 40 | -55% |
| Little Rock | $49,000 | 390 | +154% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $75,000 | 130 | +14% |
| Chico | $63,000 | 40 | +42% |
| Fresno | $58,000 | 220 | +55% |
| Los Angeles | $76,000 | 3,390 | +85% |
| Modesto | $76,000 | 60 | -10% |
| Oakland | $89,000 | 910 | +102% |
| Oxnard | $64,000 | 200 | +52% |
| Riverside | $62,000 | 550 | +1% |
| Sacramento | $71,000 | 810 | +108% |
| Salinas | $72,000 | 60 | -13% |
| San Diego | $76,000 | 980 | +66% |
| San Francisco | $85,000 | 990 | +121% |
| San Jose | $94,000 | 1,210 | +199% |
| Santa Ana | $81,000 | 890 | +36% |
| Santa Barbara | $74,000 | 100 | +38% |
| Santa Cruz | $73,000 | 90 | +150% |
| Santa Rosa | $80,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Stockton | $71,000 | 60 | -34% |
| Vallejo | $83,000 | 40 | -21% |
| Visalia | $63,000 | 60 | +5% |
| Yuba City | $64,000 | 40 | +173% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $77,000 | 40 | -39% |
| Colorado Springs | $70,000 | 180 | +62% |
| Denver | $74,000 | 880 | +56% |
| Fort Collins | $74,000 | 40 | -25% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $77,000 | 160 | -16% |
| Hartford | $77,000 | 670 | +160% |
| New Haven | $74,000 | 130 | +8% |
| Norwich | $66,000 | 40 | -23% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $55,000 | 60 | +195% |
| Wilmington | $69,000 | 80 | -45% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $87,000 | 4,320 | +293% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona | $59,000 | 50 | -24% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $63,000 | 130 | -59% |
| Fort Walton Beach | $66,000 | 170 | +444% |
| Gainesville | $53,000 | 140 | +172% |
| Jacksonville | $57,000 | 190 | -30% |
| Miami | $74,000 | 340 | -23% |
| Orlando | $63,000 | 220 | -52% |
| Palm Bay | $63,000 | 130 | +51% |
| Panama City | $62,000 | 30 | +8% |
| Pensacola | $59,000 | 30 | -53% |
| Sarasota | $61,000 | 50 | -54% |
| Tallahassee | $52,000 | 210 | +202% |
| Tampa | $66,000 | 500 | -3% |
| West Palm Beach | $53,000 | 170 | -27% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $71,000 | 1,060 | +1% |
| Augusta | $71,000 | 90 | +1% |
| Columbus | $60,000 | 90 | +93% |
| Macon | $55,000 | 40 | +7% |
| Savannah | $58,000 | 60 | -6% |
| Warner Robins | $76,000 | 60 | +183% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $67,000 | 330 | +68% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $65,000 | 90 | -22% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $75,000 | 1,020 | -40% |
| Springfield | $55,000 | 50 | +10% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $64,000 | 40 | -46% |
| Gary | $66,000 | 40 | -66% |
| Indianapolis | $66,000 | 320 | -21% |
| Lafayette | $60,000 | 40 | +30% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | 70 | -14% | |
| Des Moines | $66,000 | 140 | -4% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $70,000 | 40 | -14% |
| Wichita | $64,000 | 220 | +73% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $60,000 | 280 | +3% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $64,000 | 150 | -10% |
| New Orleans | $62,000 | 120 | -49% |
| Shreveport | $58,000 | 40 | -49% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $71,000 | 1,150 | +94% |
| Bethesda | $82,000 | 630 | +143% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $74,000 | 830 | +5% |
| Framingham | $74,000 | 70 | -1% |
| Lowell | $79,000 | 60 | +18% |
| Springfield | $69,000 | 80 | -39% |
| Worcester | $68,000 | 60 | -46% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $62,000 | 80 | +11% |
| Flint | $68,000 | 30 | -46% |
| Grand Rapids | $55,000 | 60 | -64% |
| Lansing | $65,000 | 840 | +871% |
| Warren | $76,000 | 130 | -73% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $73,000 | 250 | -69% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $57,000 | 50 | +11% |
| Jackson | $53,000 | 90 | -19% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | $50,000 | 70 | +131% |
