SOC: 13-2031 OOH: U049
Budget Analysts Quick Stats |
|
Total Jobs in 2016 | 58,400 |
Expected Growth | 7% (As fast as average) |
New Jobs To Be Added from 2016 to 2026 |
3,800 |
Median Pay | $55,000 to $74,999 |
Employment of budget analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Demand for efficient use of public funds at the federal, state, and local levels will lead to continued demand for budget analysts. Although many states are facing budget shortfalls, employment of these workers should remain steady. Because budget analysts are responsible for managing the allocation of resources, the need for these workers remains even during times of tight budgets.
Since this occupation has relatively few job openings due to separations, jobseekers are likely to face competition for the limited number of budget analyst positions.
The median annual wage for budget analysts was $73,840 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $111,460.
In May 2016, the median annual wages for budget analysts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Professional, scientific, and technical services | $81,550 |
Federal government | 78,750 |
Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 69,420 |
Educational services; state, local, and private | 64,890 |
State government, excluding education and hospitals | 62,950 |
Most budget analysts work full time, and overtime is sometimes required during final reviews of budgets. The pressures of deadlines and tight work schedules can be stressful.
Compared with workers in all occupations, budget analysts had a higher percentage of workers who belonged to a union in 2016.
Budget analysts help public and private institutions organize their finances. They prepare budget reports and monitor institutional spending.
Budget analysts typically do the following:
Budget analysts advise various institutions—including governments, universities, and businesses—on how to organize their finances. They prepare annual and special reports and evaluate budget proposals. They analyze data to determine the costs and benefits of various programs, and they recommend funding levels based on their findings. Although government officials or top executives in a private company usually make the final decision on an organization’s budget, they rely on the work of budget analysts to prepare the information for that decision.
Sometimes, budget analysts use cost–benefit analyses to review financial requests, assess program tradeoffs, and explore alternative funding methods. Budget analysts also may examine past budgets and research economic and financial developments that affect the organization’s income and expenditures. Budget analysts may recommend cutting spending on particular programs or redistributing extra funds.
Throughout the year, budget analysts oversee spending to ensure compliance with the budget and determine whether changes to funding levels are needed for certain programs. Analysts also evaluate programs to determine whether they are producing the desired results.
In addition to providing technical analysis, budget analysts must communicate their recommendations effectively to officials within the organization. For example, if there is a difference between the approved budget and actual spending, budget analysts may write a report explaining the variations and recommend changes to reconcile the differences.
Budget analysts working in government may attend committee hearings to explain their recommendations to legislators. Occasionally, budget analysts may evaluate how well a program is doing, provide policy analysis, and draft budget-related legislation.
Budget analysts held about 58,400 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of budget analysts were as follows:
Federal government | 20% |
Educational services; state, local, and private | 15 |
State government, excluding education and hospitals | 11 |
Professional, scientific, and technical services | 11 |
Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 10 |
Although budget analysts usually work in offices, some may travel to get budget details firsthand or to verify funding allocations.
Most budget analysts work full time, and overtime is sometimes required during final reviews of budgets. The pressures of deadlines and tight work schedules can be stressful.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required to become a budget analyst. Courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful.
Employers generally require budget analysts to have at least a bachelor's degree. Because developing a budget requires strong numerical and analytical skills, courses in accounting, economics, and statistics are helpful. Federal, state, and local governments have varying requirements, but usually require a bachelor's degree in one of many areas, such as accounting, finance, business, public administration, economics, statistics, political science, or sociology.
Sometimes, budget-related or finance-related work experience can be substituted for formal education.
Government budget analysts may earn the Certified Government Financial Manager credential from the Association of Government Accountants. To earn this certification, candidates must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, 24 credit hours of study in financial management, and 2 years of professional-level experience in governmental financial management. They must also pass a series of exams. To keep the certification, budget analysts must take 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years.
Analytical skills. Budget analysts must be able to process a variety of information, evaluate costs and benefits, and solve complex problems.
Communication skills. Budget analysts need strong communication skills because they often have to explain and defend their analyses and recommendations in meetings and legislative committee hearings.
Detail oriented. Creating an efficient budget requires careful analysis of each budget item.
Math skills. Most budget analysts need math skills and should be able to use certain software, including spreadsheets, database functions, and financial analysis programs.
Writing skills. Budget analysts must present technical information in writing that is understandable to the intended audience.
"Budget Analysts" SOC: 13-2031 OOH Code: U049