Budget And Policy Analyst Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Budget And Policy Analyst in the United States is $118,330 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $142,023
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $99,601 to $130,732
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $82,550

Key Factors That Influence Budget And Policy Analyst Salaries

A Budget And Policy Analyst'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 And Policy Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Budget And Policy Analyst'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $119,630
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $146,238
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $169,125
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $201,963
  • Expert (over 8 years): $175,552
Levels Salary
Budget An... Level Budget And Policy Analyst$119,630
Pilot II Level Budget And Policy Analyst$146,238
Pilot III... Level Budget And Policy Analyst$169,125
Pilot IV Level Budget And Policy Analyst$201,963
Chief Pil... Level Budget And Policy Analyst$175,552

How Do Budget And Policy Analyst 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 And Policy Analysts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $131,015.
  • California: $130,518.
  • Massachusetts: $128,779.

Top Paying Cities for Budget And Policy Analysts

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: $149,250
  • San Francisco: $147,615
  • Oakland: $144,505

What Skills Can Increase a Budget And Policy Analyst's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 15% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Aviation (Mentioned in 5% Job Postings): Aviation is the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. Aircraft includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air balloons and airships.
  • Counterintelligence (Mentioned in 5% Job Postings): Counterintelligence is an activity aimed at protecting an agency's intelligence program from an opposition's intelligence service.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 15%
Aviation 5%
Counterintelligence 5%

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 And Policy Analyst's salary.

  • Security Clearance: Can increase your salary by up to 35%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Security Clearance $159,746
35%
Leadership $158,562
34%
Planning $145,546
23%

Budget And Policy Analyst Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Budget And Policy Analyst roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 90% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 45% above the average. In contrast, Budget And Policy Analyst positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Budget And Policy Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Budget And Policy Analyst

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$171,578$82.045%
Business Services$159,746$77.035%
Construction$147,912$71.025%
Energy & Utilities$136,080$65.015%
Healthcare$124,246$60.05%

How Education impacts a Budget And Policy Analyst's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Budget And Policy Analysts enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Budget And Policy Analyst with a No Diploma is between $111,595 and $121,843).

Budget And Policy Analyst Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Budget And Policy Analyst
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 14.0%
High School 14.0%
Associates 16.3%
Bachelors 65.1%
Masters 4.7%
Doctorate 0.0%

Budget And Policy Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Budget And Policy Analyst'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 September 01, 2026
$99,601
Average $118,330/year
$130,732
$8,300
Average $9,861/month
$10,894
$1,915
Average $2,276/week
$2,514
$48
Average $57/hour
$63
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $130,732 $10,894 $2,514 $63
Average $118,330 $9,861 $2,276 $57
25th Percentile $99,601 $8,300 $1,915 $48

Most common benefits for Budget And Policy Analyst

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

Common company salaries for Budget And Policy Analyst

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

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FAQ about Budget And Policy Analyst

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Budget And Policy Analyst?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Budget And Policy Analyst roles, with salaries approximately 45% 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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