| Kansas City | $61,000 | 560 | +22% |
| Springfield | $60,000 | 30 | -64% |
| St Louis | $69,000 | 940 | +56% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $62,000 | 30 | -14% |
| Missoula | $55,000 | 30 | +45% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 90 | +30% | |
| Omaha | $64,000 | 140 | -34% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $74,000 | 170 | -56% |
| Reno | $70,000 | 90 | +8% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $67,000 | 140 | -40% |
| Edison | $80,000 | 330 | -29% |
| Newark | $76,000 | 420 | -7% |
| Trenton | $74,000 | 190 | +91% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $71,000 | 290 | +69% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $65,000 | 560 | +178% |
| Buffalo | $67,000 | 100 | -60% |
| Nassau | $72,000 | 240 | -58% |
| New York | $67,000 | 1,060 | -55% |
| Poughkeepsie | $70,000 | 80 | -26% |
| Rochester | $61,000 | 90 | -60% |
| Syracuse | $61,000 | 60 | -57% |
| Utica | $67,000 | 30 | -44% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $53,000 | 40 | -48% |
| Charlotte | $72,000 | 240 | -38% |
| Durham | $69,000 | 80 | -34% |
| Fayetteville | $67,000 | 200 | +272% |
| Greensboro | $66,000 | 50 | -68% |
| Raleigh | $66,000 | 160 | -31% |
| Wilmington | $52,000 | 50 | -14% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $63,000 | 40 | -23% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $60,000 | 40 | -72% |
| Cincinnati | $73,000 | 220 | -52% |
| Cleveland | $75,000 | 170 | -63% |
| Columbus | $75,000 | 640 | +54% |
| Dayton | $76,000 | 220 | +29% |
| Toledo | $59,000 | 40 | -69% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $64,000 | 80 | +408% |
| Oklahoma City | $61,000 | 340 | +31% |
| Tulsa | $55,000 | 90 | -53% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $63,000 | 60 | 0% |
| Portland | $67,000 | 330 | -28% |
| Salem | $62,000 | 230 | +259% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $65,000 | 80 | -48% |
| Harrisburg | $63,000 | 300 | +111% |
| Philadelphia | $72,000 | 730 | -15% |
| Pittsburgh | $67,000 | 310 | -40% |
| Scranton | $63,000 | 50 | -57% |
| York | $74,000 | 70 | -9% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $58,000 | 250 | 0% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $58,000 | 120 | -6% |
| Columbia | $64,000 | 110 | -29% |
| Greenville | $62,000 | 60 | -55% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $58,000 | 30 | -50% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $65,000 | 60 | -40% |
| Clarksville | $62,000 | 70 | +117% |
| Knoxville | $71,000 | 80 | -46% |
| Memphis | $62,000 | 120 | -57% |
| Nashville | $65,000 | 300 | -10% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $57,000 | 40 | -11% |
| Austin | $59,000 | 550 | +55% |
| Beaumont | $55,000 | 50 | -28% |
| College Station | $57,000 | 30 | -22% |
| Dallas | $67,000 | 760 | -20% |
| El Paso | $63,000 | 150 | +25% |
| Fort Worth | $68,000 | 380 | -3% |
| Houston | $74,000 | 830 | -30% |
| Killeen | $64,000 | 90 | +64% |
| Lubbock | $48,000 | 90 | +68% |
| San Antonio | $67,000 | 610 | +55% |
| Wichita Falls | $62,000 | 30 | +36% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $71,000 | 180 | +107% |
| Salt Lake City | $68,000 | 210 | -23% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $61,000 | 40 | -15% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $66,000 | 50 | +40% |
| Richmond | $66,000 | 310 | +12% |
| Roanoke | $63,000 | 60 | -11% |
| Virginia Beach | $68,000 | 510 | +49% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton | $67,000 | 40 | +17% |
| Kennewick | $84,000 | 40 | -5% |
| Olympia | $65,000 | 200 | +383% |
| Seattle | $72,000 | 1,810 | +185% |
| Spokane | $62,000 | 50 | -44% |
| Tacoma | $68,000 | 150 | +28% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $64,000 | 210 | +40% |
| Milwaukee | $65,000 | 180 | -52% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $64,000 | 40 | +144% |