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Budget Analyst I Salary in the United States

How much does a Budget Analyst I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Budget Analyst I in the United States is $65,580 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Budget Analyst I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,772
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,661 to $72,485
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,183
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Budget Analyst I Salaries

A Budget Analyst I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Budget Analyst I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Budget Analyst I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Budget Analyst I (0-2 years): $65,580
  • Budget Analyst II (2-4 years): $79,840
  • Budget Analyst III (4-7 years): $89,631
  • Budget Analyst IV (7+ years): $114,269
  • Budgeting Supervisor (7+ years): $117,844
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Budget Analyst I0-2 years$65,580
Budget Analyst II2-4 years$79,840
Budget Analyst III4-7 years$89,631
Budget Analyst IV7+ years$114,269
Budgeting Supervisor7+ years$117,844
View as Graph

How Do Budget Analyst Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Budget Analyst Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,610.
  • California: $72,335.
  • Massachusetts: $71,371.

Top Paying Cities for Budget Analyst I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $82,716
  • San Francisco: $81,810
  • Oakland: $80,086

What Skills Can Increase a Budget Analyst I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 20.18% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Financial Statements (Mentioned in 1.5% Job Postings): Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
  • CPA (Mentioned in 1.03% Job Postings): A CPA, or Certified Public Accountant, is a trusted financial advisor who helps individuals, businesses, and other organizations plan and reach their financial goals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 20.18%
Financial Statements 1.5%
CPA 1.03%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Budget Analyst I's salary.

  • Tableau: Can increase your salary by up to 50%.
  • SQL: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Tableau $98,370
50%
SQL $82,631
26%
Consulting $74,105
13%
Get Latest Data

Budget Analyst I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Budget Analyst I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,413. While startup companies pay approximate $62,106.

Budget Analyst I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $62,106
Growth Stage 51~500 $65,684
Established 501~5000 $70,893
Enterprise 5000+ $73,413

Budget Analyst I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Budget Analyst I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Telecom and Retail & Wholesale sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Budget Analyst positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Budget Analyst I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Budget Analyst I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Telecom$72,138$35.010%
Retail & Wholesale$71,482$34.09%
MFG Nondurable$70,826$34.08%
Media$70,171$34.07%
Insurance$69,515$33.06%

How Education impacts an Budget Analyst I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Budget Analyst I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Budget Analyst I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,170 and $67,232.

Budget Analyst I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Budget Analyst I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 4.3%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 60.3%
Masters 31.1%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

Budget Analyst I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Budget Analyst I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$60,661
Average $65,580/year
$72,485
$5,055
Average $5,465/month
$6,040
$1,167
Average $1,261/week
$1,394
$29
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,485 $6,040 $1,394 $35
Average $65,580 $5,465 $1,261 $32
25th Percentile $60,661 $5,055 $1,167 $29

Budget Analyst I Salary Growth & Career Path

Budget Analyst I

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Advancement

For a Budget Analyst I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Budget Analyst II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $79,840 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Budget Analyst I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Budget Analyst I

Here are companies hiring for Budget Analyst I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Budget Analyst I

1. Where can a Budget Analyst I earn the most?

A Budget Analyst I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Budget Analyst I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Budget Analyst I is $82,716.

2. What is the highest pay for Budget Analyst I?

The highest pay for Budget Analyst I is $78,772.

3. What is the lowest pay for Budget Analyst I?

The lowest pay for Budget Analyst I is $56,183.

4. What are the responsibilities of Budget Analyst I?

Monitors and analyzes accounting allocation and spending data to determine financial resources required to develop budgets. Tracks expenses, inventories, and budget balances. Measures actual performance against budget. Prepares forecasting reports and trend analysis. Develops recommendations for budget allocations that conform with budgetary policies and limits. Utilizes financial modeling and data analytics tools. Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Budget Analyst I?

The Telecom industry offers the highest average compensation for Budget Analyst I roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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